Meteora, Greece

 

Rock Formations called Meteora 

Picture taken by  President Burdon

Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The name means "lofty", "elevated", and is etymologically related to meteor As early as the eleventh century, monks occupied the caverns of Meteora. However, monasteries were not built until the fourteenth century, when the monks sought somewhere to hide in the face of an increasing number of Turkish attacks on Greece. At this time, access to the top was via removable ladders or windlass. Access to the monasteries was originally (and deliberately) difficult, requiring either long ladders latched together or large nets used to haul up both goods and people. Until the seventeenth century, the primary means of conveying goods and people from these eyries was by means of baskets and ropes. During World War II the site was bombed. Many art treasures were stolen.

At their peak in the 16th century, there were 24 monasteries at Meteora in Greece. They were created to serve monks and nuns following the teachings of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Much of the architecture of these buildings is Athonite in origin. Today there are six still functioning (four of men, two of women) with each housing fewer than ten individuals., while the remainder are largely in ruin. Perched onto high cliffs, they are now accessible by staircases and pathways cut into the rock formations.

Wikipedia

Meterora was a continuation of our senior missionary retreat.  It was a beautiful place.  We were told by our guide that they get 6,000-7,000 visitors a day during the summer.  We could see where they were building new big roads to accommodate the increase of tourists.  Our guide told us that 80% of the food

 ( produce and meat)sold and served was local.  

Adriatic South Senior Missionaries and Leaders

Sunset from our hotel

Long ago when Kim was working at BYU, we had someone tell us about the monasteries and he showed us pictures of his experiences with students that he had taken to Greece.  I thought it was amazing and never imagined that one day I would actually see these monasteries.  They truly are unique but the best part was learning how they were built.  Our guide said it wasn't the monks but the villagers that worked to build the monasteries. They wanted to serve the monks who removed themselves from the villages and led a life of solitude in the caves and then monasteries.   

President Hinkley reminds us: “May the real meaning of the gospel distill into our hearts that we may realize that our lives, given us by God our Father, are to be used in the service of others.”

We are grateful to the opportunity to focus on others as we serve in Greece and  for the example of all our senior missionaries that have left family, homes, and grandchildren to serve others.  We have felt the blessings and our love for the Greek people continues to grow.  It was a wonderful retreat and experience as we were able to see so much of Greece as we drove through the towns and winding roads.  

The hotel said it had exercise facilities.  This is what we found.  We had a great time listening to the birds, dogs barking, and the bells of the churches ringing as we "worked out".