Nancy Thomas-Ward, MBA., A FREE PRESENT FROM ST.NICHOLAS from Turkey Contents The tradition of Giving presents started with St Nicholas later on to become the Bishop of Demre, Southern Turkey. St Nicholas also known as Father Christmas was born in present day Patara in the south of Turkey. Patara was then in Greece and was a thriving Mediterranean seaport which exported and imported food and goods all around the Mediterranean circle and beyond. This ancient story goes like this. There was a poor, poor family who had 5 daughters. In those days and still in many parts of the world the practise of a dowry is necessary for a daughter to get married. The dowry is paid to the prospective husband’s family. No dowry no marriage which meant the girls were unable to find or marry the man they loved. It was a sad time for these 5 girls with no money for food let alone a dowry of gold coins. They were so unhappy because of this situation. One day St. Nicholas heard about the girl’s dilemma and thought of how he could secretly help these unfortunate girl to find a husband and have a married life. One dark night he decided to give the eldest daughter a surprise present of gold coins, enough for a dowry which would enable her to get married and make their family happy. But how could he do it secretly? He waited for a really dark night with no moon or stars and climbed up on to their roof and lowered a bag of gold coins down the chimney. Just enough to marry the man she already loved, of course the fire was not alight before you ask! You can imagine the family’s jubilant surprise in the morning. Jubilant with happiness of a surprise present of enough gold coins for a dowry. They were puzzled after all the excitement as who would give such a generous gift? They asked around the neighbourhood and found out that they were not the first as other needy family had also received presents of gold coins to help them through a crisis. Why would anyone do such a marvellous thing for the poor in their community they asked as you can imagine the people were eager to thank the person who they said had a heart of gold. So every really dark night some of the community looked and listened so they could find this extraordinary person for to thank him. Quite some time later on a really dark night no moon, no starts a hooded figure dressed in green was seen putting some coins through a window of a family whose father was ill and could not work because of this they had had no food for days? It was St. Nicholas and yes his cloak in those days was green! Hence the tradition of giving and sharing eventually spread all over the world. Now read this Grandma’s story of her adventure to worship at his Church in modern Muslim Turkey. Introduction 6 Sonny Boy and I on our pilgramige 7 Just us, the road in a Christmas card! 7 Phaselis 9 Memories 10 Olympos and Monsters 11 Kumluca 11 Finike 12 I remember when I fell in love 13 Embarrassed 14 Such kindness 14 Modern age 14 Crusader or Ottoman 15 Watery highway, communication routes 16 Revelation 16 Demre and Myra 17 My Pilgrimage destination 20 Surprise, surprise a Patriarch! 21 Made it! 23 Down the ramp, I hurried into the church and what a scene before me as all the foreign tourists were posing for photos in front of the Russian statue of St Nicholas. I had a Taiwan gentleman take two photos of me with my ticket in my hand so you can see I was actually there and this is not some copy and paste job. And then to the business of celebrating the Feast of Saint Nicholas with a multitude of international Christians. Some like me, probably not Catholic, but all with the same purpose and many with more faith than I or at least an outward sign as people are on their knees at his tomb. The last time I was here people were actually lying inside it! For the record his relics are in a Barri Cathedral Italy… a very long interesting controversial story but not here. 23 My prayer request 23 Photographs We started our journey here at Cakirlar Koy, Antalya and I arived here at The Basilica of St Nicholas, Demre. December 6th 2013. Introduction My name is Nancy my grandchildren call me Nancy Nanc and the older ones just Nanc . Even though I protest I secretly like it. I meant to have gone on this pilgrimage to attend the celebrations of St Nicholas and write his story last year but a health problem meant I had to miss it. This December 4th yes last week, galvenised me into action so here I am putting this together with love to everyone who reads this.Hopefully this pilgramage and my story will inspire other people to remember the joy of giving or even just remembering someone with a phone call, without expecting anything in return. Sonny Boy and I on our pilgramige It is 8 am December 6th 2013 as my companion and I whom I speak about as a person but is actually my dog Sonny Boy, packed the car with a picnic. I had filled up on petrol on my way home yesterday so off we go a little bit nervous starting on our 4 hour journey. The sun is shining, no traffic on the road and I sing Emanuel until I become hoarse just to get us in the mood. Just us, the road in a Christmas card! Antalya which is its modern name is now behind me with the bluest blue of the Meditaranian always on our left as we are heading west and the mighty, magnificent Torus Mountains towering over us on our right. You can feel the power of the forest beathing as we ourselves breath in this exilarating fresh air mixed with ozone from the sea and now a bite in the air from the snow that fell at about 2,000 ft yesterday. It seems to make everything shine just like a picture postcard or should I say a Christmas card. