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14-Day |
Day 1 - NEW YORK
Depart JFK Int'l Airport on our
transatlantic flight to begin our journey of the Seven Churches of
Asia (meals in flight)
Day 2 - ATHENS
Arrival in Athens; met at airport
by World Wide Christian Tours repre- sentative and transferred to our
hotel. Remainder of day at our leisure to become familiar with our
new surroundings. (dinner)
Day 3 - ATHENS
Today we begin a full city tour
of Athens. Apostle Paul and his party first came to Greece on his 2nd
missionary journey in response to a night vision he had (Acts
16:9-10). Visit the Agora, where Paul entered into discussions and
"preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection" (Acts
17:18). Also here, Socrates taught and was forced to drink the deadly
hemlock. Continue to Mars Hill (also called the Aeropagus), where
Paul was brought before the council and delivered his great sermon
(Acts 17:19-34). Tour also includes the Pnyx, the Thesseum, the
National Archaelogical Museum, and many other monuments, museums, and
art galleries. Remainder of day at your leisure, maybe to do some
shopping. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight. (breakfast, dinner)
Day 4 - ATHENS/CORINTH
Our excursion takes us to Corinth
today. After ministering in Athens and meeting much opposition, Paul
departed from them (about 50 A.D.) and went to Corinth, where he
preached and lived for two years (Acts 17:32-34;18:1). Corinth was
the capital of what is now Southern Greece, called Achaia. Here is
where Paul met and resided with Priscilla and Aquila who had come to
Corinth because Claudius had expelled all Jews from Rome (Acts
18:2,3). Following fairly close the same land tour that Paul took,
our tour will continue on to ancient Corinth by the coastal road
along the Saronic Gulf. Visit the archaeological site of Corinth
where many ruins are still visible—the Forum, the most famous
temple Shrine of Apollo, the Museum, the Acro-corinth where atop was
the temple of Aphrodite (goddess of love), and many other sites. Most
Corinthians were given over to the worship of Aphrodite making
Corinth the most notorious seat of immorality in the Roman Empire.
During his 2nd journey, Paul wrote the epistles to the Thessalonians.
Also, It is believed that Paul most likely wrote the epistle to the
Romans during his 3rd journey (about 55-56 A.D.). Return to Athens
for dinner and overnight. (breakfast, dinner)
Day 5 - CRUISE
BEGINS—MYKONOS
Escorted to peir at Piraeus today
to board our cruise ship, with our first port of call being the
beautiful islands of Mykonos—the dazzling white Cycladic isles.
(all meals)
Day 6 - CRUISING—RHODES
After a restful night at sea, a
full day in Rhodes, the island of butter- flies and roses. Optional
tour will take you to the Acropolis of Lindos and to the Old Town
built by the Crusaders. Paul came here during 3rd journey as he
hurriedly sailed from the Aegean area in hopes to be back in
Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. (all meals)
Day 7 - CRUISE
ENDS—PATMOS/KUSADASI
Morning arrival in Patmos, a
bare, rocky island used by Roman government as a place for the
banish- ment of criminals, who were forced to work the island’s
mines. The Apostle John was sent here by the Emperor Domitian in 95
A.D. and it was while in exile on Patmos he received the visions
recorded in the Book of the Revelation (1:9,10). View the monastery
of St. John which commemorates this event. Our cruise comes to an end
at the pier of the colorful harbor town in Turkey, Kusadasi, along
the shores of a glittering bay. Escorted to hotel for dinner and
overnight. (all meals)
Day 8 - KUSADASI/EPHESUS/LAODICEA/HIEROPOLIS/PAMUKKALE
After breakfast, travel on to
explore the Greco-Roman and Christian remains which make up Ephesus*
(now called Selcuk), where Paul first came on his 2nd journey (Acts
18:19-21), including the last earthly home of Mary, mother of Jesus,
and St. John’s Basilica. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World—the great temple of goddess Artemis (Greek) or Diana
(Roman), was located here. Her image was said to have fallen down
from heaven and the temple was built where she fell. Paul returned to
Ephesus on his 3rd journey, staying and preaching for a period of
about two years, where "special miracles" were wrought
(Acts 19:1-20, 20:20). The Apostle John was one of the early leaders
of the church at Ephesus; it is believed he brought Mary, mother of
Jesus, here (John 19:25-27). Our Lord’s commen- dation of this
church, in His epistle, is indeed very gracious (Revelation 2:1-7).
The first epistle to the Corinthians was written by Paul from Ephesus
during his 3rd jour- ney (55-56 A.D.). Many believe he wrote epistle
to Galatians from here also on his 2nd or 3rd jour- ney, as well as
the epistles to Philippians, Colossians, and Phile- mon while in
imprisoned in Ephesus on his 3rd journey, rather than the belief some
hold he wrote them while imprisoned in Rome (62 A.D.), when the
epistles were dispatched. According to tradition, Apostle John is
believed to be the same John who wrote the gospel and epistles of
John prob- ably about 90 A.D. from Ephesus. Continue this afternoon
to Laodicea*
(Denizli), once destroyed by an earthquake in the first century and
rebuilt by Marcus Aurelius. It was the seat of a Christian Church
(Colossians 2:1;4:13,15,16); its letter is full of awesome warning
(Reve- lation 3:14-22). Laodicea is now a heap of ruins called by the
Turks Eski Hissar—"Old Castle"; some of the remains
can still be seen. Next a visit to the ancient city of Hier- opolis
(which means holy city), home of Phillip, to visit the necropolis,
churches, and baths. Continue on for dinner & over- night in
Pamukkale with its tiers of white limestone. (breakfast, dinner)
Day 9 - PAMUKKALE/PHILADEL- PHIA/SARDIS/SMYRNA
First stop this morning will be
the New Testament city of Philadephia* (meaning
"brotherly love"), now known as Alashehir. It is said that
Christianity was longer taking root here than in some other places;
many of its early Christians were martyred. The letter addressed to
it is the only one containing no condemnation (Revelation 3:7-13).
