ORTHODIXIE ... Southern, Orthodox, Convert, Etc.

This is the final post, 6th in a series (one, two, three, four, five), of my recent trip to Syria - September 13-18, 2011. You can listen to the Orthodixie Podcast about the trip by clicking HERE.


Our final full day in Syria, Saturday, September 17th, began with a visit to the Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus (formerly the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist). Unlike my visit last year -- HERE -- this time, as part of an official delegation visit, I got to see the "VIP Lounge" (so to speak).


You'd think I'd have learned that when taking a picture of a mirror you do so from an angle so as not to be in the picture!


In this entry salon, there is a model of the Umayyad Mosque.


You can read about its history here.


After enjoying some refreshments here ...


... instead of taking off our shoes, like everyone else, we got to don little blue booties.


The only female member of our delegation got to don more (think: Harry Potter 8.5).


Looking back toward the public entry of the mosque, toward the street.


And turning to view the inner courtyard.


Inside, the Umayyad Mosque is massive open space. The tomb of John the Baptist can be seen to the left.


This shrine is the main attraction, especially for those visiting Syria.


Like this guy.


The Dome of the Treasury (more here).


After the mosque, it was time to dive into the Souk El-Hamidiyeh (the sprawling market in Old Damascus).




...


...


...


...


...


A perfumery where I was able to get some essence for my daughters ... and my son.


We discarded our tourist identities around 2:30 PM; little did we know that our "day" still had a good 12 hours yet to go.


This image (not the official pic) was taken with my camera following our 2-hour meeting with President Assad. A bit of an overview of that meeting, including the question I asked the President, is presented in this episode of the Orthodixie Podcast.


Our meeting with the President was 5-7:00 PM, around 7:30, back at the hotel, we met with a group of tribal leaders, Sheiks, about their views of the current situation in Syria.


...


Looks like Fr Timothy is starting to feel at home.


Originally, we were to meet with the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassoun, around 7:30 PM, with dinner following.


He was delayed in Aleppo, however, and our meeting did not commence until 11:30 PM.

And yes ...



... "dinner" followed. We did not lift our forks till after midnight.


The outdoor courtyard of a local banquet hall, where we dined, had a huge chandelier with glass globes for oil.


I should have snapped a pic of every course of this massive meal. Y'all? -- They served two entrees! There was an imam across the table from me who did not speak English, but when they brought out the second hefty entree, he and I both laughed (a universal language) until we had tears in our eyes.


A little after 2:00 AM, September 18, 2011.


But this ...

Though I would have sworn I had no room for another drop of food, this was the best kanafeh I've yet had. (Notice the word yet; I stand to be corrected.)

The podcast about this trip is available by clicking HERE.

Last year's podcast about my trip to Syria - here.

Thanks to all for your prayers for a safe and profitable journey.
Pray for peace in Syria.

Some images courtesy of John Maddex.
| Link

August 31st was a long day at the church office, from 7 AM through Evening Liturgy for Church New Year; the work day’s start to finish: about 15 hours. I’m getting older and I have a couch in my office. No-brainer; I took a nap.

I awoke around 2:30 PM Central Time, just 10 minutes before my cell alarm was set to pester me. I didn’t recognize the Area Code displayed on the Blackberry.

I won’t recount whole the conversation. The voice on the other end is not known for verbosity. The upshot? The Metropolitan wanted me to go with a delegation to Syria. When? In two weeks, for a stay of 4 days!

Y’all?

The nap may have been a no-brainer, but this … this seemed to require something more cerebral. I mean, does one say No to the Metropolitan? I asked that question … was told Yes. I asked, “When do you need my answer?”

I fumbled through my Franklin-Covey to check my schedule …

The Man-of-Few-Words said something like: Heh, now.

Uh-oh. Being the father of a high school senior, I was scheduled that weekend to visit a college for a look-see. I mentioned this. Few-Words became fewer.

I asked “Can I call you back in an hour?”

One word: Sure.

I called the Mrs. She’s great – God bless her, she married me. (That’s the best part of the Great part.) She seemed kind of excited for me.

Now I was confused.

I called another guy, you probably know him, I won’t reveal, let’s just say: he has known both the Metropolitan and Man-of-Few-Words for a long, long time. He said: Say NO! Don’t go!

Okay: Wife = yes; friend = no.

I called a parishioner who hails from Lebanon.

He said:

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.
| Link

I promise: I'll get to my visit with the President of Syria; but first, the final post of some other stuff.

I was part of a delegation that traveled to Syria September 13 - 18th on a fact finding mission, especially regarding the 3 million Christians in that country.

Parts One, Two, Three, Four.


Another one of those traditional homes converted to a nice restaurant.



In the Jewish quarter, a Synagogue.


Here, Fr Pat prayed, I believe, Psalm 8 (in Hebrew).


I stuck my daughter's camera up against the windows ...


... for a snap or two.


The Damascus National Museum of History kept our delegation intrigued on the morning of Friday, September 16th.


You never know what you will find in such places ...


... some things are old, some are new -- some are 42.



Ma'alula. Flag on one hill ...



... crosses on the other.



Now ... enlarge this pic and check out the Beast of Burden helping to haul gravel!



Heading up the monastery steps to visit the shrine which houses the relics of St Thekla.



See the figure of Christ up at the top of the stairs (see below -- and last year).



Inside the temple at Ma'alula.



Fr John exits the shrine to St Thekla; pilgrims must remove their shoes.


A local priest asked his beautiful daughter to sing the Apolytikion of the Feast for us. We were all nearly moved to tears.



Inside the salon, as in most salons in parishes and monasteries in Syria: images of leaders, spiritual and secular.



Our delegation enjoyed the hospitality of the abbess, Mother Pelagia.


Fr Dimitri and I pause for a pic on our way out. (Is there something on my head? Enlarge the pic and look at him looking at ... me?)



The "backside of Our Lord" on exit.



We joined the other pilgrims making their way through the mountain that was split for St Thekla.






After St Thekla ... Paradise.


Paradise Restaurant, that is.



Entering the "outdoor" eatery ...



... to sit beside the flowery garden.


Guaranteed not to leave hungry.


The women's Monastery at Saydnaya.



The daytime view from that balcony.


The inside view of the temple.


Saydnaya is home to one of the four icons which St Luke painted. I imagine it resembles the one above the throne (above).


Closer.


Glancing back over my shoulder before heading down to the ground ...



... where we were serenaded by some gathered teens about God, Syria, and ...



... well, more on that later.

Next up: The President, the Sheiks, the Grand Mufti, and the Orthodixie Podcast.
| Link