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. I hadn’t been this way for a long time and it was a nice surprise to drive through not one but three new tunnels cut out of the sheer cliffs. Sonny Boy had to hide his head on my shoulder as he was afraid of the noise and the lights. I was very impressed with the tunnels I expect our journey will be so much quicker as all the narrow roads have been replaced by this new motorway. Phaselis We have a comfort stop at Phaselis or rather Sonny Boy did as he was gently whimpering to let me know he needed to water a tree. He had a bit of difficulty as there are so many to chose from as the forest goes down to the sea here. I would have loved to include a photo here of the entrance to this once thriving Roman and pirate port but maybe another time as I have to get this sent out as a Christmas message as soon as possible. The guide at Phaselis was disappointed we were not stopping but when I told him my mission he was so interested and shook my hand and wished me God speed. Would I pray for humanity and his family and would I come back to have tea and let me know about my pilgrimage which is called Hajj here in Muslim Turkey. This friendly Muslim person made me feel so good and gave me the confidence to continue as I haven’t atempted to drive so far since an illness several years ago. Memories Sonny Boy settled down as I drove back onto the lovely road with no holes or traffic as we fly pass ancient settlements from5-6-7000 years ago up in the cliffs to our right. I know Alexandra the Great wintered here by the sea with his army of 50,000 and more on his way to conquore and pillage this region and he made it into India!. I am starting to enjoying this day, and it has bearly begun.I have a thought to explore and write about the exciting history of this short piece of coastline which would mean Sonny Boy and I on several other expeditions. So excited at the prospect. Last night I checked the internet about the program for times of the services at St Nicholas’s Church at Demre but there was no information at all. Now I am a little worried as maybe I would not get there in time or there will be nothing! A couple of Away in a Manger carols later I soothed myself with the thought that as long as I could enter the church and give thanks for all the wonders in the world, one of them me actually being there, it would not matter at all. Olympos and Monsters I reluctantly pass the turning for Olympos which holds many memories and is going on my writing list. Pirates and Christians, athiests and Islam but before that a place of pilgramige for some people yet unknown to me as this is where the Chamera, a mythical monster originated from. It is not hard to imagine a stark bare mountain which emmits natural gases and flames which never extingish. It is a sight to behold especially on my own journey with dear friends one very dark New Years Eve 2000 where we boiled a kettle and celebrated the new century with a cup of tea. The champage wasn’t needed as we were all in awe at the night sky. Kumluca Through Kumluca which has grown to a sizable town due to exports of agricultural products. Teenage girls dressed as all teenage girls everywhere. It is market day and it is very busy I would have loved to stop but my quest is before me. Two years ago I was invited by the local University to spend some time at a new excavation of an ancient city a couple of kilometres up in the mountains. I will put this on my writing list too meanwhile Demre here we come. Our road runs right along the cliff/ seaside with at least a 20 kilometre sandy beach. We can’t resist a walk on the empty beach and a paddle. So shoes off and a cup of coffee from the thermos for me as the sand and the bubbly clear water washes away the last of my doubts of starting this journey alone. Sonny Boy leaps around like a puppy even though he is 5 or 6 years old. He is a rescue dog and we rescued each other during bad times for us both. I am positive, like me, he is grateful of the life we now have. Woops, paddle turned into wading as a wave cheekily gets me wet up to my knees. Never mind I can dry off in the car. Finike Just entering Finike. Just north of this town there are two major ancient cities one is Aricanda up in the mountains, it has a church which I have visited years ago. I am a Celt and I became interested in the Celtic history in Turkey. I was very surprised as there is no mention or very little mention of this once dominant nation in any museum in Turkey! I put this on my writing list years ago as I would like to correct or include the Celts in the historical timeline of this region. If I remember correctly a huge Celtic fleet sank in a storm just off this beach! They were a significant force before they integrated with the Romans and it was the Celts who founded modern Ankara which they named Ankaya over 2,500 years ago. Feeling good now as this pilgrimage is unlocking my brain. Finike marina on my left where a lot of international yachts winter over. I hope my photos which are point and click at around 90 kilometers an hour are good enough