Cliffhanger

We actually started classes today, spending the morning in coursework on Paul's Letter to the Galatians and early archeology of Asia Minor.

Which left the afternoon for exploring Basilian monks' cave dwellings near the nearby Goreme. Monks and nuns, actually. Carving homes into the 'fragile volcanic tuff' (a tough job . . . ) the men and women's communities, usually numbering no more than 20, would come together for celebrations and major liturgies.














The chapels as well, of course, were carved into the cliffs.







These are actually 'cartoons', unfinished sketches preparing for actual icons.






Which would have looked like this:









St. Matthew flanked by two other holy guys.





The interiors were certainly cool on a sun-drenched day.


















Cool interior:






























There was certainly a lot to explore.










Brave explorer.





We were able to celebrate Mass in one of the silent chapels, which sadly haven't had monks present since the 13th century, as the Muslim presence continued to press forward.