“I, John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patience which are in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus . . . . I heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet, saying “What thou seest, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea . . .” Revelations I-9..
Day 1:
Arrival at Athens Airport and meet your hosts.
Day 2:
In the morning, drive to ancient Corinth, visiting the museum and the Roman Forum where the Temple of Apollo stood, and the Bema where St. Paul was tried before Gallio (Acts 18:12). In the afternoon we visit the Acropolis and the Aeropagus (Mars Hill).
Day 3: :
Early morning flight to Samos, an island near the coast of Asia Minor that enjoyed great prosperity in ancient times. In biblical history Paul’s ship touched at Samos (Acts 20:15). We visit the Heraion and the monastery of the Blessed Virgin (Panaya), and stay overnight in Samos.
Day 4:
Morning departure to Kusadasi, Turkey. Visit to Ephesus, site of one of the seven churches, where we find a large and beautiful city with a library, baths, theatre, market place and marble roads, much of it still standing. Ephesus has been called “the Vanity Fair of the ancient world” and was the supreme metropolis of Asia. We visit the museum in the village of Seljuk and the Basilica of St. John, where tradition claims that St. John was buried. Overnight in Izmir.
Day 5:
Smyrna is one of the seven cities claiming to be Homer’s birthplace – and one of the sever churches. We make a day excursion to Philadelphia now called Alashehir. Then to Sardis to see the Acropolis, the temple of Artemis, the Gymnasium and Synagogue, returning to Izmir for the night.
Day 6:
Most of the ruins of Ancient Thyatira lie under the present city of Akhisar, a thriving Turkish town. We continue to Pergamum, center of the cult of Emperor- worship in Asia Minor. Its Acropolis offers a breathtaking view, and we visit the Temple of Athena, the site of the famous library, the Trajaneum, theater and Asklepium. Overnight in Izmir.
Day 7:
In the morning visit the Roman Forum of Izmir and the archeological museum. We depart from Kusadasi to spend the night in Samos.
Day 8: Sail to Patmos in the morning (two hours) to visit the impressive monastery of St. John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse,returning to Samos by boat for the night.
Day 9:
Fly to Athens to connect with your flights home.
Special Features
- Study leader and Turkish guide.
- Dinner in Samos with Greek specialties.
- Lunch near Ephesus at a village.
- Lectures on the Apocalypse and the “Seven Churches”.
- Booklet with the History of Greece and Turkey for all participants.