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STANDARD PROGRAM: 13 Day Course Paul's 2nd and 3rd Journey and the Early Christian Church

Starting from $2,498**Taxes & Fees Apply

This Trip Visits:

  Turkey • Greece

Trip Includes:

Roundtrip Airfare, Deluxe Motorcoaches, Guided Sightseeing, Entrance Fees to Sites Visited, First Class or Superior Tourist Hotels, Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Daily, Lecture Series on Sites, Gratuities

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  1. Day 1 - Depart USA

    Depart the USA on an overnight flight.

  2. Day 2 - Arrive in Istanbul

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    Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.

  3. Day 3 - Istanbul - Field Trip: Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome

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    Visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Walk through St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), which was the largest church in Christendom for 1000 years. Built by Justinian (532-537 A.D.), the church has 107 columns, fossil imbedded white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. See the Museum of Byzantine Art. You will also visit the Topkapi Palace, once home to royal Sultans. Inside, you will see the fabled jewels of the Treasury, delicate displays of Chinese porcelain in the Kitchen Quarters, and the provocative Harem Quarters. Istanbul's Byzantine Hippodrome was the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life, and the scene of games and riots through 500 years of Ottoman history as well. It's now a calm city park called the At Meydani (Horse Grounds) because of its function in Ottoman times. Later this afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight Izmir. Overnight in Kusadasi.

  4. Day 4 - The Ministry of Paul and John in Ephesus - Field Trip: Ephesus, Roman ruins, Church of St. John

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    Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 1: 11). In ancient days, Ephesus was a bustling port town of 250,000, graced with wide, colonnade-bordered streets. Today, you will be impressed with the spectacular excavations of the major streets of ancient Ephesus. You will view the Library and the huge Agora. The Temple of Artemis was declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, only a single column remains to mark the site. You will visit the Basilica of St. John, traditional site of his grave. From the basilica, enjoy a commanding view of the area. You will visit the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at artifacts from the ancient city. You will have time to explore this powerful city on your own and recreate some of the footsteps of Paul.

  5. Day 5 - Farewell to the Elders of Ephesus - Field Trip: Miletus, Priene, Didyma

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    Visit the excavations at Miletus, where Paul bid farewell to the elders of the church at Ephesus at the end of his Third Missionary Journey (Acts 20). Though not mentioned in the Bible, Priene had a substantial Christian community during the Byzantine period and was the seat of a bishop. Four of Priene's bishops are known: Theosebius, present at the Council of Ephesus; Isidore, who was living in 451; Paul, present at the Council of Constantinople; and Demetrius. See the ruins of Didyma, whose oracle was considered second only to Delphi in the ancient Greek world.

  6. Day 6 - The Seven Churches - Field Trip: Aphrodisias, Hierapolis, Laodicea, Colossae

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    Not far away is Aphrodisias, another town whose fame has been obscured by time. This city of marble thrived as the major center for worship of the pagan goddess Aphrodite until 500 years after Christ. Hierapolis is blessed by hot mineral springs and some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Asia Minor. Paul mentions Hierapolis in his Letter to the Colossians in saluting Epaphras, a fellow laborer, for his love of the brethren there (Colossians 4: 13). The ruins cover more than a mile. You will see the impressive amphitheatre with seats still in perfect condition. You will see the City Gates, column-lined streets and arches, which have stood through time and earthquakes. Today, the area is known as Pamukkale, meaning "Cotton Castle", named for the limestone-laden hot springs which cascade from one white-edged terrace pool to the next. The Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches (Rev. 3: 14-22), were chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3: 20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock . . . ". Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets. Famous as the receiver of Paul's Letter to the Colossians, the town of Colossae has fallen into obscurity. While you can still see traces of the theatre, the Necropolis and the Church, the ancient city is mostly indistinguishable ruins. Overnight in Pamukkale.

  7. Day 7 - The Seven Churches - Field Trip: Izmir (Old Smyrna), Sardis, Philadelphia, Thyatira

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    The third largest city in modern Turkey is Izmir, long a center for Jewish and Christian communities. In Paul's day, the town was known as Smyrna. It was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 2: 8-11). You will see the Agora, the colonnaded commercial center where Roman statues can still be seen. Travel to Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardis, "I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead"(Rev. 3: 1-6). Coins were minted and the dyeing of wool originated in Sardis. Be impressed by the massive scale of the Temple of Artemis, by the white marble Royal Road, by the gymnasium, and by the synagogue. Visit the site of Philadelphia also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 3: 7-13). Christ told those who overcame that He would write upon them "the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem." (Rev.3: 12) Today, not much is left to mark the spot. You will see an ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica. Visit Thyatira once a busy trading center, famous as a "seller of purple". Today, it is famous for Persian rugs. Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches mentioned in Revelations, tolerated the false prophetess, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18-29). Overnight in Izmir.

