egean In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Explorations in Antiquity Center A BIBLICAL CRUISE 10/11 DAYS 22nd APRIL - 2nd MAY 2016

Transcription

1 A BIBLICAL CRUISE In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Explorations in Antiquity Center The Islands & Ports of St. Paul & St. John A S egean ea 10/11 DAYS 22nd APRIL - 2nd MAY 2016 Lecturer: Dr, James Fleming Teacher: Hananniah Pinto A PRIVATE CHARTER

2 SUMMARY A S egean ea The Islands & Ports of St. Paul & St. John Fri 22nd April to Mon 2nd May 2016 Two nights in Corinth and seven nights Cruise, calling at eight ports Hours of cruising the blue Aegean sea. Sailing on routes that Paul and John knew. Exploring three of the Seven Churches. Docking at quaint unique islands. Highlights Climbing Paul s Mars Hill in Athens Addressing the Bema seat at Corinth Walking the shoreline at Phoebe s Cenchreae Relaxing and sailing the blue Aegean sea Strolling through Paul s Thessalonica Standing by Lydia s River at Philippi Sailing through the impressive Dardanelles Straights Visiting the impressive highlights of Istanbul Sitting in the great theatre at Pergamos Ambling the streets of mighty Ephesus Exploring the caves of St. John at Patmos Encountering the quaint island of Syros. On board Highlights Optional Lectures on Cruise Sites by Dr. James Fleming (Biblical Resources Jerusalem / Atlanta) Optional Seminars on Acts and the Epistles by Paul Keeys (Walk Through the Bible UK) Optional Worship A UNIQUE BIBLICAL CRUISE ROUTE Thessalonica Philippi ISTANBUL Dardanelles e g Y T U R K E Y n e a G R E E C E E A a S e Pergamum Corinth Piraeus Sy ATHENS ros Syros Patmos Ephesus Miletus PRACTICALS FLIGHTS AVAILABLE FROM ATLANTA OR NEW YORK WITH DELTA/KLM or BA/TURKISH AIRLINES Specific flight details will be announced in JUNE 2015 ACCOMMODATION ALKYON RESORT HOTEL / CORINTH BAY 2 Nights - Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th April 2016 A beautiful setting by Corinth Bay of extensive landscaped gardens with palm trees and large pool. CRUISE SHIP MV Aura 7 Nights - Monday 25th April to Monday 2nd May 2016 Please consult separate leaflet for full ship description.

3 HISTORICAL CRUISE BOAT SCHEDULE EPHESUS Visitors sailed in from the west, laden with gifts for Artemis - Diana of the Ephesians - whose temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Paul visited Ephesus on his 2nd Missionary Journey, arriving with Priscilla and Aquila, whom he had met in Corinth (Acts 18:18-22). During his 3rd Missionary Journey he lived in Ephesus for some three years, preaching in the Synagogue and in the lecture hall. His teaching appeared threatening to the cult of Artemis and those who made a living from it, and a riot ensued (Acts 19:1-41). From here he wrote to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 15:32, 16:8). ANCIENT CORINTH Situated at the Isthmus, it controlled two harbours, one serving the east and Asia, the other serving the west and Italy and so was considered wealthy. Further wealth was accrued when the celebrations of the Isthmian Games brought immense crowds. The sanctuary of Aphrodite was so wealthy that it possessed as slaves of the Temple, more than 1000 courtesans. By reason of them, the city was thronged and enriched by the sailors who spent their money easily, hence the proverb - Not for every man is the voyage to Corinth. DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART DAY 01 MON 25 APR PIRAEUS DAY 02 TUE 26 APR THESSALONICA DAY 03 WED 27 APR KAVALA DAY 04 THU 28 APR ISTANBUL DAY 05 FRI 29 APR DIKILI DAY 06 SAT 30 APR KUSADASI DAY 06 SAT 30 APR KUSADASI - - DAY 07 SUN 01 MAY PATMOS DAY 07 SUN 01 MAY SYROS DAY 08 MON 02 MAY PIRAEUS DISEMBARK Boat Schedule may be subject to change PHILIPPI St. Paul s trip into Macedonia brought him from Asia Minor to the harbour at Neapolis. Then some 9 miles northwest over the ridge to Philippi. This strategic Roman garrison city became the place of the first established church congregation, with early converts to Christianity. Here, Paul met Lydia from Thyatira by the river who subsequently with her friends were baptised. (Acts 16: 12-15)

4 GREECE DAY 1 Friday 22nd April Depart USA to Athens. DAY 2 Saturday 23rd April On arrival, travel by private coach to the hotel for room allocation. in Corinth A C thens ity DAY 3 Sunday 24th April The day by coach visiting... Mars Hill The rocky hill where St. Paul defended the Gospel before the city rulers. The Acropolis Stunning Greek architecture dominating the city. Roman Forum The bustling commercial centre in St. Paul s day. The Plakka Old Athens with its cafes, shops, and squares. City Orientation The city highlights. in Corinth MARS HILL THE ACROPOLIS P atmos &S yros DAY 10 Sunday 1st May Ship docks in Patmos in the morning. Disembark for a visit on the Island... Patmos This is the place where the apocalyptic book of Revelation was written by John during his exile. On the summit of the Island s hill visit the cave of St. John. Then enjoy some leisure time in the village port. Return to ship for Lunch. Ship sails at midday. Syros Ship docks in Syros. Leisure time in one of Greece s smallest and most enchanting islands. Ship sails in the evening. DAY 11 Monday 2nd May Ship docks in Piraeus in the morning. Disembark - then to Athens airport for the return flight. VIEW FROM THE BELL TOWER GREECE SYROS ISLAND PATMOS ISLAND