There is almost no evidence today of the city of John’s time. No
excavations have yet been made. Continuing on to the little village
of Sart, where the nearby ruins of ancient Sardis*
are located. Chris- tianity was brought to Sardis at an early period
to which its letter is addressed in the Book of Reve- lation (3:1-6).
Some excavations of the old city have been made and can be viewed.
After lunch, travel on to Izmir, ancient city of Smyrna*,
and enjoy a tour and visit to church of Smyrna. Here was where the
Risen Lord addressed epistles (Revelation 2:8-11). Polycarp, the
noted bishop of the church of Smyrna, was martyred here about 169
A.D. The ruins of the Roman agora—the market place—take the
visitor back to apostolic days. The citadel, known as the Kadifekale,
built by Alexander the Great on Mount Pagos (elevation 525 ft.), will
be viewed overlooking the city. There will be time to shop here. In
Paul’s time, he was not allowed to preach in Asia (Acts 16:6)
where Philadelphia, Sardis, and Smyrna were located. Overnight in
Izmir. (breakfast, lunch)
Day 10 - SMYRNA/THYATIRA/PERGAMOS/CANAKKALE
Our journey today begins on the
road to Thyatira*
(Akhisar), a city noted for its dying industry; at no place could
scarlet cloth be so brilliantly or permanently dyed as here.
Paul’s first convert in Eur- ope, Lydia, who accepted the Lord
at Philippi, was a seller of purple from Thyatira (Acts 16:14). The
Lord addressed one of the letters of Revelation to the church at this
place (Revelation 2:18-29). Next we visit ancient city of Pergamos*
(Pergamum/Bergama). Revelation 2:12-17 records the letter written to
the Christian church of Perga- mos; verse 13 of this passage speaks
of "Satan’s seat" being here (Pergamos was a center of
idol- atry). The great altar of Zeus on the acropolis has been
suggested as fulfilling this name; this altar was excavated in
excellent con- dition and was transported to Germany. Other
excavations and Greco-Roman remains will be seen. Paul was not
allowed to preach here, either, as these cities were also part of
Asia. Travel on to Canakkale for dinner and overnight. (breakfast, dinner)
Day 11 - CANAKKALE/TROAS/ ISTANBUL
After breakfast, travel to
ancient Troas (Troy), where Paul on his 2nd journey saw a vision of
the man from Macedonia inviting him to come there (Acts 16:8-12).
Paul also came to Troas and preached during his 3rd journey (Acts
20:6-12). Other references to Troas are II Corinthians 2:12,13 and II
Timothy 4:13. Continue on for drive to Istanbul (formerly called
Constantinople) with lunch along the way. Part of this city is in
Asia, but mostly lies in Europe. Explore many of the archeological
treasures including the beautiful, biblical mosaics in the Kariye and
Hagia Sophia Museums, the stained glass, tiled interior of the Blue
Mosque, and courtyards and buildings of Topkapi Palace. Overnight in
Istanbul. (breakfast, lunch)
Day 12 - ISTANBUL/GREEK-
TURKISH BORDERS/ THESSALONICA
This morning we depart for the
Greek-Turkish Borders with final destination at Thessalonica
(Salonika), capital of the province of Macedonia (northern Greece). (breakfast,dinner)
Day 13 - THESSALONICA/ PHILIPPI
Our excursion today begins in
Thessalonica visiting the many churches, museums, and other important
sites. Paul founded the first Christian church in Europe here during
his first visit on his 2nd journey, and preached in the synagogue for
three weeks, later being sent away by brethren due to a great Jewish
disorder (Acts 17:1-14). Continue on to Philippi, where Paul first
came on his 2nd journey in response to the vision in Troas, to see
ruins of the uninhabited site dating from the 2nd century, museums,
the Theatre, Citadel, and many other points of interest. The actual
city in Paul’s time has not come to light; site today is called
Felibedjik. The first Christian convert in Europe was a business
woman, Lydia from Thyatira, who was baptized along with her household
(Acts 16:13-15). Philippi is also the place where Paul and Silas were
cruelly beaten, imprisoned, and delivered from their bonds. Some
believe Paul wrote the epistles to Romans, II Corinthians and
Galatians from Macedonia (most likely Phillipi) during his 3rd
journey. Return to Thessalonica for dinner and overnight. (breakfast, dinner)
Day 14 - THESSALONICA/NEW YORK
Today we transfer to the airport
for our flight back to the USA--after being spiritually uplifted by
our wonderful and unforgettable journey in the steps of Apostle Paul.
(all meals)
TOUR
COST & DEPARTURE DATES:
$3,399.00
- June 6 &
Sept 6 '05
$3,149.00
- March 20 '06
(Price is per person, based on 25
paying passengers, dbl. occ.; sgl. supp.--add $675.00)
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TRIP INCLUDES:
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NOT INCLUDED:
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Time allowed in itinerary to attend worship services for all faiths |