Do Holidays

Meeting the Archimandrite

The Archimandrite was a tall, thin old man with long gray hair and a beard. He had a serious look, reminiscent of the historical figure John Knox. Having spent forty-six years in the peaceful hills of Studenitza, he knew little of the outside world and had never left Serbia. Yet, despite his stern appearance, he had a warm and beautiful smile. “Nearly fifty years ago, when I arrived here, I promised myself to never regret my choice. And I have kept that promise. I am content,” he said. He added that it was quiet in the monastery and noted that it is difficult for a stranger from England to reach. With that, he offered to show me to my room A Visit to Studenitza Monastery.

A Peaceful Room

My room was wonderfully restful. It was simple but offered a sense of calm. The thick walls and shadows created a cool atmosphere, while narrow windows framed views of the surrounding hills. A peas

Meeting the Archimandrite

The Archimandrite was a tall, thin old man with long gray hair and a beard. He had a serious look, reminiscent of the historical figure John Knox. Having spent forty-six years in the peaceful hills of Studenitza, he knew little of the outside world and had never left Serbia. Yet, despite his stern appearance, he had a warm and beautiful smile. “Nearly fifty years ago, when I arrived here, I promised myself to never regret my choice. And I have kept that promise. I am content,” he said. He added that it was quiet in the monastery and noted that it is difficult for a stranger from England to reach. With that, he offered to show me to my room A Visit to Studenitza Monastery.

A Peaceful Room

My room was wonderfully restful. It was simple but offered a sense of calm. The thick walls and shadows created a cool atmosphere, while narrow windows framed views of the surrounding hills. A peas

Finding Peace at the Monastery

Without trying to be overly pious, anyone can visit Studenitza Monastery and leave feeling a bit lighter in spirit. This beautiful place offers a break from the noise of everyday life. Studenitza is the most famous monastery in Serbia, closely tied to the history of the Serbian people. It is a sacred site where many important events took place. Here lies the first crowned King of Serbia, and the current king, Peter, visited to pay his respects to his predecessor, who was buried here nearly six centuries ago.

Journey to the Monastery

My journey to the monastery started early in the morning. I spent several hours on a slow local train that often stopped along the way. The train traveled along a winding branch line heading toward the hills. In a small town, I enjoyed a cup of coffee with local officials while I negotiated with a horse owner for a carriage and horses. After that, I took a long evening drive of about forty miles tow

Finding Peace at the Monastery

Without trying to be overly pious, anyone can visit Studenitza Monastery and leave feeling a bit lighter in spirit. This beautiful place offers a break from the noise of everyday life. Studenitza is the most famous monastery in Serbia, closely tied to the history of the Serbian people. It is a sacred site where many important events took place. Here lies the first crowned King of Serbia, and the current king, Peter, visited to pay his respects to his predecessor, who was buried here nearly six centuries ago.

Journey to the Monastery

My journey to the monastery started early in the morning. I spent several hours on a slow local train that often stopped along the way. The train traveled along a winding branch line heading toward the hills. In a small town, I enjoyed a cup of coffee with local officials while I negotiated with a horse owner for a carriage and horses. After that, I took a long evening drive of about forty miles tow

The Dawn at the Monastery

As dawn broke over the Servian hills, a soft green light filled the sky, which was still dotted with stars that seemed closer than ever. It was four o’clock in the morning, and the monastery bell rang loudly, calling the monks to prayer. I got up from the simple bed provided by the monks, left my cell, and stepped out onto the broad balcony. The air was crisp and full of life, and I could hear the roaring river rushing down from the Turkish hills toward the mighty Danube. A rooster from the monastery announced the morning, while another distant rooster responded with a challenge A Visit to Studenitza Monastery.

