The Three Apostles Pilgrimage 12-day tour. Religious Tour of Greece and Asia Minor

Day 1. Athens.

Arrive Athens, Greece. Meeting and transfer to your Athens Hotel, Herodion,located just beneath the Akropolis. Afternoon at leisure. Optional visit to the brand-new Akropolis Museum –situated just 3 min. walking distance from your hotel. Welcome dinner in the old Athens, Plaka area. Overnight Athens.

Day 2. Athens.

We plan to begin the day with an extended visit the Agora (market) where Apostle Paul preached to the Athenians, the Pnyx Hill, and then to the Acropolis where we shall have a guided tour of the Parthenon and the other monuments. The Acropolis represents the apotheosis of artistic development in the 5th century BC, the Golden Age of Pericles. Overnight Athens.

Day 3. Corinth-Patras.

Today, we shall make a full day excursion to the ancient site of Corinth where Paul spent eighteen months.

Preaching to the Corinthians, and to whom he later wrote the first and second epistles.

In the evening drive to Patras in Achaia, where St. Andrew – the brother of St. Peter- was crucified. Overnight in Patras.

Day 4. Patras – Samos.

Visit the Cathedral of St. Andrew The Cathedral is the largest church in Greece and the third largest Byzantine-style in the Balkans It is Greek Orthodox basilica in the east side of the city of Patras in Greece. Along with the old church of St. Andrew (which lies in a close distance) it constitutes a place of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world and It is dedicated to the First-called Apostle of Christ, Saint Andrew.

Andrew is said to have been martyred by crucifixion at the city of Patras (Patræ) in Achaea, on the northern coast of the Peloponnese. Early texts, such as the Acts of Andrew describe Andrew as bound, not nailed, to a Latin cross of the kind on which Jesus is said to have been crucified; yet a tradition developed that Andrew had been crucified on a X-formed cross

now commonly known as a “Saint Andrew’s Cross” — supposedly at his own request, as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus had been.

At noon return to Athens Airport, for the flight to the island of SAMOS. Arrive in Samos. Optional sightseeing tour of Pythagoras island. Overnight in Samos.

Day 5. Samos-Patmos.

In the morning we take a local excursion boat to Patmos- the Holy island- where St. John wrote the Apocalypse. Visit the site, Monastery. Overnight in Patmos.

Day 6. Patmos – Kusadasi.

Morning at leisure to explore Patmos.

At 14:30 back to Samos by high speed ferry and then on to Kusadasi at 17:30. Arrive Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7. Smyrna – Pergamum.

Start visiting ancient Smyrna- poor and persecuted,the church of Smyrna suffered amidst prosperity for its refusal to worship the Roman Emperor.It proved to be the last stronghold Christianity in Asia Minor. Continue to Pergamum, a most memorable experience with its acropolis and Great Theatre, the steepest of the ancient world.Nearby,visit the Red Basilica,once a pagean temple,it later converted into a Christian church. Finally walk through the Asclepion ,the famous medical centre of antiquity. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 8. Thyatira – Sardis & Philadelphia.

In the morning depart for the visit of Thyatira; was once a busy tradimng center and famous in ying of purple clohes. Thyatira is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Revelations tolerated the false prophetess Jezebel. Contunue to Sardis, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Visit the Temple of Artemis, by the white marble Royal Road, the Gymnsium and the Synagogue.

Visit the site of Philadelphia.Today not much is left to mark the spot. Visit the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine basilica. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 9. Hierapolis – Laodicea.

After breakfast depart for the visit of Hierapolis- an ancient city of pagan cults. Hierapolis or “holy city” was evangelized by Paul. The Apostle Philip lived and said to be buried her. Today there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets and a chance to witness the newest excavations in Laodicea. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 10. Ephesus.

Full day tour of Ephesus. Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation.In ancient days it was a bustling port town of 250,000, grazed with wide colonnade bordered streets. St Paul’s first visit was brief. His second visit lasted about three years. Visit the Great Theatre (stadium), see the Fountain of Trajan, the Library of Celsus, visit the Chapel of Vigin Mary, the Basilica of St. John. Overnigh in Kusadasi.

Day 11. Ephesus- Samos- Athens.

In the morning transfer to the port and embark the boat for Samos. Arrive in Samos after 1 hrs 30 min. Sightseeing of Samos and then transfer to the airport for the flight back to Athens. Arrive in Athens in the after noon, transfer your hotel. Fare well dinner in Plaka. Overnight in Athens.

Day 12. Athens. After breakfast, transfer to Athens International Airport for your flight back home. End of the historical and  religious tour “Pilgrimage Tour of Greece and Asia Minor”.