Where Greece Stole my Heart

As I walked up to the Monastery of Hosios Loukas I realized quickly that I was going to be blown away.  As I walked down the narrow cobblestone path I could look out on the foothills of Mount Helicon.  Situated down in the valley it had an amazing view, but then you turn left and see the monastery, and I was in love immediately.  I have never felt more peaceful then when I walked through here.

I walked through this archway and into the chapel.  When you walk in you first go into the newer chapel which is covered with dozens- maybe even hundreds of mosaics that are beautifully put together with brilliant colors and gold accents- absolutely stunning.  From the newer chapel you walk into the older chapel.  It was built in the 10th century and it’s built with stone, brick and marble.  It is amazing.  I also learned a couple of things:  when there are pictures of Jesus when he holds his ring finger to his thumb that’s Jesus judging, and there were these little aluminum pictures hanging under icons of saints and when I asked what they were they told me that when someone’s prayers are answered by a certain saint they hang tokens of gratitude under their icon as a gift.

After leaving the chapel we went into the crypt which was eerie, but beautiful.  The walls were covered in frescoes, but there was one in particular that looked like it was always on the stones and someone finally uncovered it; it was meant to be there.

Outside, the grounds were amazingly beautiful.  It was cloudy when we were there, but the sun peeked through in amazing rays stretching out to touch the grass below.  When you went on top of a building you could stand in archways and look out on it.  I could have sat there for hours upon hours.

 

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