Anatolia has been the
centre of Christianity
ever since St. Paul,
St. Peter, St. John.
Many other apostles
came here to preach
the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. This intensive
religious effort bore
fruit in the building
of
"Seven Churches of
Revelation" in
seven major cities
throughout western
Turkiye.
Day 1
Early morning flight
or night bus to
Smyrna (Izmir),
recipient of a letter
from St Paul praising
the early believers
for their
faithfullness.
Visiting to
St. Polycarp Church
and a short tour of
the city, drive to
Thyateira
(Akhisar), and
Sardis
(Salihli), the ancient
Lydian capital.
Philadelphia
(Alasehir), the
youngest of the "Seven
Churches of
Relevation", visiting
the still standing
remains of an early
church and the city
walls. Dinner and
overnight at
Hierapolis
(Pamukkale).
Day 2 Departure
after breakfast, tour
of Hierapolis. Visit
to
Laodicea
(Denizli), a crossroad
of the ancient world,
home of Philip the
Evangelist. Continue
to
Ephesus, most
important of the
"Seven Churches of
Asia Minor", where St.
John brought Mary in
fulfillment of his
pledge to Jesus to
protect her, she is
belived to have taken
into heaven. Visit to
the last abode of
Virgin Mary and St.
John Basilica. Dinner
and overnight in
Izmir.
Day 3 Departure
after breakfast for
Pergamum
(Bergama), the place
where, wrote St. John
to the church of
Pergamum, "Satan's
throne is sited".
Evening return to
Izmir and transfer to
the airport for
flight, or evening bus
to Istanbul.
)
)
)
