Greek Churches

Today our ship is in Mykonos. It's sunday. So, I got up early, after much planning and figured out how to get into town, and found a church to go to. I even fasted. ON A CRUISE SHIP.

I get there early, sit through orthos, by the way greek church is just like our church in that everyone arrived finally just in time for communion.

So, after sitting there for a long time, we finally get to the end of the liturgy, I go in line to receive, and I'm the last one. I just get up there and the priest turns around and enters the alter, leaving me standing there. I was almost in tears. I cannot tell you how dissapointed and mortified I was.

So, I ask someone. She says, wait until after. Then when church was done I catch the Cantor, tell him I want to receive, the takes me up, the priest comes out and of course his fist question.... ARE YOU GREEK ORTHODOX... so, I guess that's why he turned away.. he probably figured this crazy american tourist (because there's not way not to look american) was busting into his church. When I assured him I was.. I did get communion. so, now, after sitting through how many sundays in mylifetime, I've received communion in GREECE!

As a side note, I've lit candles in Santorini, Mykonos for mom/ dad and all. And I did a special candle in the shrine of the virgian mary, in Turkey for Yai Yai.

Love all, I have gifts for everyone!