5 TURKEY E & phesus M iletus DAY 9 Saturday 30th April Ship docks in Kusadasi for departure by coach Ephesus Perhaps the most impressive archeological site in Turkey, the ancient Greek Biblical City which, according to writers of antiquity, was founded around 3000 B.C. Walk the marble-paved streets, see two theatres, the Library of Celsus and the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian. Then sit in the great Amphitheatre where Paul addressed the Ephesians. LIBRARY OF EPHESUS Miletus South by coach to this great Ionian port close to the mouth of the River Meander and the birthplace of several philosophers and sages. See the location where Paul delivered his dramatic farewell address to the elders of Ephesus before sailing to Jerusalem. ANCIENT EPHESIAN COLUMNS To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. (Revelation 2:2) P iraeus P eloponesse DAY 4 Monday 25th April Depart the hotel after breakfast by coach to visit... The Corinth Canal One of the seven wonders of the Modern world. Ancient Corinth The Gentile port of the Isthmus associated with St. Paul, Aquila and Priscilla - extensive excavations reveal something of this major sea port in Gospel days. Cenchreae The Jewish port of the Mediterranean where St. Paul shaved his head and took a vow and where Phoebe was a servant of the church. Embark At Piraeus port, board the cruise ship for cabin allocation and preparation for sailing. Ship sails in the evening. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla. (Acts 18: 1-2) GREECE THE CORINTH CANAL

6 GREECE T hessalonica & Veria DAY 5 Tuesday 26th April Ship docks in Thessalonica in the morning. Disembark for a coach journey visiting... Thessalonika Visit the Walls of the old city, Jason s House, where Paul lived and the Agora where he preached....they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures. (Acts 17: 1-2) THE WHITE TOWER OF THESSALONICA Berea Continue to Veria (ancient Berea) to the memorial commemorating Paul s preaching to the local Jews in 54 AD. Ship sails in the evening. CITY WALLS OF THESSALONICA Pergamum DAY 8 Friday 29th April Ship docks in Dikili in the morning. Disembark for a coach journey visiting... Pergamum By coach from Dikili port to this great city of Pergamum and a city of the Book of Revelation. On the Acropolis the huge base of the Altar of Zeus still stands which was probably the throne of Satan referred to by St. John (Revelation 2:13). PERGAMUM THEATRE Close by is the Temple of Athena, Hadrian s monument to Trojan and the impressive Library for which parchment was invented. The Theatre built into the hillside has perfect acoustics. Ship sails in the evening. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17) TURKEY TEMPLE OF TROJAN

7 TURKEY I stanbul C ity DAY 7 Thursday 28th April Depart the ship by coach visiting... St. Sofia Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. For nearly one thousand years, this was the largest cathedral in the world. The Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque A fine example of classical Ottomon architecture. The Basilica Cistern The largest of several hundred that lie beneath the city - cathedral size and illuminated. The Galata Tower Built in 1348 and once the tallest building. The observation deck affords magnificent views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus river. Bet Israel Synagogue A visit to the centre of the city s Jewish life. The Bazaars/Markets Some free time to catch the bargain of the day. Evening sail through the impressive Dardanelles. THE GALATA TOWER ST. SOFIA CATHEDRAL K avala & Philippi DAY 6 Wednesday 27th April Ship docks in Neapolis in the morning. Disembark for a coach journey... Kavala This is ancient Neapolis the port where Paul, Timothy and Silas landed. Philippi Visit where Paul lived, preached and was imprisoned. Time by the river where Lydia was baptised. (Acts 16:14-15) Return to ship for lunch. Ship sails in the afternoon. GREECE PORT OF NEAPOLIS NEAPOLIS TO PHILIPPI

8 HISTORICAL PATMOS A small Greek island in the Aegean Sea and one of the northernmost islands of the Dodecanese complex with a population of just under This is where St. John was imprisoned and wrote the book of Revelation. Early Christian life on Patmos however, barely survived Arab raids from the 6th to the 9th century. During this period, the Grand Basilica was destroyed. In the 11th century permission was given to build a monastery and the construction started in The Population was expanded by infusions of Byzantine immigrants fleeing the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, and Cretan immigrants fleeing the fall of Chandakas (Crete) in Patmos joined, with the rest of the Dodecanese Islands, independent Greece in JOHN ON PATMOS I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Revelation 1:9-11 (NIV) BIBLICAL PAUL AT MILETUS We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard...from Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church... When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. Excerpts from Acts 20 (NIV)