  8. Day 8 - The Seven Churches - Field Trip: Pergamum

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    Pergamum was another of the seven churches mentioned in Revelations (Rev. 2: 12). It displeased the Lord because it tolerated the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which Christ hated (Rev. 2:13-17). Towering 1000 feet above the town and commanding a spectacular panorama is the fabled Acropolis. As you pass through the Royal Gates, you will enter one of the great centers of classic Greek culture. You will see the foundations of the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena, and the ruins of the Library, which once held 200,000 parchment volumes. You will see the remains of the Temple of Trajan, the Grand Theatre, the Gymnasium, and the Health Center (Aesclepion). Overnight in Canakkale.

  9. Day 9 - Paul’s Ministry in Philippi - Field Trip: Philippi

    Cross the Dardanelle by ferryboat into Greece. Continue to Philippi, where Paul spoke to the women gathered by the stream. Lydia, the seller of purple, had her heart open to the words that he spoke (Acts 16) and became the first European convert to Christianity. This place is remembered with a small outdoor worship area. Nearby is a chapel whose acoustics will thrill your heart as you sing praises there! Further into Philippi, you will come across a chamber thought to have been where Paul was imprisoned here. See the famous Acropolis, Marketplace, Theater, and the remains of a great Christian Basilica that once served the Philippians. Travel to Thessaloniki for overnight.

  10. Day 10 - Paul’s Ministry in Macedonia - Field Trip: Thessaloniki, Veria (Beroea), Vergina, Dion

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    Paul was accused of turning the world upside down with his preaching of Christ in Thessalonika (Acts 17). This city is home to the Thessalonians of his letters. Stop at St. George's Basilica, built over the place tradition holds the synagogue where Paul preached once stood. Look out over the second largest city in Greece from the Old City Ramparts, portions of which were built in Roman times. Along the Via Egnatia stands the Galerus Arch, built to commemorate the Roman emperor's visit to the city. Wander the halls of the local Archaeological Museum. The city is home to two beautiful basilicas, St. Sophia and St. Demetrios. St. Demetrios is dedicated to a distinguished Roman soldier who became a martyr for his Christian faith. Veria (ancient Berea) is where Paul discovered Jews and honorable Greeks who had accepted the New Faith in the local synagogue (Acts 17). Visit Vergina, famous as the site of the ancient city of Aigai. It is also the site of many great archeological discoveries, including the tomb of Philip the II, father of Alexander the Great. See the ancient city of Dion, an important archeological site of Macedonian culture. The village gets its name from the important sanctuary built there, which was dedicated to Zeus (Dias, “of Zeus”). Continue to Larissa for overnight.

  11. Day 11 - Delphi - Field Trip: Sacred Way, Athenian Treasury, Theater, Temple of Apollo

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    Today continue your journey to Delphi, home to the religious center of the ancient Greeks and thought by them to be the center of the world. A conical stone marks the earth's omphalos ("navel"). Walk the Sacred Via to the Athenian Treasury, the Theater and the Temple of Apollo. In the temple the oracle would perform the rituals of prophecy. With innumerable pagan ruins surrounding your walk, appreciate the challenge Paul faced in preaching the Gospel of Christ in Macedonia. Stop at the Museum where many ancient treasures are stored, including a 5th Century bronzed Charioteer so finely detailed that he even has eyelashes! Continue to Athens for overnight.

  12. Day 12 - Paul’s Ministry in Athens and Corinth - Field Trip: Athens Acropolis, Areopagus (Hill of Ares or Mars Hill), the Agora, Corinthian Canal, Ancient Corinth

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    Enjoy the architectural splendors of the ancient city of Athens as you follow your guide to the world renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where the apostle Paul stood and said, "I found an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Whom you therefore ignorantly worship, Him I declare unto you" (Acts 17:23). See the Agora, the ancient market place and center of Athenian public life. Here Paul preached "Jesus and the Resurrection" (Acts 17:18) to the skeptical Athenians. Drive to ancient Corinth and on the way view the amazing Corinthian Canal. Wander the streets of ancient Corinth, home to the tent makers Aquilla and Priscilla. Here the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, saying "I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city" (Acts 18:10). Here Crispus the chief ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord, and many Corinthians also believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8). This was the beginning of the church at Corinth, to whom Paul would write two epistles. Stand on the Bema where Paul stood before the magistrate Gallo facing charges from the Jews. Walk the Marketplace and Temple of Apollo. Visit the Archaeological Museum. Return to Athens for overnight.

  13. Day 13 - Return

    Return to the USA