Today was a day that I was really looking forward to because we were going to places that, by tradition, the apostle Paul had been. We began the day with a great breakfast and then took a taxi to get a lens filter for the camera. Our friendly taxi driver then delivered us to Vatican City. Apparently, Italy is going through a tough time economically, for both our taxi drivers complained about both the economy and the Italian government. He wanted to know how America was doing. He said that “when America does good, we do good”. Nice to know.
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| St. Peter’s Square |
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| Entrance |
After spending a couple of hours shopping (much to Jeff’s dismay) and one quick gelati, we began out Footsteps of Paul tour. We visited three locations, each significant to the life of Paul. Today, there are huge ornate Roman Catholic basilicas or monastaries built upon each of these sites.
Our first stop was San Paolo alle Tre Fontane (St Paul at the Three Fountains). The Aquae Salviae was a natural spring located 3 miles outsides of Rome on the Ostian Way where soldiers often stopped on their way in and out of Rome. Because prisoners could not be killed within the walls of Rome, it is believed the Roman soldiers took Paul here to be executed. Tradition states that when Paul was beheaded, his head bounced three times and three fountains sprung up. (Not sure about that, but there are three fountains there.)
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| San Paolo alle Tre Fontane |
Philippians 1:21″For me to live – Christ, to die, gain!”
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| Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls |
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| Paul’s tomb is below a marble tombstone in the basilica’s crypt 4/12 feet below the altar. The Latin inscription reads PAUOL APOSTOLO MART, meaning “to Paul the apostle and martyr” |
2 Timothy 4:6 ” For I am ready already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”
Our last stop of the day was the place where it is believed Paul first stayed when he arrived at Rome as a prisoner. Acts 28:14 “And so we came to Rome.” ( in the spring of 60 AD) Acts 28:16 Paul was handed over by Commander Julius to a Roman official and placed under house arrest where he would remain for two years.
Acts 28:16 ” When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with a soldier who guarded him.” 28:30 Paul stayed two full years in his rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him. 31….preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered, with complete boldness and without reservation.”
This church has only been restored and opened in the last two years. It is believed that Paul resided here because of its proximity to the Jewish quarters and the Tiber River.
As I visited these places, it was hard to imagine that I was standing in actual places where Paul had been. I was privileged to be there, but reminded that my greatest privilege is knowing of the man that Jesus Christ miraculously apprehended on the road to Damascus and forever changed his life. The man that went from persecutor to proclaimer; the man that passionately followed and surrendered everything that day; the man that lived and breathed Jesus to all that he met. The man that teaches me to live above my circumstance on a need to know basis, how to defend myself rightly when necessary, and most importantly, what a surrendered life of following the risen Christ looks like in every situation.
Jeff and I then said good-bye to our guide and had dinner in the center of Rome, near the Piazza Navona, at a restaurant recommended by our guide, a native Roman, called da Franchesca. We made our way back through a parade made up of hundreds of revelling (drunken) bicyclists which was kind of scary. Maneuvering through the bicyclists was more dangerous than daily Roman traffic, which is saying something! We then walked a total of 2 miles uphill back to our hotel.
*Things I have learned after 3 days in Rome:
1. Toiletttes / WC / Servicios are few and far between. Then, when found, are disgusting. They are unisex, with no paper and some even with a charge. I now carry my own paper!
2. Romans eat dinner late! We have eaten after 8:00 every night so far. Those who know me should be shocked.
3. Although many Italians attempt to speak English (and many do it well), very few other tourists speak English. Today in Vatican City we heard every language under the sun, except English.
It is after midnight…. we are still adjusting to the time change.
Buona notte!