St Paul Pilgrimage with Oberammergau Passion Play Option

Our visit today will include the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius, as well as the Rotunda where we can see pieces of the pulpit from which Paul preached. View the Roman Agora where he also preached. Nearby we shall visit St Demetrios’ Church dedicated to a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity, and was later martyred. View its valuable mosaics and frescoes before descending in to the crypt where we find the remains of some ancient Roman baths and streets.

We then ascend to the ‘ano poli’ (old town) to the Byzantine Vlatadon Monastery, built over Jason’s house (Acts 17:5) where Paul stayed during his time in Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki overnight (BD)

The Philippians: The fellowship in Philippi was the first European church founded by St Paul. Although composed primarily of those who were poor, the church caringly sent supplies to Paul being regularly concerned to give to the ministry like no other community.

Here too a woman named Lydia was deeply moved by St Paul’s preaching and was soon baptised along with her entire household.

Paul’s letter to believers living in Philippi was written between 61 and 63AD while in prison and addressed his growing concerns of the influence of false teachers among the faithful.

This morning we follow the ancient route of the Apostle Paul to the port city of Kavala (ancient Neapolis), once named “Christoupolis” after being the first European city to accept Christianity. It was here that St Paul, St Timothy and St Silas first landed from Troas (Acts 16:11), one of the great moments in the history of Christianity.

Continue on to Philippi, named after Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It was here that St Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:12-40). Visit the Baptistery of Lydia for a beautiful outdoor Mass in this breathtaking oasis on the River Zygaktis, and to renew our Baptismal vows. Visit the market place (where St Paul and St Silas were brought before the rulers) and the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where St Paul was imprisoned.  In the ancient theatre we will hear the story of Paul’s arrest, imprisonment and miraculous release.

Thessaloniki overnight (BD)

The Bereans: The Apostle Paul came to evangelise Berea at least three times during his ministry. The faithful here possessed a teachable spirit towards the Bible and receiving the word with all readiness of mind and weighing up arguments against holy scripture on a daily basis. This was the surest way to come to a strong conviction of the Gospels’ divine origin.

The promise that “they who seek shall find” was fulfilled by the Bereans and Paul’s visits resulted in the conversion of many.

Today we journey south by coach to Berea (modern Veria). The “Bema” – an impressive monument to Paul – is believed to incorporate the steps from the original synagogue from which he preached the gospel to the Jews, who welcomed the word of God and began to study the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-12).

A small church was established here and we will also view the ‘hidden churches’, a collection of about 20 Byzantine structures, camouflaged in the form of barns from the invading Ottoman Turks.

Kalambaka overnight (BD)

The Monastics: The foundation of the stunning Meteora monasteries began around the 11^th century inspired by the monks’ love of God and quest for holiness through monasticism and asceticism. The entire life of a monk consists in fully opening to the heart of God and striving for sanctification whether working, studying or in the stillness of prayer. Through the centuries the monastics became watchful custodians of the faith tradition forming schools for the Greek children under Turkish Rule, a refuge for the persecuted, providers for freedom fighters and teachers of the way of holiness.

We spend some time today marvelling at this unique phenomenon of nature – 24 perpendicular rocks where 600 years ago Byzantine monks chose to worship God and build their cave-like Monastic community of Meteora. We will visit some of these living monasteries by foot and view the extraordinary collection of priceless religious frescoes and other treasures that will make this a remarkable day.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon.

Kalambaka overnight (BD)

Theme: The Athenians

From Kalambaka we journey south to the remarkable city of Delphi where we are rewarded with the view of this ancient site unsurpassed with natural beauty. We will be taken on a guided tour including the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Museum housing important relics excavated here.

Spend time at the remarkable Byzantine Monastery of Hosios Loukas, built in the 10th century on the slopes of Mt Helikon and overlooking a picturesque valley teeming with olive trees. In 1990 UNESCO included this site on their World Heritage List. On arrival we will celebrate an outdoor Mass here in the grounds of the walled Monastery before being taken on a guided tour of the Churches, crypt and surrounds where we admire the amazing frescoes and mosaics with their characteristic gold background dating back to the 11th Century.

We continue on this afternoon to arrive Athens for dinner in the hotel.

The Athenians: In 49AD, while waiting in the city for his travelling companions, Paul’s spirit is stirred by the worship of pagan gods. His preaching is soon heard by the philosophers, many of whom believed that the purpose of life was to eat, drink and be merry. Paul uses an altar he sees dedicated to an ‘unknown god’ as a springboard to teach the Athenians about the Real God who can be known!

