Omphalos

By George Gilson

That an issue concerning a religious institution and religious freedom might preoccupy an international economic conference at Delphi might seem a bit unusual to most at first blush.

All know that Delphi is the navel or "omphalos" of the earth where long ago the eagles released by Zeus met after circling the planet in flight. Few know that, putting down roots there amid the ruins, the Delphi Economic Forum is rising as Greece's answer to Davos.

An Omphalos stone, which has been found in Manavgat, a town in the southern province of Antalya, has proven the region was a prophecy center.

Isparta Süleyman Demirel University Professor Mehmet Özhanl? said his further examinations of the stone have confirmed this fact.

The pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the priestess serving as oracle of Apollo provided prophesies and answered ancient Greeks' questions, for a small donation. Delphi is known as the omphalos - Greek for 'navel of the world'. The archaeological monuments blend harmoniously with the superb mountainous landscape. Delphi in the 6th century B.C.