Since around AD 600, the pre-Hispanic Mayan farming village of Joya de Cerén slept undisturbed beneath thick layers of ash four to eight meters deep. offering us a unique window into the past. With much of the Joya de Cerén yet to be excavated, each new discovery provides evidence of the ancient Mayans’ wealth of wisdom. The investigations tell us a story of a very well organized and spiritual farming community that is part of a more intricate network of cities, villages, and settlements. Moreover, the discoveries have helped researchers link some modern-day customs and practices to the ancestral activities and beliefs from which they began.

When I look at my cathedral, I think how much faith was needed so that those people could work, break stones, sculpt, to make such a masterpiece. It represents faith. That’s why I say: The cathedral is a place of prayer. All these stones breathe the faith of those who worked on them. It’s a bit like in icon theology. People who made icons, they prayed, the icon is consecrated. When you pray before the icon, the divine energy reflects upon you. It’s the same in the cathedral. The divine energy spouts out on all the people who are here and who are truly unified, appeased.

We had the honor of learning more about the Note-Dame de Paris from the Reverend Monsignor Patrick Chauvet. Monsignor Chauvet recalls some memorable moments from the long life of Notre-Dame de Paris. The vows of Louis XIII are an important moment that still resonates today, because every August 15th, we reiterate Louis XIII’s vows. Another memorable time at Notre-Dame of Paris was when Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of the French and King of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy. That’s where Napoleon was crowned. When peace was achieved after a period of conflict, Notre-Dame de Paris was the first place that the Parisians people went to in grateful celebration.

Situated at the center of Paris, France, Notre-Dame de Paris is celebrated as one of the finest exemplars of French Gothic architecture. The cathedral's name means “Our Lady of Paris” and was constructed in dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary. When was the cathedral built? The first stone was laid in 1163! And they say it took 107 years to build the cathedral. They started with the choir, which is the most important place. Then gradually, they made the nave all the way to the facade.

The Benedictine Abbey of Admont was founded in 1074 by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg. It is now the oldest remaining monastery in Styria, Austria, and one of the largest neo-Gothic sacred buildings in the country. The name Admont comes from the Latin word “ad montes,“ which means “at the mountains.” Situated amidst the gorgeous mountains of Gesäuse National Park, the magnificent Admont Abbey gloriously represents the Rule of St. Benedict of Nursia: “So that in all things God may be glorified!”

The lines and geoglyphs of Nazca and Palpa are a remarkable work of art left by ancient inhabitants of that region. The archeological site holds significant historical, spiritual, and cultural value. It represents an extraordinary manifestation of a shared religious and social practice that has lasted an impressive period of time. Let us act now to preserve and protect the precious archeological gems for our future generations to enjoy. May we strive to be better and more eco-conscious stewards of world as we work to beautify and bring positive change to our wonderful planet.

Thousands of massive figures and lines were drawn with immaculate geometric precision into the desert plains of Nazca and Palpa in Southern Peru. Due to their quantity, size, nature, and continuity, the Nazca and Palpa Lines are considered by some to be the eighth wonder of the world. Their exact origins remain a mystery. The mystifying Nazca and Palpa Lines have become an important archeological site as well as tourist destination. These remarkable designs induce awe and appreciation of the many wonders and possibilities that life holds.

This once thriving metropolis was the vibrant royal center of an empire. The ancient civilization at Angkor produced some of the world's most awe-inspiring architectural and artistic creations. Majestic remains from this amazing stone city include hundreds of temples and structures, notably the famous Angkor Wat Temple and the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom. Angkor offers scholars and visitors a precious look into a vibrant ancient civilization that fused architectural ingenuity with artistic creativity and spiritual devotion through its numerous temples and structures.

The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the earliest and most impressive Buddhist temples in India that was constructed entirely in brick. “Outstanding universal importance as it is one of the most revered and sanctified places in the world.” It is a beautiful and holy place of worship that commemorates the pivotal moment in Lord Buddha’s life when Prince Siddhartha achieved enlightenment and became the Worshipped “World-Honored One.” This revered site reminds us to escape the distractions of our illusory world and to go inward to awaken our inner greatness.

Moldova is a tiny and unique country full of pleasant surprises. It’s especially known for its warm hospitality, enchanting folklore, beautiful monasteries and extensive historical and archeological monuments. Surrounded by Romania and Ukraine, it’s considered a contact zone between three cultures-Carpathian-Balkan, Central European and Eurasian.

We will learn about some of the amazing historical, architectural and cultural achievements of North American Indigenous peoples. This advanced, highly sophisticated societies are known for their unique ability to form structures using earth itself, which also earned them the name “The Mound Builders”.

Mount Baekdu is a dormant volcano that forms the highest peak on the peninsula, reaching 2744 meters. Baekdu-san means”white head mountain,”and as its name suggests the peaks are covered in snow year-round. The Chinese call the mountain Changbaishan meaning “ever-white mountain.”Koreans consider this mountain to be their spiritual center.

The Queen of Sheba was a legendary monarch of ancient Ethiopia, who is she, the famous yet mysterious Queen of Sheba of Ethiopia? Whose life is now known in full detail.

Also known as the Green Mausoleum or Green Dome, The Mevlana Museum in Konya, Turkey is the shrine of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, a Sufi mystic and poet widely known as Mevlana or Rumi. Mevlana’s poetry composed in Persian is celebrated worldwide for their beauty and deep spirituality.

Anthropologists consider Teotihuacan to be very significant. This is due to the masterful urban planning, which included multi-story multi-family apartment, complexes laid out on a geometric grid system; in addition to a small number of detailed well-preserved murals found within the apartment compounds. In recognition of the size, design and cultural importance, Teotihuacan is a United Nations Organization of Education, Science and Culture(UNESCO)World Heritage Site.

In today’s episode, we will be visiting the place where the compassionate enlightened Master Jesus Christ spent the last days of his physical life in sacrifice to humankind, according to Christian belief. The site, in the Holy City of Jerusalem, is now known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, or, to Eastern Orthodox Christians, the Church of the Resurrection.

Cappadocia is a beautiful place in Turkey, it is a central Turkish region in Nevsehir province and is known for its exceptional beauty. It also has a rich cultural, historical, and spiritual heritage.