The Monks Begin Their Day

Across the grass, the monks moved silently, their black cloaks blending with the shadows. Flickering candlelight appeared in the deep, dark windows of the church as the bell finally fell silent. Then, I heard the rich, muffled voices of the monks

A Journey of Faith and Conversion

Among the apostles, Paul stands out as an extraordinary traveler, navigating the challenges of the ancient world to spread the new faith. His remarkable journeys, marked by endurance and tenacity, played a pivotal role in the early Christian movement. This article explores the life and travels of Paul, born Saul, and the transformation that led him to become one of Christianity’s most influential figures.

Early Life and Background

Paul, originally known as Saul, was born in Tarsus, southern Turkey. After his conversion, he changed his name to Paul, influenced by converting Sergius Paulus. Described as a stocky man with a bald head and a grey, bushy beard, Paul studied Jewish law in Jerusalem under the renowned rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). His Roman citizenship, inherited from his parents, afforded him special rights and protections, playing a crucial role in his ministry Read more

Thales of Miletus

Thales of Miletus, a renowned figure in ancient Greece, made significant contributions to philosophy and mathematics. While some of his ideas were influenced by travels and foreign knowledge, Thales played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations of Greek mathematics and natural philosophy.

Thales’ Knowledge Gathering

Thales spent considerable time traveling and engaging in trade. It is believed that during his travels, he gathered knowledge and brought it back to the Greek world. One notable instance was his prediction of the eclipse in 585, likely influenced by Babylonian priests’ research.

Geometric Theories and Foreign Influences

Thales introduced geometric theories that had possible roots in Egypt. These theories became fundamental in Greek mathematics, including the bisecting of a circle by a diameter and properties of triangles. Thales’ mathematical insights, such as proportional sides in triangles,

A Multifaceted Mind in Ancient Greece

Thales of Miletus, a prominent figure in ancient Greece around 585 B.C.E., stood out as a statesman, engineer, astronomer, mathematician, and philosopher. His diverse pursuits reflected the intellectual curiosity characteristic of academics in that era.

Thales’ Varied Expertise

Thales’ pursuits covered a wide range of disciplines The Apostle Paul. Regarded as the “only wise man” extending his speculations beyond the practical, he gained a reputation as a thinker who ventured into realms beyond immediate utility. Plato’s anecdote of Thales falling into a well while stargazing highlighted his commitment to celestial observations, sometimes perceived as imprudent.

Practical Applications of Celestial Observations

Contrary to some skepticism, Thales’ observation of the stars contributed practically to navigation. By measuring the stars of the

Pneuma: The Universal Spirit

Drawing from his philosophical studies, Galen concluded that various bodily functions were influenced by the Pneuma, or universal spirit. He envisioned the pneuma as a fine, spirit-like substance that flowed through the universe, organizing and controlling physical bodies.

Three Types of Spirit

Galen categorized the pneuma into three types of spirit:

Spiritus Vitalis (Life Spirit): Originating in the heart and flowing through the arteries.
Spiritus Animalis (Animal Spirit): Found in the brain and nerves Understanding Human Temperaments.
Spiritus Naturalis (Natural Spirit): Formed in the liver.
Title: Galenic Physiological Theory

Sustaining Life Process

While emphasizing the role of the pneuma, Galen also believed that the life process depended on food, converted into blood in the liver. This blood, originating from the liver, nourished essen

Galen’s Insights

Four Basic Human Temperaments

Building upon Hippocrates’ theory of the four humours, Galen proposed the concept of four basic human temperaments, each linked to the dominance of one of the humours. These temperaments were:

Sanguinicus (Blood Dominance): Cheerful and lively
Flegmaticus (Phlegm Dominance): Calm and tough
Melancholicus (Melancholy Dominance): Worrisome and gloomy
Cholericus (Choler Dominance): Energetic
Galen believed that one’s personality was closely connected to their physical makeup.

Galen’s Contributions to Physiology

Unraveling the Mysteries of Physiology

Galen significantly contributed to the development of human physiological science. In ancient times, the functions of the heart and blood vessels were mysterious. Earlier theories by Alcmaeon of Croton and Aristotle suggested connections between blood, sleep, and the brain. Galen debunked many of th