THE
SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR
"PARTHIANS
AND MEDES, AND ELAMITES, AND THE DWELLERS
IN MESOPOTAMIA, AND IN JUDEA, AND CAPPADOCIA,
IN PONTUS, AND ASIA, PHRYGIA, PAMPHYLIA"
ACTS 2 9 - 10
Few people realize that Turkey
is the site of many biblical event happened
and it contained many of the earliest
Christian communities. Many of these places,
can still be visited. The Seven Churches
of Asia Minor and St. John's divinely
revealed audience for his revelation are
all in Turkey.
"What thou seest, write in a book,
and send it unto the seven churches which
are in Asia: unto Ephesus and unto Pergamos,
and unto Thyateria, and unto Sardis, and
unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea".
REVELATION 1 11
(DRT - 001)
08
DAYS
ISTANBUL, PERGAMUM, SARDIS, APHRODISIAS,
LAODICEA, THYATERIA, EPHESUS, İZMİR
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DAY 1 - ISTANBUL
Arrival at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, meeting
and escort to the hotel. Briefing and welcome
cocktail (D).
DAY 2 - ISTANBUL
Full - day sightseeing in this magnificent
city. Highlights will include the St. Sophia
which is one of the greatest marvels of
architecture constructed by the Emperor
Justinian in 537 A. D., the Topkapı Palace,
the Süleymaniye Mosque built by the architect
Sinan during the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent
and the St. Chora which offers impressive
mosaics and frescoes (B, L, D).
DAY 3 - İZMİR
We will take early flight to Izmir and from
the airport, drive to north to visit Pergamum
which was one of the most brilliant cultural
centers of the Hellenistic era (283 - 133
B. C). During this period, Pergamum held
an important position among the cultural
centers of the ancient world. The city possessed
a library containing 200,000 volumes. The
principal and most beautiful buildings to
be found on the acropolis were erected by
King Eumeres II (197 - 159 B. C.) and he
raised the Kingdom of Pergamum to its rank
of one of the strongest states of Hellenistic
times, by means of the close ties he established
with Rome. The highlights include the Altar
of Zeus, the Theater, and the Asclepion,
the famous health center of the ancient
world which featured mud - baths and music
therapy. On our way back to Izmir, we will
stop by Thyateria which was one of the towns
where Christianity spread quickly. Dinner
and overnight at İzmir
(B, L, D).
DAY 4 - İZMİR
We leave early in the morning and first
visit the Sardis which was the capital of
the ancient Kingdom of Lydia. The Lydians
won undying fame in the economic and commercial
fields, through their invention of minted
coinage at the end of the 7rt century. In
Byzantine times, Sardis became the center
of a diocese. The highlights are the synagogue,
built in the 3rd century, the gymnasium
is a huge construction, located next to
the synagogue, the Temple of Artemis, the
Altar of Artemis, House of Bronzes and the
church. Philadelphia which was an important
Christian center during the Byzantine times
is the next on our itinerary. We will see
a basilica and some mosques. Back to Izmir
for dinner and overnight
(B, L, D). DAY
5 - PAMUKKALE
Our first stop wilI be Aphrodisias, which
has one of the most attractive ruins in
Turkey. The ancient geographical context,
Aphrodisias lay in the north -eastern
confines of Caria, in the vicinity of
the Maender Valley. The impressive remains
of this once - splendid city are situated
on a high plateau, ca. 600 m. above the
sea - level. It was during the latter
part of the 1st century A. D., Aphrodisias
reached its heights of fame and prosperity,
flourishing not only as a significant
religious site, but also as an important
center for the arts, literature and other
intellectual endeavors. Despite the advent
of Christianity and the establishment
of a bishop in the city, paganism lingered
for a while at Aphrodisias, most probably
because of the great popularity of the
cult of Aphrodite. Highlights are the
Temple of Aphrodite, the Acropolis, the
Odeon, the Portico of Tiberius, Baths
of Hadrian, the residence for the bishop
of Aphrodisias, the basilica, originally
of Roman date but converted into a church
and the other building at the south -
west base of the hill, is a trefoil structure,
probably dedicated to a martyr (a martyrion)
surrounded by o large Byzantine cemetery.
Our next stop will be the Laodiceia ad
Lycum was founded by a king of the Seleucid
family. The ruins are situated on the
south bank of the river Lykos. Laodiceia
enjoyed a brilliant period in Early Christian
times, where an important Ecumenical council
was held in the 4th century A. D. (Laodicee
du Lycos p. II). In addition, it was named
in Revelations as one of the Seven Churches
of the Apocalypse. Highlights will be
the Nymphaeum, the Amphitheater and the
Council Chamber. Dinner and overnight
at Pamukkale (B, L, D).
DAY 6 - İZMİR
We will visit the Ephesus this morning
where another one of the seven churches
is located. Like the other Ionian settlements,
the city must have been colonized by the
10th century B. C. at the latest. The
city of Ephesus was referred to as the
Metropolis of Asia, i.e., of Ionia. Ephesus
entered into a third golden age which
continued until the Justinian era (A.
D. 527-565). With the rapid expansion
of Christianity in the area, many important
and beautiful buildings came into being.
The castle at Ayasoluk and the church
of St. John within it, were erected during
this period. Highlights will be the Basilica
of St. John the Evangelist, who came here
with the Virgin Mary, the Library of Celsus,
Theater and the House of Virgin Mary close
- by where you can collect some Holy Water
from the Sacred Spring. She is believed
to have spent her last years and died
here. Dinner and overnight at Kuşadası
(B, L, D).
DAY
7 - ISTANBUL
We leave Kuşadası in the morning and will
have a city tour of Izmir and glimpse
at one of the Churches of Revelation.
We drive to airport for our flight back
to Istanbul. Dinner and overnight (B,
L, D)
DAY 8 - ISTANBUL
Transfer (B).
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