What Book Are You Currently Reading?

[Laly]

On holiday to ... Syria? Are you not afraid?

No, I am not afraid, I think it's exciting to go there

Here is the program of my sojourn there.

I will visit Damascus, including its Christian neighbourhood, Bar Touma, where there’s the house of Saint Ananias, visited by Saint Paul. I’ll visit the Umayyad Mosque, preserving the head of Saint John the Baptist. I will visit Plais Azem, which used to be the residence of the Ottoman governors. I’ll attend the mass at the Greek Catholic Cathedral of Damascus. I will also attend a show of whirling derviches. In Damascus, I will also visit the National Museum, I will go to the caravanserai Sulaymanieh and I will go to see a show at the National Opera.

In Bosra, I’ll see the Roman theatre. In the Christian village of Seidnaya, I will visit paleo-Christian churches and be able to see the Mount Hermon, as well as the Anti-Lebanon. Then, I’ll go to the martyred Christian village of Maaloula, where I’ll visit the Saint Serge and Bacchus monastery. I will meet there Father Toufik and I will sleep there in a private house. I will see the procession and the festivities of the Fest of the Cross.

Then, I’ll visit the monastery of Mar Moussa and then I’ll go to Homs and to Aleppo. In Aleppo, I’ll visit the Christian neighbourhood of Jdeideh, and its Catholic and Armenian churches. I will meet the Archbishop of Aleppo, His Grace Masri. I will see the restauration works in Aleppo and see the citadel.

After, I’ll go to Apamea, amazing Hellenistic city, and visit the temple of Zeus and the museum. Then, I will meet locals, including fighters against al-Nosra in the martyred Christian villages of Sqalbieh and Mhardeh. Then, I’ll visit the Krak of the Knights.

Then, I’ll visit Palmyra and Saint George Convent in the Valley of Christians. I’ll also see the castle of Saladin. After, I’ll go to the coast and visit the Phoenician site of Ugarit, near Latakia. Then, I’ll attend the mass in the cathedral of Tartous and visit the museum of the former cathedral built by the Franks.

[Roy]

No, I am not afraid, I think it's exciting to go there

Here is the program of my sojourn there.

I will visit Damascus, including its Christian neighbourhood, Bar Touma, where there’s the house of Saint Ananias, visited by Saint Paul. I’ll visit the Umayyad Mosque, preserving the head of Saint John the Baptist. I will visit Plais Azem, which used to be the residence of the Ottoman governors. I’ll attend the mass at the Greek Catholic Cathedral of Damascus. I will also attend a show of whirling derviches. In Damascus, I will also visit the National Museum, I will go to the caravanserai Sulaymanieh and I will go to see a show at the National Opera.

In Bosra, I’ll see the Roman theatre. In the Christian village of Seidnaya, I will visit paleo-Christian churches and be able to see the Mount Hermon, as well as the Anti-Lebanon. Then, I’ll go to the martyred Christian village of Maaloula, where I’ll visit the Saint Serge and Bacchus monastery. I will meet there Father Toufik and I will sleep there in a private house. I will see the procession and the festivities of the Fest of the Cross.

Then, I’ll visit the monastery of Mar Moussa and then I’ll go to Homs and to Aleppo. In Aleppo, I’ll visit the Christian neighbourhood of Jdeideh, and its Catholic and Armenian churches. I will meet the Archbishop of Aleppo, His Grace Masri. I will see the restauration works in Aleppo and see the citadel.

After, I’ll go to Apamea, amazing Hellenistic city, and visit the temple of Zeus and the museum. Then, I will meet locals, including fighters against al-Nosra in the martyred Christian villages of Sqalbieh and Mhardeh. Then, I’ll visit the Krak of the Knights.

Then, I’ll visit Palmyra and Saint George Convent in the Valley of Christians. I’ll also see the castle of Saladin. After, I’ll go to the coast and visit the Phoenician site of Ugarit, near Latakia. Then, I’ll attend the mass in the cathedral of Tartous and visit the museum of the former cathedral built by the Franks.

Isn't the head of John the Baptist on display in Rome? I mean the real one. What's your take on it?

[Damião de Góis]

Historical novel on Gerald the Fearless, a figure from the Reconquista.

[Laly]

Isn't the head of John the Baptist on display in Rome? I mean the real one. What's your take on it?

Good question! Where is the real head of Saint John the Baptist? Actually, several places claim to have the head of the saint, there are several hagiographic traditions on the topic.

For ex., the Cathedral of Amiens in France also claims to have it:

[Incal]

Good question! Where is the real head of Saint John the Baptist? Actually, several places claim to have the head of the saint, there are several hagiographic traditions on the topic.

For ex., the Cathedral of Amiens in France also claims to have it:
]

BTW, do you think the shroud of Turin is legit?

[Incal]

From the antique shop:

[Batavia]

[Incal]

WHY NATIONS FAIL

[Ellethwyn]

[Tutankhamun]