This temple is dated to aprox. 12,000 BC. It predates any alphabets known to scholars. Much is conjecture but it is archeological evidence of the earliest religion known to anthropologists. The site is in Eastern Turkey, which is more conservative than the west. We were just a few miles from the Syrian border and saw refugee camps in the area.
This region of Cappadocia is very exotic. Steven Spielberg filmed episodes of Star Wars here because of these exotic rock formations. We rented mountain bikes and took a 20 mile ride through three different canyons. This particular canyon is filled with these phallic rock formations and called love valley. This area is great for hiking, biking, climbing and wine. Early Christians hid out in these canyons and escaped Roman persecution. Cave churches are decorated with welled preserved blue and red frescos depicting scenes from the annunciation to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The earliest civilization on record is the Hittites from 3000 BC.
Visiting Goreme Open Air Museum in Cappodocia. This is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Early Christian Ascetics formed communities here and built churches, homes, cities in caves. The rock formations are beautiful as well as exotic. The frescos that are in the cave churches tell the biblical stories with particular emphasis on the life of Jesus. Will tour the area for the next two days.
We are visiting the seven churches of the Revelation as well as many places Paul visited. These two pictures are representative of incredible artifacts from antiquity. The first is a Library in Ephesus and the second is an amphitheater in Hierapolis, which is close to Colossae and Laodicea. Both have undergone renovation and are in great shape. This amphitheater is in such good shape that you can see where the lions were housed below the stage to entertain crowds with gladiator displays. Early Historian, Irenaeus, tells us that Papias was Bishop of Hierapolis. Papias passed on important tradition which dates to 125 AD. We are going to spend four days on Lycian Way and will be off line. Will catch up when able.
This Fresco is in the church St. Saviour in Chora. The building has some of the best preserved examples of Byzantine mosaics and frescos in the world. I particularly like this one because of its depiction of the resurrection with Jesus grabbing the hands of the dead and pulling them into new life. Anastasia is one of the Greek words for resurrection.
We visited Istanbul's Museum of Archeology and we able to get a broad introduction to the history, culture and religion of Turkey from prehistoric to modern day. The top piece is from the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great, however Alexander was not buried in it. The bottom piece is the Roman statue of the god Bes. Lots to take in.
Istanbul at one time was the central city for Christendom. At that time it was called Constantinople. It was the center of four Empires . The history here is so rich because it is the crossroads where East meets West. It is also a place where Islam and Christianity have switched back and forth depending on who conquered whom. Hagia Sophia, originally a church, then converted to a mosque and now a Museum tells the story better than any words can express. The Icon of Christ alongside the Islamic Calligraphy demonstrates the rich religious history. We are learning much about the history of Islam in Turkey as well as how it is practiced in a democracy and by well educated people.
We are visiting this village called Neve Shalom--Wahat al-Salam, "Oasis of Peace". I first heard about it through a Bill Moyers documentary on this community. They are a village of Jews and Palestinian Arabs of Israeli citizenship. The members are demonstrating the possibility of coexistence between Jews and Palestinians by developing a community based on mutual acceptance, respect & cooperation. They have many programs that bring people together of different faith traditions, ideologies, ethnicities and give them a safe place to listen to others and express their own views. A model that I call hospitality. Many are secular in their religion. They are committed to peace, justice and reconciliation in an environment that is headed in the opposite direction. It is so interesting to talk to them and learn of their journey. They have an elementary school of 200+ that starts at preschool age to model a different way.