to be includes in my story as this must be the most beautiful marine in the world. This one w What a magnificent background of the Torso Mountains which are the extreme west of the Himalayas. Of course nobody believes me here but it is a fact. I remember when I fell in love Sonny Boy whimpering he doesn’t like our road which is now very dramatic as it has been hewn out of the cliff face hanging over the sea, and bends, lots of them. He always sits so he is constantly wobbling about. I wish he would lie down but he is on duty as long as I am. Maybe he doesn’t trust my driving! I remember! Can I tell you the exact time I fell in love with Turkey. It was from a bus on this very road on my first visit and before the road improvements over 20 years ago. I saw my first big Loggerhead Turtle swimming below us in this so clear translucent water. Without thinking I asked the driver to stop and take my rucksack of the bus. I then climbed/ scrambled/fell down a short crag and swam with the turtle. I thought I was going to die of happiness. How long I was there I don’t know, what an experience, what a privilege. The turtle obviously took a liking to me and we swam together. He looked into my eyes and I saw intelligence, trust and wisdom which took my breath away. I wonder what he saw in mine? Embarrassed Memories, as when I climbed back up with bleeding knees, hot and exhausted I found the bus driver plus passengers siting on the barriers on a bend making a brew of tea, having witnessed it all. I was so embarrassed even though I got an applause. Such kindness The ladies who were village people in the real sense of, the village was their whole world, and this bus ride this was probably a yearly event or even their first. Indeed several were in hysterics because of the geography of the road and had to be restrained. They most probably couldn’t read and write either. These lovely weather beaten ladies brought my bag and a bottle of water which they washed me with and I changed my clothes all the while crying because of their kindness. What a gift. I asked did anyone take a picture but they had no cameras in those days. Thank God I didn’t take my shorts and T-shirt off before I swam! Modern age Now too many memories as I took a photo of them with my digital camera and they were so startled to see their faces in my camera. For one fleeting moment I was nervous as what were they now thinking about me? A spirit, a witch! A little later on when we had cleared the bad road my mobile rang. Poor people as that caused an uproar, me speaking to a piece of plastic which could also speak back! They were really perplexed about this stranger and a woman! Thankfully the jolly driver shouted out all they needed to fill their information gap and they all started to speak to me all at once. I think they were asking how much and where could they buy a camera and a mobile phone. I was getting a bit worried as even now Turks are very suspicious and believe in evil spirits. Even now most people including lots of ex-pats wear a blue eye around their necks to ward off someone putting a spell on you! Crusader or Ottoman Phew, that was exciting memories and the driving too, as out the other side to a view of the coastline leading to Demre. Up on the hill a castle which I never figured out how to get to. Once I hiked for several hours but was turned back by so many ravines. It looks as if it has had a makeover but too far away to see if it is a Crusader or Ottoman castle. Yes, on my writing list. I think I had better get my tent out as Sonny Boy will see off any wild people or pigs so I will be quiet safe. If you look on the map you will see a natural fresh water lake just outside of Demre which separated by a narrow split of sand and shingle. It has a small island, no one here knows any history about the lake or its little island. The place just oozes history. To build such a castle above here the place must have been very important as trade, not just for the Mediterranean circle but north up into Europe and due south into Africa. Watery highway, communication routes The waters off this coast were the main highway for trading between nations, the spread of knowledge and religion. Also the abundance of food from land and sea and the fresh water lake which teams with fish and crabs. I went crabbing here once and had a great BBQ on the beach with a Turkish family. It is also a great place to see birds as it is on a migration route. Even though I know very little about birds I can marvel at their ability to move great distances without a home, shopping mall, fridge or sat nav. How do they do it? Revelation A mission accomplished as my memories come flooding back as I didn’t know I had lost them. This revelation makes me really think perhaps illness and too much time alone, stress or all mixed together covering the real intellectual me! I thank you St Nicholas you are now my patron Saint as well as children the poor and sailors. Away in a Manger I sing as I try to imagine how the word of Jesus got to this place. I know St Paul was here as it says so in the Bible and it even quotes him when he arrived in Antalya with Barnabus. His mother Mary was also here traveling the sea route or even walking the Lycian Way! Is it just speculation, a myth, no as her church is here in and the 7 churches of Asia Minor are here too? Read your bible for a history