Areopagus Hill (Mars Hill), Athens, Greece
The year was 2016 AD and I was visiting the historical site called the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Somebody asked where was Mars Hill? I had a tourist map so I decided to have a look. What was the significance off that location? It was where Paul preached a Sermon in 51 AD. The message can be found in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles chapter 17 from verses 16 to 34.
It was 51 AD and the Apostle Paul was in Athens. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was over 15 years ago. Paul was spreading the news off the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in his Missionary journeys in Asia Minor and Europe. Whilst in Athens Paul noticed that there were a lot of idols. Paul had to minister to the Jews and gentile worshippers in the Synagogue and in the market place day by day. The philosophers in Athens asked Paul to explain this new doctrine at Areopagus Hill (Mars Hill). Paul preached the Sermon at Areopagus.
Currently there are just under nine thousand eight hundred (9800) Churches in Greece. Some of the Churches sit on very high peaks. The work of Paul and other Christians through the centuries established the work of Christ in Greece.
Take a visit to the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens to find out about the art of that period.
Paul did not come to Greece as a tourist. Paul came to convert Greece to Christianity. Looking out from the Hotel you can see the Acropolis in the distance and the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. What follows below are images of the ruins in Greece. This is what Paul saw over 2000 years ago. Try and imagine them as complete structures because some of the buildings are in need of major repair.
Looking from the Acropolis you can see Areopagus Hill which took the title Mars Hill when the Romans conquered. Paul ministered and the people listened.
Christianity is proclaimed by The Greek Orthodox Church in Greece and other parts of the World where the Greek Diasporas is found.
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”
Acts 17 : 30 – 32
The Bible, New King James Version