The Cup

NOTES

Many of the places described in these pages are real. Sumela monastery is now a tourist attraction. Mor Gabriel is still a functioning Syriac monastery and is under immense pressure from the Turkish government to give up most of its property.

Darraya is under siege at the time of this writing and may have fallen by the time this book reaches your hands. The hidden library is real and was created by students as a place of refuge and learning with materials salvaged from the ruins of what was once a beautiful city. As far as I know, the library is not located under the ruins of a Syriac church, nor is there a hidden crypt containing a mysterious box at that location.

The legend of the Grail is woven into the collective fabric of the Christian West. Whether the cup exists or not, it is an enduring symbol of the power of something greater than ourselves that exists beyond our limited perception. The Grail can point the way to healing of mind and spirit, regardless of our individual religious beliefs.

The story of King Arthur, his Knights, and their quest for the Grail emerged in the Middle Ages. It was a dark time in history. Life expectancy was short. Violence and death were always waiting, whether you were rich or poor. Nothing was certain, nothing was secure.

The tale of King Arthur and the Grail is a spiritual teaching, encouraging us to seek the nurturing source of spirit. It was also darn good entertainment back then, sitting around the fire and listening to the minstrel. The story has it all. Love, hate, courageous deeds, fearsome enemies, burdensome duties, incest, betrayal and lust; all can be found in the legend. All of it centered around the quest for redemption and healing.

I hope you have enjoyed this book.

Alex Lukeman

August, 2016