Pilgrimage to St. Paul in Greece

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: Athens Airport (B)

According to the schedule of your return flight you will be taken to the airport of Athens leaving with great memories of your pilgrimage to Saint Paul.