Island of Lesvos(Lesbos), Greece

 

Arriving in Lesvos, Greece                                                         Easter Sunday April 17, 2022

Happy Easter!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

As perhaps in your own homes, our alarm was set for a sunrise meditation scheduled to be gathered on the open deck 10 as the sun was to rise over the Mediterranean at 6:32.  We turned on the deck cam, channel 25, saw that it was still very dark at 5:30 when alarm blurped at us, and watched the camera as we tried to wake up.  It didn’t appear to be overly wet—rain had been forecast—and when I ran out to see about the meditation while helping set up the service in our large lounge, the weather was milder than expected low 60’s and almost no wind.  Fellow guest and Anglican priest Helen had secured the host/wafers from an Anglican church in Jerusalem, so we were able to have communion on Easter, although the wine was only served symbolically between the two of us after all had come forward for mood with the bread.  The string quartet awakened for our 7:00 service and set the tone with “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”  Our cruise director lead us in the liturgy, we stood and sang three Easter hymns, and were delighted and fulfilled to worship even as we sailed.

Then our other lives, our alternate realities, tried to overshadow the glory.  Tried.  But failed.  Even though the whole ship needed to take antigen tests in 2.5 hours.  Even though we landed in Mytillini, Greece and shore tours were scheduled for morning and early afternoon.  Even though rain came intermittently.  Even though we used “tenders” to get from the ship to the shore.  To keep me focused for myself, I wore a rainbow-hued shawl all day that had “Jerusalem” imprinted all over it.  What a wondrous way to start the highest festival of all festivals! 

As we near the end of this “leg” of the journey, we are finding that it’s harder to schedule computer and camera time.  We’ll do our best to continue to write and report.  New ports almost daily, now until July 4 when we catch our breath in New York City and look forward to seeing friends and family.

Yesterday we were in Turkey.  Today we are beginning some Greek island hopping.  First island is Lesvos or Lesbos, depending on how the “b” is written and pronounced.  The capital of this island is Mytillini, a mountainous, hilly expanse with clusters of villages and cities whose structures are ancient while also built to outlast the frequent earthquakes.  Driving between villages, the ever-present olive groves intermingle with fruit trees and fertile soils grow vegies and spices to complement the huge varieties of fish and meats and bread of all textures and cultures in the markets. Traipsing through the markets is an olfactory delight.

Our guide grew up in New Jersey’s Greek area, but she’s lived in Mytillini since the early 80s.  Her love for Greece and her Greek Orthodox churches was evident.  In one of the churches we visited, she chanted in her tenor voice a hymn and let it reverberate in the space.  “Happy Easter!” she said to us, then she said, “For us, it’s Palm Sunday.  Easter is yet to come.” 

You’ll note the abundance of icons and the lavish chandeliers.  Light from all sources in foundational. 

We strolled up and then down on the hilly street of a nearby village, taking more photos of yet another Greek Orthodox Church, sampling a delectable blend of tea with cinnamon and nutmeg, almost buying out a local bakery that was also open on Easter Sunday, and wandering in and out of other shops.  Then we headed back to the ship for a nap and some time at the computer to report in to you.

Wisteria sun protection