Exploring Greece

Ozark & Johnson Take on Thessaloniki: Walking with Alexander the Great

Group of students from Ozark Christian College and Johnson University standing by the Alexander the Great statue in Thessaloniki, Greece.

History & Heritage in Thessaloniki

It was a joy to explore the streets of Thessaloniki, Greece, with students and faculty from Ozark Christian College, Johnson University, and an incredible group of assorted friends.

The city is a tapestry of ancient faith and monumental history—perfectly captured here by the massive Statue of Alexander the Great (or as we like to call him, "Alex the Mega-guy") on his legendary horse, Bucephalus. Standing at the waterfront, this landmark serves as a towering reminder of the region’s deep roots and the "mega" impact of the leaders who once walked these Macedonian shores.

From biblical history to sunset strolls along the Aegean waterfront, it was a journey to remember with the best company.

Standing at the Bema: Ozark & Johnson Explore Ancient Corinth

Students from Ozark Christian College and Johnson University standing at the archaeological site of the Bema (Judgment Seat) in Ancient Corinth, Greece.

The perfect classroom: the archaeological site of Corinth

There’s no classroom quite like the ruins of Ancient Corinth. Our Spring Break study tour recently brought students and faculty together from Ozark Christian College and Johnson University, along with an incredible group of friends, to the foot of the Bema (Judgment Seat).

The Bema of Corinth

Standing at this precise location—the same spot where the Apostle Paul once stood before Gallio—brings the text of the New Testament into sharp resolution. It’s one thing to read about the “Judgment Seat” in a textbook; it’s entirely another to stand on the ancient stones and feel the gravity of the history that unfolded here.

Between deep theological discussions and exploring the archaeological wonders of the Greece, this journey has been a powerful reminder of the roots of our faith.

The Bema at Corinth, Greece.

How to get down Santorini

What comes up must go down

Famous for its dramatic cliffs and whitewashed villages, Santorini is a volcanic island in the Aegean Sea known for its iconic blue-domed churches. Visitors flock to the town of Oia to witness world-renowned sunsets over the submerged caldera, a remnant of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history. There are multiple ways to reach the crater rim from the water, but how do you get down? The quickest way down to the water at Santorini is not the easiest!

Watch the video

Click the panel below, close your eyes, and travel with Vicki, “How to get down Santorini: Vicki vs the Volcano.”

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A Message from Patmos

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An unusual place of Revelation

Perched in the Aegean Sea, the island of Patmos serves as the profound backdrop for the New Testament's final book. It was here, amidst exile and rocky solitude, that St. John received his heavenly visions, transforming a remote cave into a sanctuary of spiritual revelation. Today, the island remains a pilgrimage site, offering a timeless message of hope and resilience to all who visit its sacred shores.

Check out the video

Click on the panel below to hear this message from Patmos.

That Vile Spartan: An Advisor to Herod the Great of Palestine

A Herod connection in Greece?

Deep in the Peloponnese, an unexpected link to Judean history lies etched into the stones of the remains from Sparta. A remarkable inscription identifies an advisor to Herod the Great, revealing how far the influence of the infamous king’s court once traveled. This ancient artifact offers a rare, tangible bridge between the biblical era and the Byzantine “Wonder of the Morea.”

Check out the video

Click on the panel below to witness the connection.

Tiryns, Greece: Where History and Myth Meet

View to the Cyclopean walls of Tiryns.

Visiting Tiryns

Stepping through the massive Cyclopean walls of Tiryns, visitors can feel the ancient power of a citadel once thought to be built by giants. These formidable ruins in Greece serve as the legendary birthplace of Hercules, the hero who performed his twelve impossible labors under the command of King Eurystheus. Today, walking among these sun-bleached stones offers a tangible connection to the mythic past and the enduring legacy of the Bronze Age.

Watch the Video. This one is cool.

Click the panel below to get there.

The God who Heals?

In ancient Greece (or Judea), an Asclepion (or Asklepieion) was a sacred healing sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. These complexes functioned as early holistic medical centers, blending religious rituals with practical treatments like dietary regimens, exercise, and baths.

This prompts the question: What do Athens and Jerusalem have in common?

Answer: An asklepion!

Does one appear in the New Testament?

Answer: I think so.

Check me out. See the video below.

From Aphrodite to Augustus: How Rome Repurposed Greek Sacred Spaces in Thessaloniki

Antigonidon Square fountain, Thessaloniki.

In the heart of modern Thessaloniki, hidden behind apartment blocks at Antigonidon Square, lie the remains of an “itinerant temple”—an ancient Greek masterpiece that was literally moved and repurposed for Roman power.

The “Traveling” Temple of Aphrodite

The temple was originally an Archaic Ionic structure from the late 6th century BC, likely located in ancient Aeneia (modern Nea Michaniona). In the 1st century AD, during the Roman era, it was carefully dismantled, transported, and rebuilt in Thessaloniki. This was not just a feat of engineering; it was a calculated political move.

Repurposed for Emperor Worship

Once reassembled, this sacred space was dedicated to the Imperial Cult. It is believed that the temple served as a site for worshiping Julius Caesar alongside his mythical ancestor, the goddess Aphrodite.

What does it look like today?

Not as you might expect. Check out the video below.

Preparing to Run in the Stadium at Olympia

Our Olympic athletes are at the top of their game!

The Real Olympic Stadium

Our travelers prepare to compete at the stadium at Olympia. The stadium was the sacred site where the ancient Olympic Games were born, featuring a simple grass-banked arena that could hold up to 45,000 spectators.

The crowd will be a bit smaller today.

But the smack is large.

What is seen today was built in stages, representing the growth of the games. The earliest parts date to the 6th c BC.

Watch the video

Click on the panel below.

The Temple of the Mad Syrian (Seleucid) King

The Temple of the Olympian Zeus in Athens was once a colossal monument dedicated to the king of the gods, featuring 104 massive Corinthian columns. Although only 15 of these towering pillars remain standing today, the ruins still showcase the extraordinary scale of what was once one of the largest temples in the ancient world. Located just a short walk from the Acropolis, it serves as a powerful reminder of the architectural feats of many hands and one Syrian king in particular.

View the video below.