Pilgrimage to St. Paul in Greece with 4 Days Greek Isle Cruise

Itinerary

DAY 1: Thessalonica (D)

The trip will start with your arrival in Thessalonica airport where we will meet and explore the city of Thessalonica, where Paul preached the gospel in the second and third missionary journey. For the early Christians of this city he wrote epistles “To the Thessalonians.”. We will visit the Cathedral of St. Demetrius, the Patron Saint of the city, the Agora, the Church of Saint Sofia, the White Tower, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. Then will visit the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki with many collections covering the whole history of Northern Greece. Before dinner at the hotel we will celebrate Mass at the Church of Immaculate Assumption. Check in, dinner and overnight in Thessalonica.

DAY 2: Thessalonica / Philippi / Kavala / Thessalonica (B/D)

After breakfast will visit Philippi, the town where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity (Acts 16:11-12). Paul arrived here with Silas and Luke on the winter of AD 49 to AD 50. There the first Christian baptism was performed, of a woman named Lydia. At the spring where Lydia was baptized we will celebrate Mass. Then, will visit the Roman Theatre, probable site of the prison where Paul and Silas were arrested. We will continue towards the city of Kavala, the ancient city of Neapolis (Acts 16:11) where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. It was later renamed Christoupolis, meaning city of Christ, because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. We will visit the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis. Dinner and overnight in Thessalonica.

DAY 3: Thessalonica / Veria / Kalambaka (B/D)

After breakfast will visit Veria (Berea), another town evangelized by Paul (Acts 17: 10-14). When Saint Paul visited this town in AD 50, he came across a more “noble” Jewish community where he preached. This is where Paul met Sopatros (or Sosipatros), who would later become a valuable comrade who followed him on his return journey to Asia. We will visit the ancient synagogue where we will see the Byzantine mosaic in the monument commemorating his preaching. Depart for Kalambaka for Mass at the hotel before dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: Kalambaka / Meteora / Athens (B/D)

After breakfast the trip continues with a visit the spectacular Meteora, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is a mountainous region of stunning scenery. You will see hundred-year-old Byzantine monasteries on top of huge rocks, during the Middle Ages, first built in the 14th century by monks seeking isolation and salvation. We will visit the most famous of them, which is now a popular museum, the Great Meteoron, to admire superb icons, old manuscripts, unique mosaics and frescoes. We will continue to Athens for Mass at St. Dennis Cathedral before dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: Athens City Tour / Corinth / Cenchrea / Acrocorinth (B/D)

After breakfast we will go on a city tour to explore the city of Athens, including the Agora of Athens (Acts 17:16-34). Athens is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it today. We will visit the main points of interest in the city: Τhe Acropolis, the Parthenon and Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) where Paul preached the truth to the Gentile Nation. After that, we will head toward ancient Corinth (Acts 18.1-18). It was in ancient Corinth where Paul came and worked, established a thriving church and writing two of the epistles, which are now part of the New Testament. We will see all the sites that are associated with his ministry: Τhe Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the Ρoman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s seat, the pillars, stairs, and the place of public worship, where Paul preached. At this place, you will celebrate Mass. Then we will drive up to Acrocorinth to visit the Medieval Fortress and the ruins of the Temple of Goddess Venus.   Before ending the tour and return to Athens, we will pass by the ancient Greek port of Cenchrea (Acts 18:18) where Paul was during his second missionary journey. Return to Athens, dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: Piraeus / Mykonos (B/L/D)

After breakfast you will embark the cruise ship. After spending time at sea, the first port of call would be the island of Mykonos. A cosmopolitan paradise that attracts more than its fair share of beautiful people, Mykonos Town is the archetypal image of the Cyclades, with immaculate whitewashed houses, windmills and winding alleys. Take the free shuttle bus and enjoy the atmosphere of the island before you will return on board for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7: Kusadasi (Turkey) / Patmos (B/L/D)

This beach resort town is famous for its beautiful marina and its colorful bazaar but principally because of its proximity to the Hellenistic ruins of Ephesus, the ancient city famed for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Visit the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus (included tour), one of the largest open air museums in the world. See incredible relics of the Hellenistic, Roman and early Christian eras. Discover the Agora, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus and the beautifully preserved marble- paved main Street of Kouretes. Return to the ship for lunch, time at sea and in the afternoon, you will be in the island of Patmos. Take the optional tour to visit the visit the Cave of the Apocalypse and the hilltop Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, both declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1999. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8: Rhodes (B/L/D)

A visit to the old city of Rhodes is like stepping back to the time of the Crusades as you stroll the polished cobblestones of the Street of the Knights and explore the medieval Palace of the Grand Masters. Our included tour begins with the Acropolis of Lindos, 55 km (40 miles) from the city of Rhodes, to see the graceful Temple of Athena, built in 300 B.C. Back in the old city of Rhodes, you will walk through D’Amboise Gate and along the perfectly preserved Street of the Knights to discover the medieval residence of each order of the Knights of St John, still bearing the original crests to the acropolis of Lindos, perched high on a hilltop overlooking the sparkling Bay of St Paul.

DAY 9: Heraklion (Crete) / Santorini (B/L/D)

The busy capital of Crete is a former Venetian harbor with a history dating back even further, to the time of the Minoans. Visit (included tour) Knossos, once home to Europe’s oldest civilization and the setting of the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur and delve further into the art and creativity of the Minoans at the city’s extraordinary Archaeological Museum. Return to the ship for lunch and time at sea. In the afternoon you will be in Santorini. Sprinkled like sugar over sheer, black volcanic cliffs, Santorini’s whitewashed capital, Fira, is a sight to behold. Wander the narrow streets or venture along the clifftop to pretty Oia for that iconic shot of the blue- domed church. Your ship will spend the evening in port, so take a ringside seat in a clifftop bar to watch the fiery sunset. Take the optional tour and head up the black, volcanic cliff face of Santorini and drive to Oia, perched on the very edge of the caldera. This beautiful little town has stylish shops and restaurants and arguably the best views of Santorini, not least the island’s famous whitewashed churches with their sky-blue domes, the Aegean glittering far below. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10: Piraeus Port / Athens Airport (B)

After breakfast and According to the schedule of your return flight you will be taken to the airport of Athens leaving with great memories from your Steps of Paul trip.

The time schedule of the cruise as well as the ports of call are as follows:

The Masses schedule during the cruise is as follows:

Day 1Β Β Β Β  On Board in a private meeting area (Upon request)

Day 2 Β Β Β  At the House of Virgin Mary during the tour (Upon Request)

Day 3 Β Β Β  On Board in a private meeting area (Upon request)

Day 4 Β Β Β  On Board in a private meeting area (Upon request)