Exploring Greece, Israel, and Jordan— Part Thirty One

Exploring Greece, Israel, and Jordan— Part Thirty One July 30, 2018

Monks, in the old days, were hauled up these bluffs in baskets and with pulleys, as were supplies. No small feat even now. Today, the lifestyle is less strenuous in most cases. First, we must consider the imposing locale itself, which was picked precisely because it was ‘far from the madding crowd’, a good place for retreat, prayer, contemplation, study.


We had to climb 120 steps straight up to get to the monastery we were visiting. It is not a journey for the acrophobic. The views from the monastery are quite worth the trip however….
Here’s the ancient pulley and basket system, and also a giant water/wine cistern that got hauled up to the top….

Here’s the evidence of monks going into isolation in the side of cliff….
Here’s the way monks were called to prayer, or worship, or dinner….. You bang on the board or on the metal. Here’s the evidence of ongoing repair and enhancement….

Here’s me at the top with my wife and our Russian gal Yuliya, and another picture with my friends James, our guide…

There is a nice small monk museum in this monastery which chronicles life there in both photos, and art….
Though Meteora is off the main tour route, it is well worth the visit for Christian who are pilgrims, not just tourists.


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