Exploring Paul’s Journeys in Greece | Featured image: “Saint Paul delivering the Areopagus Sermon in Athens” by Raphael in 1515.
Paul the Apostle
St. Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was born to Jewish parents in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia. He was a Pharisee and received a Greek education. While studying at the School of Hillel in Jerusalem, he was known for his excessive zeal for his ancestral traditions and persecuted Christians. However, on his way to Damascus, he had a life-changing encounter with the glorified resurrected Christ and converted to Christianity. According to the account, he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?…” (Acts 9:4-5). This experience led him to proclaim Christ as Saviour in the synagogues of Damascus.
Paul’s Four Missionary Journeys
In the early days of his ministry after his conversion, Paul embarks on four missionary journeys. With the first mission, Barnabas led Paul, and they travelled from Antioch to Cyprus, then to southern Asia Minor, before returning to Antioch.
In the late 49 A.D., St. Paul began his second evangelic mission by sailing from Jerusalem to the eastern Mediterranean. During this period, he preached in Greece and managed to Christianize the region. The town of Phillippi in Northern Greece became the first European city to receive St. Paul’s preaching. It was also where Paul and Silas were imprisoned, and an earthquake opened the prison gates. Although they could have escaped, they chose to remain, and this event led to the jailer’s conversion (Acts: 16, 25-40). They continued their journey through Veroia and Athens, where Paul preached to the Athenian Synagogue and the Greek philosophical circles on the Areopagus. After that, they moved to Corinth, where Paul spent 18 months between 50 and 52 A.D.
Paul’s third journey took him through Galatia, Asia, Macedonia (northern Greece), and Corinth (Achaia), concluding in Jerusalem. He was imprisoned in Caesarea for two years and later spent two years under house arrest in Rome. His fourth journey may have included Spain, Crete, Asia, Achaia (southern Greece), and Macedonia (northern Greece).
Source: Viz.Bible
Exploring Paul’s Journeys in Greece
Paul’s writings are among the earliest texts of the New Testament and hold great significance for modern-day pilgrims keen to retrace his missionary journeys. Total Advantage Travel and Collette have collaborated to offer a unique combination of pilgrimage, cruise, and escorted tours to meet this demand for our clients. The “Greece: In the Footsteps of St. Paul, the Apostle” tour follows a standardized pilgrimage route established since the Middle Ages, allowing travellers to experience the beauty and spirituality of this historic journey.
The archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, Greece.
The archaeological site of Philippi, near Kavala, Greece.
Ancient Corinth, Southern Greece (Achaea).
The Acropolis of Athens. Exploring Paul’s Journeys in Greece.
About the Tour, “Greece: In the Footsteps of St. Paul”
This package tour offers a fantastic journey through Greece, filled with unique sites of archaeological, spiritual, and natural interest. You will have the chance to follow the route St. Paul took in ancient times. You will visit Corinth, where he preached, and other locations that influenced the development of Christianity.
Your journey will allow you to witness and appreciate the magnificent monasteries in Meteora, which seem to defy gravity and are truly awe-inspiring. Furthermore, you will have the chance to experience the profound spirituality of the Cave of Apocalypse, situated on the beautiful island of Patmos. These destinations will surely leave you unforgettable memories, tranquillity, and reflection. You will also have the opportunity to experience the diverse natural environment of mainland Greece, with its traditional villages and vibrant cities.
Greek Island Cruise
Moreover, you will embark on a beautiful cruise around a group of Greek islands, each with its distinct lifestyle. You will have the opportunity to:
- Visit the sacred island of Patmos.
- Discover the cosmopolitan Mykonos.
- Soak in the enduring culture of Crete.
- Marvel at the wondrous beauty of the volcanic island of Santorini.
- Take a shore excursion to the Ancient Greek city of Ephesus from the coastal resort of Kusadasi, Türkiye.
This package offers a unique and enriching experience combining history, spirituality, and natural beauty.
Experience the Magnificence of a Destination that Holds Significant Religious Importance
Faith tours offer humbling and awe-inspiring excursions that take you on a journey of both the body and soul. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you with all your travel needs.
Exploring Paul’s Journeys in Greece – Faith-Based Travel
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