Day 1: Philippi, Greece

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2: 3-4

Your first stop in Europe is in Philippi. Here, Paul and his companions once preached to a friendly but small group of Jews. You will get to see the very riverbank where Paul met with them. Then, your tour guide will bring you to the house where Paul stayed in his time at Philippi. This house used to belong to a devout Jew called Lydia who, along with her household, converted to Christianity after hearing Paul preach so passionately.

You will also have the opportunity to spend a night in the prison where Paul and Silas were imprisoned for exorcizing a demon from a slave girl. The girl could no longer tell fortunes without the demon and thus her master’s source of income was lost. Miraculously though, an earthquake shook the prison and blew open all the doors one night so that the disciples could escape. The jailer was so scared he would have to take responsibility for the escape of the prisoners that he wanted to commit suicide, but Paul and Silas stopped him, letting him know no one would leave. This act of kindness converted the guard; he and his family were baptized that night. Paul and Silas were then released the next day when the authorities found out he was a Roman citizen.

Day 2: Thessalonica, Greece

“But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.” – Thessalonians 5:4-5

Enjoy your time at this coastal city in Greece. When Paul first arrived, he received a warm welcome from the Gentiles, contrasting the Jews who had rejected that Jesus was the Messiah. Jewish leaders had also charged him with treason because they believed he was trying to replace loyalty to the emperor with faith in Jesus.

Like Paul and Silas, you will also leave the town at night to board a ship going to Athens but they had left because they feared the possible harsh punishments form the Jewish leaders.

Other places included in the tour:

· Aristotelous Square

Day 3: Athens, Greece

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everyone else.” – Acts 17:24-25

Our third destination will be in the capital of Greece, the birthplace of democracy.

There will be much to see and do at the ancient temples and majestic structures Greece’s most famous city is known for. A few places you will experience include

The citizens were unconvinced of Paul’s preaching. Although they enjoyed debating and hearing about new ideas, the phenomenal Resurrection of Jesus was considered a peculiar joke rather than the truth. Most rejected the Way with few exceptions, so Paul was unsuccessful in starting a Christian community here.

Other places included in the tour:

· The Theatre of Dionysos

· The National Archeological Museum

Day 4: Corinth, Greece

”Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4

Corinth was once a prosperous town that resembled our modern-day Las Vegas. Paul wanted to help this community filled with prostitution, drinking, gambling and brawling. Again, his outreach to the Jewish community failed. However, after 18 months of preaching to the Gentiles, especially the poor, he had formed a large Christian community.

Paul started tent making in a shop owned by a couple, Priscilla and Aquila, who became missionaries with him. Their home eventually became one of the first house churches. Christians would meet here to listen to Paul’s preaching and to hold Eucharistic worship.

Years after he left, when Paul heard the city was dividing, he wrote the First Letter to the Corinthians, talking about love and charity; unfortunately this attempt did not help the situation. Even when Paul made a personal visit, his help was rejected. After some time, Corinth settled down again and Paul wrote his Second Letter to the Corinthians to express his joy over the community’s transformed spirit.

Other places included in the tour:

· Acoronith

· The Sacred Spring

Day 5: Ephesus, Turkey

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” – Ephesians 2:14-16

Our fifth destination was an important port city in Asia Minor where western and eastern traders met. You will have the opportunity to get a taste of Ephesus’ many impressive ancient structures such as a large temple to Diana (Roman goddess of fertility) and an outdoor theatre that could seat 24 000 people.

Ephesus was Paul’s first stop of his third journey and stayed for about two years. Once again, Paul, who was in his fifties at the time, was rejected when he tried preaching at the Jewish synagogue; so he began teaching Gentiles at the lecture hall, which you will see as well. The many travelers visiting this city worked to Paul’s advantage, as they helped spread word of his teachings and miracles throughout the Roman province of Asia.

Although his spreading of the Word was quite successful, Paul made many enemies in Ephesus too. Ephesian magicians who claimed to be healers were jealous of Paul’s genuine miraculous abilities. Local silversmiths were also angry because the demand for their silver statues of the Greek god Diana plummeted when people converted to Christianity. Finally, the silversmiths and magicians’ protest became too overwhelming and Paul was forced to leave this Christian community and head west by boat, just as you will!

Other places included in the tour:

· The Church of St. John

· The Church of the Virgin Mary

· The Celsus Library

Day 6: Jerusalem, Israel

“I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me.” – Acts 20:22-23

At the end of his third missionary journey, Paul delivered donations from Christians in Greece and Asia Minor to the people of the holy city who were suffering from famine. Even though he also had the intention to, he did not have the chance to discuss the recurring issue about whether Gentile Christians had to follow Jewish Law – which you will learn more about from your tour guide. Paul received a warm welcome and the donations were accepted appreciatively.

You will get to visit another temple, this time the one where Asian Jews protested against Paul and had him dragged outside its gates by a mob. These Jews saw Paul as an enemy cooperating with the Romans since he did not require Christian converts to follow the Jewish Law. Fortunately, he was saved from death by Roman soldiers because, as a Roman citizen, he was protected under Roman Law. He was then escorted under heavy guard to Caesarea, as you will be on your boat ride.

Other places included in the tour:

· The Wailing Wall

· The Israel Museum

Day 7: Caesarea, Israel

“However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.” – Acts 24:14-15

You will be staying at the governor’s palace under house arrest, as Paul had also stayed there for the two years he was in Caesarea, the Roman capital of Palestine. It will be a day of relaxation for you with all meals and a luxurious spa experience included!