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09 St Paul in Greek Study Tour

10-day tour

Day 1 Depart Hong Kong International Airport for Athens.

Day 2 Arrival in Athens and transfer by coach to Thessaloniki.Visit ancient Thessaloniki. See the Arch of Galerius on the Via Egnatia, the ancient Acropolis and city walls, the White Tower. We will study the 1st & 2nd Letters to the Thessalonians there.

Day 3 Visit Neapolis, Philippi and Amphipolis. In Philippi St. Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. Here St. Paul baptized a "certain woman named Lydia" the first Christian convert in Europe. Visit the Church of Lydia and the river beside it. In the archaeological site, see the Roman forum, completely excavated, from after St. Paul's time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town's main road is the prison where St. Paul and Silas were thrown. We will study the Letter to the Philippians. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis (Acts 16:11), where St. Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. On the return to Thessaloniki, stop to see the Lion of Amphipolis (Acts 17:1) which Paul would have also seen. Dinner and overnight in Thessalonica.

Day 4 Drive to Ouranopolis and boatride to see Mt. Athos from the sea. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 5 Transfer to Meteora. Visit the churches of Meteora. Among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks, which seem to be suspended  in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. These are the legacy of Paul’s evangelization. Overnight at Kalambaka.

Day 6 Transfer to Delphi, the center of the Ancient world - the "omphalos" (navel) of the earth - whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. Here laid the famous Oracle of Delphi, who was consulted by almost everyone. Did Paul have to fight this idolatry? On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the archaeological site and museum. Continue to Athens and overnight. On the way, visit the famous monastery of Ossios Lucas.

Day 7 Athens (Acts 17:16-34). We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. We shall also ascend Mars Hill, view the Agora (ancient market place where St. Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians). We will also see the House of Parliament, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Palace, Hadrian's Arch and the Panathenaic Stadium.

Day 8 Visit Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) and Cenchrae (Acts 18:18). Here under the shadow of the towering Acropolis. St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile Church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where St. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of first century shops, the agora where St. Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema. Then drive to ancient Cenchrae where the ruins are lay half buried in the sea. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 A pleasant scenic drive through the illuminated boulevards of Athens, as far as Piraeus, Greece’s principal commercial port. Continue to Marina Zea, one of the busiest yacht harbors in the Mediterranean and home port to many luxury pleasure yachts belonging to Greece’s ship owning and international jet-set communities. From here, a short drive to Mikrolimano, another picturesque yacht and fishing boat harbor, home to the ex Royal Yacht Club and many fine waterfront seafood restaurants. We finally return to Athens and the renowned “Plaka” for lunch. Flight out to Hong Kong

Day 10 Arrive Hong Kong.

Itinerary is subject to changes.