Delphi

We set off toward Mount Metamorphosis, winding our way through a sea of olive trees and past the legendary site of the Battle of Thermopylae. It was here in 480 BCE that 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas, made their heroic stand against the vast Persian army of Xerxes. Against overwhelming odds, their courage became the stuff of legend.
Our next stop was the ancient city of Delphi, home to a magnificent museum and one of the most spiritually significant sites in the ancient world. As we explored the ruins, we were reminded of the mysterious Pythōn, the spirit of divination said to possess the legendary oracle. The name “Pythōn” comes from the Greek “Pythώ,” referring to the region where Delphi, considered the “navel of the world”, was located. The word is used by Luke in Acts 16:16 "a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination", once a confusing word, now made clear.
Perched on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, Delphi offers breathtaking views and a rich tapestry of history. We visited the Temple of Apollo, the ancient theatre, and the museum, which houses remarkable artefacts, including an inscription of a letter from Emperor Claudius to the proconsul of Achaia, dated 52 AD. In this letter, Claudius expresses his interest in Delphi and references Lucius Junius Gallio, brother of Seneca, who was proconsul during Paul’s time in Corinth (Acts 18:12). This inscription is a powerful piece of evidence supporting the historical accuracy of Luke’s account, once questioned, now affirmed.Read more