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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. |
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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. |
