Footsteps of Paul in Greece, Cyprus and Rome

Today, you begin your Biblical journey to Thessaloniki! Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, you will be transferred to your hotel to drop off your bags. 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 synagogues and very few Jews, so Paul decided to wait for the Sabbath and go to the riverbanks outside the city. There, he began to talk to the women that gathered there; amongst them, Lydia-the first person to be Baptized in European soil-she and her whole household became believers. During your tour in Philippi, you will have the opportunity to visit and study your Bible in the actual place where the Baptism took place, called "Lydia's Baptistry." You will also see the place where Paul and Silas were imprisoned and freed by a violent earthquake. From there, you will continue to Kavala; the site used to be Ancient Neapolis where Paul, Timothy, and Silas landed. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki

Apostle Paul came to Thessaloniki and went straight to the Synagogue. As described in your Bible in Acts 17:1-9, Paul preached in the Synagogue for three consecutive Sabbaths, and he gained many followers who believed. A couple of the Jews who were not persuaded created an uproar and attacked the House of Jason, one of the believers Paul was staying with during his visit. During your tour, you will have the Biblical Experience of those verses as you will see the agora in Thessaloniki, where Paul preached to the local Jews, and the House of Jason, where he lived! You will also have the opportunity to visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert, and see the Galerius Arch rising over the famous via Egnatia. Continue to Berea, as described in Acts 17:10-15 Paul and Silas go to Berea and preach at the Synagogue. Many of the Jews became believers, but Paul's ministry was cut short. While you are in Berea, you will see St. Paul's Bema, where he preached to the local Jews in 54 AD. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka

This morning, we visit the famous Meteora Monasteries. Here we see the world-famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliff side caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Continue to Athens for dinner and overnight.

In 51 AD, Apostle Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by boat. His boat anchored at Faliron that used to be the main port serving Athens. Apostle Paul traveled from port to Athens. While waiting for Silas & Timothy to come from Macedonia, he spent most of his time talking with citizens at the Synagogues and the Agora. The Athenians took an interest in his teachings and invited him to present it more analytical at the Aeropagus, the hill west of Acropolis. Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and gave his famous Aeropagus Sermon, emphasizing the need to known God rather than worship the unknown as described in Acts 17:16-34. Follow your guide on a journey to the ancient Acropolis where you will see the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where Paul preached the gospel to the intellectual Athenian community of his day (Acts 17: 15-34). View the ruins of the Agora, ancient market place and center of Athenian public life, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. You will view the Olympic Stadium, where the modern Olympics began and where the games returned in 2004. Continue to Corinth, Corinth Visit Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired of St. Paul's most familiar 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 and visualize his address to the Gentiles as he began the task of building Corinth's church. Imagine where Aquila and Priscilla lived and where they had their tent making business. 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.

Today we are leaving Greece for a taste of Biblical Cyprus. According to the Bible, in Acts 13:4-12, Paul and his companion Barnabas arrived in Cyprus during their first missionary journey. Their visit to the island marked a pivotal moment in the spread of Christianity. Upon arrival in Cyprus continue to your hotel afternoon free. Dinner and overnight at your hotel

This morning we begin our Biblical journey in Cyprus. First stop the St. Lazarus Church, an important Orthodox Christian pilgrimage site dedicated to the biblical figure Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. The church houses an exquisite iconostasis and a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture. Travel to Paphos, a city closely associated with the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys. In Acts 13:6-12, Paul and Barnabas encountered the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus in Paphos, marking the conversion of Cyprus's first notable Christian. Visit St. Paul's Pillar, believed to be the location where St. Paul was flogged before the proconsul's conversion. This site serves as a reminder of the early Christian history of Cyprus. Enjoy the stunning view of the legendary Aphrodite's Rock, where according to Greek mythology, the goddess Aphrodite emerged from the sea. This natural wonder adds a mythological dimension to your tour. End with a visit Agia Solomoni Catacomb, an early Christian burial site with frescoes and an atmosphere steeped in history and spirituality.Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

This morning you tour the Biblical port of Salamis, its mention in Acts 13:4-5 as the starting point of Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey. Visit the St. Barnabas Monastery, dedicated to St. Barnabas, one of the key figures in early Christianity. Explore the impressive church, the archaeological museum, and the final resting place of St. Barnabas, Cyprus's patron saint. Step back in time as you explore the vast Salamis Archaeological Site, featuring well-preserved remnants of the city, including Roman baths, a theater, and a gymnasium. Walk along the ancient harbor of Salamis, where vessels of old once docked, and where Paul and Barnabas may have arrived during their journey. Visit the Roman Theater of Salamis, where cultural and religious events were held in antiquity. Reflect on the historical context of early Christian gatherings in this setting. Return back to Limassol for Dinner and overnight.

Today, you continue your Biblical Journey in Rome. Upon Arrival in Rome, you will head for the heart of the eternal city. Enjoy an orientation walk with your tour director and lunch in one of the famous squares. Continue to your hotel for Dinner and overnight.

This morning you start your day at the most inspiring place, Tre Fontane (Abbey of Three Fountains). Tradition tells us Paul was martyred outside the walls of Rome at a place most people have never heard of—one of the Christian sites not on the tourist maps. Don't confuse Tres Fontane with the famous Trevi Fountain. It's called Tres Fontane ("Three Fountains") because, according to legend, after Paul's head was cut off, it bounced three times, and three fountains sprung up!  You gather at the gardens here for your Teaching. Next, you see the Church of St Paul outside the walls; many believe Paul is buried here.

 

Paul went to Rome as a prisoner in chains; Acts 2-28 tells us the story, Arrested in Jerusalem, and imprisoned at Caesarea for two years, Paul appealed to Caesar and suffered a shipwreck on his way to Rome as a prisoner. After two years, Paul was released from his imprisonment, after which he traveled and wrote two more epistles before his final Roman imprisonment in Mamertine Prison. You visit Mamertine prison today. You continue with a walking tour through Roman Forum and towards the Arch of Titus; the Arch's inside relief portrays Roman soldiers carrying off treasures from Jerusalem Temple, destroyed by Titus in 70 AD. Jesus predicted this destruction (MATH 24:1-2) . We continue to Pantheon, Piazza Navona & Trevi Fountain. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel.

This morning you visit The Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica. Almost all Christians martyred in the Circus of Gaius/Nero—the site where St. Peter's Square now stands. The Egyptian obelisk in the center of the square is original to the circus, though it stood in a different spot. Here Peter was crucified, according to tradition, upside down ( John 21:18-19). He is most likely buried deep beneath the Basilica in the original burial cave. In the afternoon you continue to the Catacombs. Most famous for the early Christians buried here, the catacombs offer an essential contribution to early Christian art. Early frescoes and sculptures still exist in the catacombs. Most touching are the smaller burial spots carved out for children who had died. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel