EC EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER PROGRAMS: Greek Orthodox Monastery

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Greek Orthodox Monastery

On Monday, we visited the Greek Orthodox monasteries of Chrisopigi in Transfiguration and Agia Kiriaki. I found their method of living incredibly humble. They built this beautiful monastery out of 100% stone and with very little invasive building techniques. Leaving the earth and soil in the purest form possible was their major ambition. Once the stone structure was complete, all 45 sisters engraving the pillars, floors, and all the stone artwork. They also painted the disciples and religious figures for a variety of chapels surrounding the monastery. Not only did they use sustainable building techniques, but they grow their own crops to provide for themselves. Al

I found the visit at this monastery quite magical. I was amazed by the pure love that filled the sisters hearts. They dedicate their lives to the faith of God and believe he is within all of us. One doesn't have to be religious to truly appreciate their sacrifices and sustainable believes.

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EC Eastern Security Studies Program

In the summer of 2011, as the "Arab Spring" was unfolding and the "Eurozone Crisis" was entering its second year, the Emmanuel College Eastern Mediterranean Security Studies Program was established in Crete, as a way to make the location the classroom. Beyond the grand theoretical, historical and political understanding that can be achieved through reading and classroom discussion and exchange, a more immediate, intimate and truer appreciation of the complexities can only achieved by experiencing the cultures, languages of personal interaction.

Since 2012 students have been able to combine an intensive curricular study, with the experience of immersion and living in a local setting. The geopolitical and geoeconomic forces that have acted in the region for centuries, can be identified in the classroom, but they can only be understood by being there. This year's EC EMSS Program will add a fourth week of study, experience and exploration and will also travel to the islands of Rhodes, and Cyprus. In Rhodes we will be partnering with the Prefecture of Southern Aegean and the Aegean University, while in Cyprus we will be hosted by the University of Nicosia.