The Apostle Paul lived twenty centuries ago, yet his words still reverberate in the lives of millions. Vehemently opposed to Christ before his conversion on the Damascus road, Paul went on to spread the news about Jesus throughout what is today Greece and Türkiye. Guided by New Testament scholar Tom Yoder Neufeld, learn about the cultural contexts that shaped Paul, his message, and the life of his congregations. Gain new insight as you tour ancient Philippi, Thessaloniki, Corinth, and Athens in Greece. In Türkiye, visit sites related to the seven churches of Revelation including Sardis, Pergamum, Laodicea, and Ephesus. Also see cultural locations of interest in Greece and Türkiye including historic churches, Greek, Roman, and Islamic religious sites, and modern Istanbul.
The World of Paul in Türkiye and Greece
Itinerary
Monday, May 29 Istanbul, Türkiye
Arrive in Istanbul—the economic, cultural, and historic centre of Turkey. Meet your fellow travellers and settle into your hotel.
Tuesday, May 30 Istanbul
Discover a fabulous market—the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, the city’s centre for spice trade since the 17th century. Relax on a cruise down the Bosphorus Strait, enjoying the sights of Istanbul from a different perspective. Visit a historic Greek neighbourhood with old mansions, churches, and synagogues dating back to the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Stop at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George, the foremost Eastern Orthodox cathedral. Learn more about Istanbul’s history of inter-religious coexistence in the historic Jewish Quarter. During free time, discover more of Istanbul’s wonders on your own.
Wednesday, May 31 Istanbul
Learn about the connections in Mennonite history to Istanbul as you explore iconic sights in the city. Walk through the Hippodrome Square, the former sporting and social centre of Constantinople which hosted chariot races during the Roman period. See the Hagia Sophia—once a Greek Orthodox cathedral, then an Ottoman-era mosque, and now a museum. Hagia Sophia is an architectural gem featuring great marble pillars, a main dome, and stunning windows, and is home to some of the world’s finest mosaic art. Across the way, the still-functioning Blue Mosque gets its name from the blue tiles that cover the interior walls. Visit Topkapi Palace, former dwelling of the Ottoman Sultans, with its extensive collection of treasures. End the day with a stroll through the Grand Bazaar.
Thursday, June 1 Bursa, Türkiye
Cross the Bosphorus and make a stop in Iznik (Nicaea) to reflect at St. Sophia Church where the Nicene Creed was created. In the afternoon, head southwards—to the Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) of Bursa and the city’s ancient covered bazaar.
Friday, June 2 Pamukkale, Türkiye
Drive south through rich farming regions to the city of Sardis, one of the seven churches of Revelation. In Sardis, tour the Roman baths, the synagogue, and the Temple of Artemis with its adjoining 4th century church. While there is no evidence of Paul’s mission, the impressive synagogue tells us much about the standing of Jews in ancient times. Peruse the quickly expanding excavations of Laodicea, with its large 4th century church. Planted by the Apostle Paul, the church at Laodicea is also one of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation. Travel to Pamukkale for night.
Saturday, June 3 Kusadasi, Türkiye
At Hierapolis, next to Pamukkale, see the calcium-whitened cliffs of a natural hot springs resort founded in 200 BCE. In Pamukkale, talk about another one of the churches Paul planted in this location and remember the apostle Philip who is believed to be buried here. In the city of Aphrodisias, dedicated to Aphrodite, goddess of love, wonder at the remains of the temple, stadium, and theatre and learn more at a nearby museum. Tom will give insight into Roman imperial “theology” popular in Paul’s time.
Sunday, June 4 Izmir, Türkiye
At Ephesus, tour one of the most impressive archaeological sites on the tour. It was Paul’s home base for nearly two years. See temples, the Celsus library, the theatre, slope houses, and the church of the Virgin Mary. Visit the Archaeological Museum and the Church of Saint John, with its impressive baptistry. Also tour a present-day carpet workshop where you can purchase Turkish carpets to ship home.
Monday, June 5 Canakkale, Türkiye
Travel north to Pergamum, the location of one of the seven churches of Revelation, and the place where parchment was introduced. In Pergamum, visit the Acropolis, the Temples of Athena and Tiberius, the altar of Zeus, the world’s steepest amphitheatre, and the Asklepion, an ancient shrine and medical centre. Travel to Troy (close to Troas from which Paul left for Macedonia) and see the oldest remains on our tour (14th c. BCE) and the giant replica of the famous wooden horse of the legendary Trojan war.
Tuesday, June 6 Kavala, Greece
Take a short ferry ride from Asia to Europe across the Strait of the Dardanelles. See the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli and travel across northwestern Turkey to the Greek border. Continue to Kavala (biblical Neapolis) where Paul first arrived in Europe.
Wednesday, June 7 Thessaloniki, Greece
Visit Lydia, the traditional site of Lydia’s baptism by Paul, and then the ruins of ancient Philippi where Paul established the first European Christian church. Walk the same road on which Paul travelled to Thessaloniki. In Thessaloniki, imagine the lives of past inhabitants at the agora/forum, the church of St. Demetrius, the Arch of Galerius, and the Rotunda—which over the years has been a Roman mausoleum, a church, and a mosque.
Thursday, June 8 Kalambaka, Greece
In Veria (biblical Beroea), see the mosaic commemorating Paul’s mission here, the ancient Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the old Jewish quarter. At a museum in Vergina, learn about the Father of Alexander the Great, King Philip II of Macedon, and look at his royal tomb. Either late this afternoon or early tomorrow morning, tour one of the wonderful Greek Orthodox monasteries built on immense natural rock pillars high above the plains in Meteora.
Friday, June 9 Delphi, Greece
Watch or participate in an icon painting workshop before continuing southward through scenic valleys and mountains of central Greece to Delphi, ancient home of the Temple of Apollo and the Oracle of Delphi. Tour the site either in the afternoon or the morning following.
Saturday, June 10 Tolo, Greece
Continue through southern Greece with a stop at the monastery of Osios Loukas. Travel across the Corinth Canal to the Peloponnese Peninsula, stopping at Epidaurus, the most important site of the Greek god of healing, Asklepios, and the best-preserved Greek theatre. If time permits, briefly pause at Nafplio, the first capital of independent Greece following Ottoman rule.
Sunday, June 11 Athens, Greece
Potentially visit the site of ancient Mycenae on the way to Corinth, where Paul worked for three years. In what was once ancient Corinth, explore significant locations including the ruins of the ancient city and first-century shops, the Fountain of Peirene, the agora, the Temple of Apollo, and an excellent small museum. Pause for a time of worship and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. On the way back to Athens, pass by the ancient site of Cenchreae, home of the church leader, Phoebe. Take a guided city tour of Athens.
Monday, June 12 Athens, Greece
Explore more famous and important ancient sites in Athens—including the Acropolis with the Parthenon, the Areopagus on Mars Hill, and the Agora. During free time on your own this afternoon you may choose to shop, wander the city, or relax. Enjoy a farewell dinner together at an outdoor restaurant in Plaka, Athens’ old town.
Tuesday, June 13
Depart for home with new insight into Paul’s travels and teachings, and the life of the early church.
Italy Extension
Continue on a learning journey of the life of Apostle Paul and the Roman World. Explore the city of Pompeii which was buried by volcanic ash for a glimpse into the Roman world as Paul knew it. Continue to Rome. See the sites of Rome including the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Titus, and the Augustan Temple. Also visit the place where Paul was martyred, the Abbey of the Three Fountains. Click here for a detailed itinerary and pricing.
Check the pricing page for what is included and excluded in the tour fare.
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