The Greek Island of Samos

We set sail Wednesday to the beautiful Greek island of Samos. After a little longer than expected ferry ride we made it to the port to begin our journey. 

Our first destination: The Herion. As we drove along the mountainous terrain with our interesting (to say the least) tour guide, we could see both the luscious greenery and the crystal clear ocean from our bus windows. When we arrived at our first site we walked the Sacred Way to the Great Temple of Hera, which is one of the three most important temples of the ancient world. According to myth, the temple was erected to the goddess Hera because she was born on the island under a willow tree not far from the land on which it sits. As an example or reminder, a willow tree sits within the walls of the ruins to show the appreciation and significance of Hera. Dr. Ramey informed us that the myth comes full circle because ironically Hera lost her maidenhood under a willow tree to her brother and husband Zeus. She later becomes known as the “jealous wife” because…well… Zeus is Zeus and sleeps with many women. 

One of the famous willow trees at the site

            According to Mark Wilson and other archeological experts the importance of Hera stems from fertility. For instance, if a couple in the ancient times were unable to become pregnant they would bring a sacrifice to the Temple of Hera, and pray that the goddess would provide them with a baby. The first temple was built around 570 B.C.E., and was destroyed and rebuilt about 30 years later. There have been numerous temples built on the same fertile land, most of which were built upon one another. In a similar way, there were many altars constructed in the very same place, the first of which dates to the Late Bronze Age (3^rd millennium B.C.). Apparently this structure was fairly impressive since it is estimated to have been about 110 feet by 50 feet!

            The biblical significance of this Island is its appearance in Paul's travels during his third missionary journey. The island is referenced in Acts 20:14-15 which states, “When he [Paul] met us at Assos [a coastal city where we were last week!!!], we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene [harbor on Lesbos island]. The next day we sailed from there and arrived opposed Chios [another island]. On the day after, we sailed to Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus [another city in Asia Minor near Ephesus]. Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he wouldn't need to spend too much time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by Pentecost Day" (CEB).

            After the Great Temple, we ate an authentic Greek lunch at a small restaurant overlooking a harbor. With full bellies and satisfied palates palates, we drove to an old fishing village where the mathematician Pythagoras was born. For all of you out there who enjoy Geometry in your spare time, this is the man who invented the Pythagorean theorem. I’m not particularly mathematically inclined; however, it was pretty interesting to be in the birthplace of an individual who came up with such an integral part of mathematics.

In addition to this, we had the opportunity to visit a Greek Orthodox church called St. Nicholas. The walls were adorned in iconic murals, and from the ceiling hung intricate chandeliers and lanterns. It was such an incredible visual depiction of the Bible through unique paintings along the walls. Before our arrival to the church we noticed shrines on the side of the road which we placed there as memorials to those who were in automobile accidents. Friends and family donate money to erect these small shrines to commemorate those whose lives were cut short. In a similar way, all of the money used to build the church of St. Nicholas was donated entirely by a family. Thus, a life-size “shrine” was constructed as a place of Christian worship to commemorate Christ Jesus who paid the ultimate penalty for us. Although the church is merely 100 years old, it was an interesting juxtaposition to the thousand-year-old ruins we had just walked on only a few villages away.

 - Chrissy Brown