We start our spiritual journey in the port city of Thessalonica (Acts 17:6) where Paul preached the Gospel to the congregations of the early Christian church and it is also to them that he sent his first and second letters. Stay Overnight in Thessalonica.
Paul paid several visits to Philippi which, it is thought, is where he first preached in Europe and established the first European church (Acts 19:19). Our outing to Philippi will include the river where Lydia was baptised and the ancient forum and jail where Paul and Silas sang praises to God at midnight while in captivity We will enjoy lunch and some free time in the harbour town of Kavala (Neapolis) (Acts 16:11) before returning to Thessalonica for the night.
Today we head southwest to Vergina (ancient Agea) where we’ll visit the tomb of Phillip II, who was the King of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great. The museum houses breathtaking gold artefacts . Our next stop is the charming town of Berea to view the Byzantine mosaic monument commemorating Paul’s preaching (Acts 17:10-11). Leaving Berea, we will take a scenic drive to Kalambaka, in central Greece where we stay overnight.
Kalambaka is at the foot of the Meteora pinnacles. Precauriously perched on top of the sandstone pillars are the famous Meteora. The second largest complex of monasteries in Greece. We will visit two of the most important of the six monasteries built in the 14th century which house superb authentic Byzantine icons, manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes. We stay overnight in Delphi.
The Archaelogical Site of Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will spend the morning at the site and visit the Archeological museum. After lunch, our next stop will be our hotel in Athens.
In the morning we will go to the Hellenic Ministries in Lydia Street in Athens. The inspiring work of the Hellenic Ministries includes the Hope Centre, crisis pregnancy home; ministry to refugees and gypsies; as well as medical, educational and legal aid programmes. The Ministries are reaching out to people in desperate need of physical and spiritual help and hope. In the early evening we will join Hellenic Ministries’ Love Meal project which is feeding and ministering to hundreds of refugees. We will spend the night in Athens.
Our first stop today will be the historic Corinth Canal, with Ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) next. Paul lived and worked in Corinth for about two years alongside Aquila and Priscilla. Later he sent his two epistles to the strong church he established here.
We’ll then travel to Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece. It is described as the most beautiful of all mainland towns, with its Venetian and Turkish buildings, twisting streets and sophisticated atmosphere.
Our City tour will include a l walk up the Acropolis Hill to wander around the Parthenon Temple, Erechtheion and Temple of Athena Nike before walking down the bare marble Mars’ Hill, where Paul spoke to the philosophers of his day about the “Unknown God”. Next we will head for the Agora, once the centre of public life in Athens and where Paul reasoned with the sceptical Athenians. After visiting the captivating modern Acropolis Museum (optional ) we will have time to explore and shop in Plaka at leisure. That evening our tour will come to an end with a traditional Greek dinner at one of the best restaurants in Plaka, accompanied by live music and dance performances. We will overnight in Athens.
After breakfast at our hotel it will be time to say goodbye one last time, check-out and transfer to Athens Airport for our flights back home. Our pilgrimage is over, our hearts are full, we have made new friends and some of Paul’s experiences and teachings have come alive for us.
