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The content on this website is maintained by
Robert Myallis, pastor at Zion's Lutheran Church, of Jonestown, PA.
The photos were taken by
Emily Myallis, a diaconal minister in the ELCA who also serves at Zion's Lutheran.
This website and travel to
Greece was made possible by a grant from the
Fund for Theological Education,
which provides grants to assist the education and formation of
Christian leaders from numerous denominations.
Bible quotes are taken from the New
Revised Standard Version, unless cites otherwise.
The above photo of Greece comes from
NASA; The icon of Saint Paul comes from George Mitrevski's website. |
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Agora
The agora (market) in Athens functioned
as more than a place where goods were bought and sold. It served
as a testing ground for ideas, where people could come and meet.
This picture is of the main stop (portico), the stoa of Attalas,
which housed various stores and served as the primary
marketplace.
How is the agora and the stoa of
Attalas significant
for understanding the world
of Paul?
This is likely where Paul would have begun the debate with other
philosophers recorded in the Bible (in the book of Acts). As
Luke (the author of Acts) writes:
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply
distressed to see that the city was full of idols [note: one can
see many statues to gods around the agora]. So he argued in the
synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and also in
the marketplace (lit: agora) every day with those who happened
to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were
conversing with him. (Acts, chapter 17:16-18)
To continue on Paul's journey, move the
Areopagus; to continue learning about the ancient agora,
read on.
The stoa of Attalas was a gift from the King of Pergamon (modern
northern Turkey) in the 2nd century BC. Consider the fame of
Athens that a foreign king would want to build a market in
Athens! One discovers this all around Athens where
foreigners built monuments here.
Third, religion, philosophy, government and trade were all
connected. The temples, philosophical debating platforms,
governmental offices and markets all stand within feet of one
another. Paul argues with these philosophers with a stone's
throw of the temple to Posidon (the god of the sea), the
birthplace of stoicism (a major Greek world view) and in the
shadow of the acropolis. This interaction helps explain the
rapid expansion of Christianity in the 1st century – trades
people, such as Paul, would come into contact with many people
and could communicate their faith in Jesus Christ.
source:
info on construction of agora; Spyrou, M.A.
Athens. General Information. Greek National Tourist Organisation.
Pegasos Ekdotiki Ektypotiki Athens: 1999. |
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