Notes from abroad: Outing to Metropolitan Chapel of St Luke the Surgeon and Epidavros

 

One very hot afternoon, we trekked out to the church dedicated to St. Luke the Surgeon in Argolis.  We were blessed not only to venerate his relics, but also those of one of my children's patron saints.  Many of the icons that adorned the walls depicted modern saints, like St. Maria Skobtsova of Paris, and American saints.  That's rare!  Below the church is a museum dedicated to St. Luke, and it contains some of his personal effects, photographs, and artwork.  Our museum guide spoke only in rapid Greek, so my husband and children had the full benefit of his words, but I did glean that he chose his ordained name because, like St. Luke the Apostle, he was a gifted artist and physician.  Some of the artwork is pictured above, although I couldn't tell if it was all original or reproductions.  Either way, what talent!  

After a quick perusal of the museum bookstore, we hopped back into our car and drove to Epidavros to explore the archaeological site.  Little M was not happy about the heat, but managed to climb the stairs of the theatre.  A good thing, too, because it would be our only chance to explore a theatre this trip.  Fr. G performed the coin trick when we were in the highest seats.  Cicadas make very good white noise, so I'm not quite sure I heard it land.  The boys claim they heard it, though.  Everyone else got more out of our stop there than I did (although it wasn't my first time there, so no worries), as I was running point with hydration and elevation of moods and pursuit of shade.  Many sighs of relief filled the car when we arrived at the beach a little later!