lesson! Demre and Myra Here we are entering Demre but no decorations nor bunting. The place has changed greatly and I cannot locate the church. I am sent out to Myra when I asked in Turkish where the church was. I know I am going the wrong way as Myra is a massive complex of just about every civilization which at some time settled here are represented in rock form. Myra is most famous for its amphitheatre, rock tombs and castle which sits squarely on the top of it all like a guardian but no church. However as I enter the car park I spied a new excavation it was a small chapel with no indication of what it was/is. It is an early church so may be the first one that was consecrated here. I look forward to learning about this and I hope you can get an idea of how far down it is now compared to modern Myra by my photos. The chapel is just wonderful to see with faint mosaics of a Saint at the door arms outstretched welcoming. Well done to Akdeniz University Archaeology Faculty. I love Turkey my open museum.. My Pilgrimage destination I speak to a guide about where is the church in Demre. It is the museum he tells me. A museum is the church or rather Basilica of St Nicholas. I am obviously a bit miffed at this as a mosque is a mosque in any country, not a museum! Why did the locals send me away from the church, he shrugs his shoulders? I explain I retired from Akdeniz University and they had even inquired for me on today’s schedule but absolutely no information from the tourism offices. Surprise, surprise a Patriarch! Imagine my surprise when he tells me there is a service going on now and it is being conducted by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew which is akin to the Pope!! My goodness me, I wonder if I can join them as I hurried back by car to the museum. I have to leave Sonny Boy in the car with the windows open as I rush to St. Nicholas Church taking photos as I go. 15tl entrance fee! I tried not to but I just couldn’t resist complaining about the whole event to the people taking the money. I said this was a place of worship not a museum and they were making money from it on this special day. Bla, bla, bla I continued as out came men in suits. Hello Miss Nancy said one. What are you doing here, and I replied, helping the government out of a financial crisis as I had heard that they had to charge Christians to pray now as the economy was so bad. He kissed my hand in passing, he must have noticed my damp trousers but he didn’t comment. Let’s speak soon says he hurrying after the men in dark suits. Local dignitaries I assume, in a cavalcade of black limousines! Made it! Down the ramp, I hurried into the church and what a scene before me as all the foreign tourists were posing for photos in front of the Russian statue of St Nicholas. I had a Taiwan gentleman take two photos of me with my ticket in my hand so you can see I was actually there and this is not some copy and paste job. And then to the business of celebrating the Feast of Saint Nicholas with a multitude of international Christians. Some like me, probably not Catholic, but all with the same purpose and many with more faith than I or at least an outward sign as people are on their knees at his tomb. The last time I was here people were actually lying inside it! For the record his relics are in a Barri Cathedral Italy… a very long interesting controversial story but not here. My prayer request I took a video of the service (which I cannot upload here for some reason) or as much as I could see as people were packed around like sardines. Greek services are very deep with incense and chanting, woooow, heady stuff. It was worth my journey to see people who came from all corners of the earth still respecting old good values whatever faith. I stood amongst this throng and looked up and around me at this ancient building with modern people praying and took comfort in their company and what we were sharing together today. I thanked God with all my heart for the inspiration HE gave me to get up and start this pilgrimage, with my companion of three years Sonny Boy. I pray for my friends, family and especially my dearest eldest grandson in his hour of need that he may find comfort and strength on his new journey. I pray for the people supporting him to do the right things for the right reasons. I thank my Antalya home church for the many prayers on his behalf for healing. For Rod,Tina and family that they may forge on down the road OF LIFE with a purpose. For the guide and his family at Phaselis and for all of humanity. May we all be educated in order to find the true way of hope and to celebrate with good hearted people whatever their belief? To be of service to the needy, to pass on the word of God as my parents had taught me and not to be afraid of being judged by other who are not believers by choice, ignorance or had no opportunity of finding knowledge. A massive Amen. Mission completed**********************************************to all of you, you know who you are. Merry Christmas. With love from a daughter, sister, Mum, grandmum, mum-in-law, aunt to soul sisters Yup & Sash … alias Nancy Nanc, now a Seventh Day Adventist & of course my love…Sonny Boy xxxxxxxxxxx Have a wonderful Christmas. Nancy Thomas-Ward
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 09:44:27 +0000
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