7-16 July 2024 Following the Life & Teaching of Apostle Paul in Greece Tour & 3 Day Cruise

Welcome to Thessaloniki, Greece!. Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy some free time before dinner. Overnight in Thessaloniki

Apostle Paul visited Philippi together with Silas during his Second Missionary Journey. Our first Biblical encounter with Philippi is through Act 16:11-40. At the time, Philippi had no synagogue and very few Jews, so Paul decides to wait for the Sabbath and go to the riverbanks outside the city. He began to talk to the women that gathered there, amongst them, Lydia-the first person to be Baptized on European soil-she and her household became believers. During your tour in Philippi, you will have the opportunity to visit and study the Bible where the Baptismal service took place called “Lydia’s Baptistry.” You will also see the prison where Paul & Silas where taken, and where the incident of the violent earthquake took place. After that, you will continue to Kavala; the site known as Ancient Neapolis where Paul, Timothy, and Silas landed for Paul’s Second Missionary Journey. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

This morning you drive to Berea, as described in Acts 17:10-15 Paul and Silas went to Berea and preached at the Synagogue. Many of the Jews became believers, but Paul’s ministry was cut short. While in Berea, you will see the Bema of the Apostle Paul, where he preached to the local Jews. Afterward, you will drive back to Thessaloniki. When Paul came to Thessaloniki he went straight to the Synagogue; as described in the Bible in Acts 17:1-9, Paul preached in the Synagogue for three consecutive Sabbaths, and he gained followers. Some of the Jews who were not persuaded created an uproar and attacked Jason’s House, where Paul stayed with during his visit. During your tour, you will view the agora in Thessaloniki, where Paul preached to the local Jews, as well as Jason’s House. You will also have the opportunity to visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyr of Christianity, also you will see the Arch of Galerius rising over the famous Egnatia Road. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

This morning you are leaving Thessaloniki making your way to Athens via bus (flight option available at extra cost), taking the same direction as Paul did. You will spend most of your day onboard the bus, giving you plenty of time to reflect on your trip so far and prepare spiritually for the coming days. Upon arrival in Athens you will continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Athens In 51 AD, Apostle Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by boat. His boat anchored at Faliron that used to be one of the main ancient ports of Ancient Athens. Paul walked from the port to the city of Athens. While waiting for Silas & Timothy to come from Macedonia, Greece, he spent most of his time talking with citizens at the Synagogue and in the Agora. The Athenians took an interest in his teachings and invited him to present it more analytical on the Aeropagus, the hill west of the Acropolis (Mars Hill). Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and gave his famous Aeropagus Sermon, emphasising the need to “a known God” rat her than worship the “unknown” as described in Acts 17:16-34. Follow your guide on a visit to the Acropolis where you will see the Propylaea, the Parthenon, the Erectheum, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Touring through modern Athens You will view the Olympic Stadium, where the modern Olympic games began and where the games returned in 2004. Continue to Corinth. Corinth Visit Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired one of St. Paul’s most famous letter. You will visit the Archeological Museum, the Market Place, and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Read Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, addressing his message to the Gentiles as he began the task of establishing his church in Corinth. Acts 18:9-11 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Return to Athens for Dinner and overnight.

You sail this morning from the port of Athens, Piraeus starting your 3 Day Cruise. The first port of call the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of the Windmills. Experience the waterfront lined up with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner and evening entertainment.

Ancient Ephesus This morning you are docked in Kusadasi, Turkey, and start your excursion to ancient Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world and its former glory can still be appreciated today from its well- preserved streets, temples, fountains, public baths, terraced houses, and theatres. Paul went to Ephesus on his third Missionary journey, staying and preaching for a period of about two to three years, and where several certain incidents took place (Acts 19:120, 20:20). It was to this community that Paul may have written his epistle to the Ephesians. You will visit the ancient Agora and go back in time where Demetrius, the silversmith, sold his silver shrines to the Ancient Greek goddess, Artemis. See the Library of Celsius and view the Great Theatre mentioned in the Book of Acts. After the morning visit return to the ship Patmos In the afternoon you reach the island of Patmos, Greece. During your tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse. John was on exile on the island of Patmos where in the Grotto he wrote the Book of Revelation. Rev 1:11 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Your tour will continue with a visit to St. John’s Monastery before you go back to your cruise ship.

Crete Crete is the largest and the most rugged of the Greek islands. On your tour, you will discover Heraklion the capital, and the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. Paul landed on Crete at “Kaloi Limenes”, Fair Heavens, on his way to Rome on his last missionary journey. He stayed briefly in Crete and then continued his journey to Rome. He left Titus on the island to establish the churches and appoint the elders. Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. After the visit, you will return to the ship. Santorini In the afternoon you use tender boats to visit the island of Santorini, Greece. Santorini which is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Phira(the capital) where white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs, is accessible by footpath, cable-car or mule.

This morning you arrive back at the port of Piraeus where you will meet our Biblical Cruises staff for the transfer to your hotel. As this is your final day in Athens you are free to explore and do some last-minute shopping. Farewell dinner and overnight in Athens.