tour-paul-greece-october-2018‌

Delphi - Day 4

Early morning, we will depart from Athens by coach, breaking our journey in Delphi. It is a place of historical significance although there is no evidence that Paul taught here. We will spend a couple of hours, so you can see the archaeological site and museum. Close to the exit is the inscription that mentions the Roman proconsul Gallio. The reference to proconsul Gallio in the inscription provides an important marker for developing a chronology of the life of Paul.  We will continue our journey to Kalambaka where we will stay overnight.

ATHENS -  DAY 3

The next morning after a good night’s sleep and an early breakfast, we will depart for a city tour. Travelling by coach, we see all the main sights of ancient Athens, many of which are dedicated to the pagan gods which so annoyed Paul!  He found the sophisticated Athenians were hard to convert. Once we return to the Hotel, the rest of the day and evening are yours to explore and enjoy the vibrancy of Athens

VERIA - Day 5 Continued

We travel on to Veria where we stop to visit the ancient synagogue with some lovely Byzantine mosaics in the monument which commemorate his time here.  In Veria, he found a receptive Jewish community where he preached and created an important Church.  He met Sopatros, who would later become a close friend, following him when he returned to Asia.   Paul’s audience here consisted mostly of gentiles and especially of the noble women.
We arrive in Thessaloniki early evening: check-in, a little rest, drinks, and then dinner.

Thessaloniki - Day 5 evening

Metora - Day 5

We cannot miss the spectacular Meteora, the UNESCO World Heritage Site.  You can visit two of the six surviving Monasteries of Meteora one of the most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries.  Perched on almost vertical rocks are the amazing buildings. It's staggering to understand how they achieved such a feat of engineering in the 9^th century.  Paul passed through Greece long before the monasteries were built however we  feel the spirit of his message lingering here.

Thessalonians were key to Paul's mission. He returned at least twice and might even have stayed here for up to 18 months, teaching, living, spreading The Word, and establishing The Way in early Christianity. Little did Paul know, or maybe he suspected from the constant help and guidance received from the Holy spirit, that Christianity would be far by the largest religion in the world 500 years later. Now with the help of The Spirit, there are 2.5 billion Christians two thousand years later.

THESSALONIKI - Day 6

After breakfast the next day we will take you on a half day tour of this lovely city.  Starting at the Via Egnatia first visit the Cathedral of St. Demetrius, Agora, the Church of Saint Sofia, the White Tower and the Byzantine fortress of the city, and finish at the triumphal Arch of Galerius.

After lunch we will visit the Agios Pavlos district where Paul is most likely to have lived and worked. He is said to have preached to the community at The Vlatadon monastery, which was originally a synagogue. There is now a magnificent church in his name with some stunning views of Thessaloniki. In the evening we will visit a local restaurant to enjoy a simple evening meal in the manner of Paul and his followers.

Kavala

Kavala is an interesting town where he first landed with Timothy and Silas however it's now a bustling sea port. We will be able to see the Roman aqueduct and ruins of acropolis before heading to Halkidikis for dinner at our hotel.