In the Steps of St.Paul in Greece & Turkey
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70
In the Steps of St.Paul in Greece & Turkey
Pilgrimage Overview
Join Fr. Tien-Tri Nguyen on a Pilgrimage to Greece & Turkey!
DAY 2
Arrive Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople! Upon arrival, we are welcomed by representative. After visa formalities, we head to our hotel for a welcome reception.
DAY 3
Istanbul
Today we explore the Eastern Orthodox Christian sites of Istanbul, known in Byzantine times as Constantinople. Visit the Orthodox Patriarchate in the beautiful Church of St George and check out other richly gilded places of worship including the Church of St Mary of the Mongols, and Chora Church, famous for its glittering Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. During the day, arrangements will be made for the group to celebrate Mass privately at the hotel. After, we will have time to visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. The Grand Bazaar is an amazing place – literally a maze of streets. It is one of the largest undercover bazaars in the world and is even divided into areas like the leather section, or the rug section.
DAY 4
Istanbul
This morning we head to the Sultanahmet district. This World Heritage-listed district is crammed with historic buildings and atmosphere to keep you enthralled for days. Full day visits to the Topkapi Palace; overlooking the Sea of Marmara and containing numerous chambers, courtyards, and royal treasures; the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque, with its six minarets and thousands of blue tiles; and the historic Hagia Sophia, now a museum, converted to a mosque from a Christian Basilica after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. During the day, the group will have time to celebrate Mass at a local church. Next, we see the Hippodrome and the Obelisk brought from Egypt.
DAY 5
Istanbul
Today we depart Istanbul for Kavala, Greece. Meet our new Greek guide and driver and continue on through our tour of Greece, with time arranged for the group to celebrate Mass.
DAY 6
Kavala / Thessaloniki
Today we visit Kavala, which occupies the site of ancient Neapolis and Philippi (Acts 16:12-40, Phil.), that today lies as a major archaeological site near Krinides where St. Paul and St. Silas were imprisoned after St. Paul’s first sermon in what we today call Europe. After visiting the ruins of the great Acropolis, the Market Place, Theatre and Forum, we will have time for the group to celebrate Mass before continuing to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7
Thessaloniki / Veria
This morning we visit the Rotonda, St. George Church, one of the oldest constructions in the city, the church was built at the end of the 4th century by the roman emperor. This time period will become more alive to us as our visit will include the Galerius Arch, built a little before 305 AD in commemoration of Galerius’s victory over the Persians in 297. Next is the most beautiful basilica in the city St. Demetrius where Saint Paul was imprisoned, tortured and buried. We then visit Veria, one of Paul’s stops, where a Byzantine mosaic commemorates his preaching, and we will have time to celebrate Mass. We check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8
Kalambaka/ Athens
This morning we leave Veria and continue to Kalambaka, a town near the Meteora Monastery. Later this afternoon we will visit the Grand Meteoran Monastery (Transfiguration of Christ), the most beautiful Byzantine monastery. The word Meteora means literally ‘hovering in the air’ as all the monasteries were built on top of the high rocks. Monks have been recorded living in these caves since the 11th century. The Church of the Transfiguration is the best known of the Monasteries and is built upon the highest rock, founded by Athanasios the Meteorite, a well-known figure in Orthodox monasticism. The group will have time to celebrate Mass. We continue to Athens for dinner and overnight.
DAY 9
Embark Cruise
Today we’ll leave Athens early in the morning for Piraeus and at 11:00 a.m. sail into the Aegean Sea. Our first island is one of the islands belonging to the Cyclades group of islands. This mountainous island of Mykonos has about 400 churches and is famous for its picturesque white houses and the island’s trademark, the charming windmills. Mykonos has a unique architecture of Byzantine and Western characteristics. Next, we will visit the Church of Panagia Paraportiani (Greek for Our Lady of the Side Gate) on the main square Cathedral and an old Catholic Church and many boutiques and taverns along tiny, paved streets. Return on board of the ship, where the group will have time to celebrate Mass.
DAY 10
Kusadasi Port / Patmos Port
This morning you will arrive at the Turkish port city of Kusadasi. From here you will travel to Ephesus, where the Blessed Virgin Mary lived with St. John in a small house on the hill behind the city. Here you will have Mass before traveling down to the ancient city where you can walk the marble roads rutted by wheels of countless chariots and pass the ruins of architectural masterpieces. It is here that St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and where he was arrested and cast out of the city. In the afternoon you will visit the island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the apocalyptic Book of Revelations. On our excursion we will visit the cave where he lived, now the site of a monastery housing priceless icons and manuscripts.
DAY 11
Cruise Santorini / Crete
Today is the last day of the cruise. Pilgrims, at their own leisure, can enjoy visiting Heraklion on the Island of Crete, as well as Fira, the capital of the Island of Santorini. The Cruise Ship offers excursions which you can purchase onboard if you want a more structured tour of either island. Before the day ends, the group will celebrate Mass onboard the ship.
DAY 12
Disembark Cruise
Today we disembark our cruise ship, and we will be visiting and exploring the city of Athens (Acts 17: 16-34). Acropolis with Parthenon the greatest monument of antiquity, dedicated to the goddess Athena, from here one can see Areopagus (Areios Pagos = Hill of Ares) visited by Pope John Paul II, the same hill where St. Paul gave his famous sermon of “Unknown God”. Our pilgrimage will continue with a drive to ancient Corinth. Explore this city’s archaeological treasures, including the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, and the Bema—the place where Paul stood trial (Acts 18). Celebrate Mass at Holy Apostles Church. We have free time for lunch. We then continue to the Areopagus, where Paul addressed the philosophers of Athens (Acts 17), then ascend to the Acropolis. We also visit the Parthenon, and Erechtheion before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation.
DAY 13
Return Home
Today we board our flights home, carrying with us memories and keepsakes that will last a lifetime.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Roundtrip Flights
- Excursions per itinerary
- All Meals per Itinerary
- Daily Mass
- Entry Fees as per itinerary
- 8 Nights accommodation
- 3 Night Greece Isles Cruise
- Professional Catholic Tour Guide
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- Professional English-Speaking Tour Guides
- Spiritual Director
- Pilgrims' Backpack
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Passport and Visas (Refer to the section below for Passports or Visas help)
- Gratuities
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend that all travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect themselves and their trip investment. Travel protection plans can provide coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical expenses and emergency evacuation/repatriation, trip delay, baggage delay, and more. Please go to the link below to learn more Click here for Travel Insurance Details.
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