Nederlands

FaithonMaps › All places › Areopagus, Athens

Areopagus, Athens
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Areopagus sermon

Areopagus, Athens

Paul and the unknown god · Greece

In Athens Paul was troubled by the many idols, but he also noticed an altar 'to an unknown god'. On this rock hill, where the city council once met, he told the philosophers about the God who made the world and is not far from any of us. Some laughed, but a few believed, among them Dionysius, a member of the council, and a woman named Damaris. Today you can climb the worn marble rock and look out over the ancient Agora, with the Acropolis right behind you.

Did you know?

A bronze plaque at the foot of the rock carries Paul's speech in Greek.

View on the mapOpen in Google Maps

An inspiring story

To an unknown god

Where would you start talking about God with someone who doesn't believe?

Paul walked through Athens, full of temples and statues, and was deeply troubled. Then he found an altar with the words: 'To an unknown god.' On the Areopagus, before the city's philosophers, he did not begin by attacking them. He began with their own altar and even quoted their own poets: 'We are his offspring.' Why start there? Because he believed God is not far from anyone, and was already at work in their searching. Some laughed at him, some wanted to hear more, and a few believed, among them a woman named Damaris.

Not everyone was convinced. But a conversation that starts with respect is never wasted.

He is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.Acts 17:27-28

Sources

Journeys through this place

Also on the map