Athens today is the thriving capital of Greece, but, more importantly, we have entered into the world of the New Testament where St Paul and his companions established the first Christian communities throughout his four missionary journeys.  

When St Paul first came to Athens it was predominantly a city which worshipped pagan gods. St Paul was taken before the city council at the Areopagus Hill, a rough outcrop of limestone rock from which he preached the Gospel message to the Athenian philosophers (Acts 17:16-21).

Athens overnight (BD)

The Corinthians: At the time of Paul, Corinth was a great cosmopolitan Greek city thriving in commerce, a proud culture and a resulting widespread immorality. Its ‘sin city’ reputation saw it given over to rampant prostitution, jealousy and deep divisions. Even within the city confines was a Pagan temple dedicated to the goddess of Lust (Venus).

Paul responds with an effective severity that insults the opposition while offering deep insights into how the good news can speak order into the chaos. This approach eventually brings him joy in witnessing the results of true repentance and reconciliation within the Corinthian community.

Today we travel to Ancient Corinth where the apostle Paul lived for almost two years, teaching the people the Word of God and converting many. On arrival we will view the Erastus inscription dating back to the first century AD and concerning a Christian convert, Erastus (Rom 16:23) who was the ‘director of public works’ in Corinth.

We visit the ancient ruins and see the site where he preached the Gospel from the Rostrum.  See the Peirene fountain, and the 6^th century BC Temple of Apollo before an outdoor Mass in this stunning pilgrimage setting.

Finally, we come to Cenchreae, the ancient port from where St Paul said farewell to the believers and departed for Ephesus (Acts 18:18).

Athens overnight (BD)

We continue our pilgrimage with a tour of Christian Athens including the Acropolis, the Areopagus where St Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God” (Acts 17:15-34).  Visit the Ancient Agora where Paul preached about Jesus and the resurrection, the Plaka (Old Greece), and explore the Parthenon. Also see the Kallimármaro Stadium, dating back to 330BC and restored for the first modern Olympic Games held here in 1896.

Later we will come to the New Acropolis Museum with its celebrated exhibition of Greek antiquities and statues which vividly illustrate the myriad of pagan Gods Paul was battling against.

After a rest back at our hotel we will enter the lively Plaka district to dine this evening at a typical Greek Taverna with live Athenian music and atmosphere.

Athens overnight (BD)

Theme: The Mykonians

Following breakfast, we will be transferred to the port to board our 3-night St Paul cruise!

We sail this morning from Athens to the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of windmills. On arrival we have the option to disembark and explore at our own pace the charming walkways through a maze of white-washed buildings or join an optional shore excursion (at own expense) before returning to the ship for dinner and evening activities.

Overnight onboard cruise ship (BLD)

The Ephesians: This first Christian community was established by St John and developed by St Paul through his fervent preaching over a 3 ½ year stay, during which he wrote his letter to the Ephesians. Although Ephesus was the most famous of the 7 churches of Revelation, Paul had to contend with its pagan stronghold Temple dedicated to the goddess of Fertility (Diana / Artemis) – now one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world – among other enchant? in magicians and soothsayers.

Paul’s preaching throughout the city left such an impact that Ephesus soon became the third most important city of Christianity after Jerusalem and Antioch.

The Patmosians: Successfully settled by the Dorians from 500BC and later the Ionians up until the 2^nd century, the volcanic island of Patmos became a penal colony under Roman rule for political and religious troublemakers. In 95AD St John the Theologian was sent into exile here where he lived in a cave below the hilltop temple of Apollo dedicated to the pagan goddess Diana. During his time on what is now called the ‘Holy Island of Patmos’, St John wrote the book of Revelations and composed the Fourth Gospel as a very old man.

This morning we arrive into the Turkish port city of Kusadasi, doorway to Ephesus.

Shore Excursion: House of the Virgin Mary & Ancient Ephesus

Before his crucifixion, Jesus entrusted the safety of the Virgin Mary to St. John the Evangelist. St. John moved Mary to Ephesus for safety. In 1957 the Vatican recognized the “House of the Virgin Mary” as the place where the Virgin spent the last years of her life and since then it is an important pilgrimage site for both Christians and Muslims.

Next stop the city of Ancient Ephesus, the Ionian colony, which is one of the largest open-air archaeological museums in the world. Together with our tour guide, we will pass the Magnesian Gate. Traces of the Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian period are scattered everywhere: the Agora, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the marble-paved main Street of the Kouretes, the Thermal Baths of Scholastica, Trajan’s Fountain, the Public Latrines, the Houses of the Patricians, the Prytaneum, Hadrian’s Temple, and the Great Theatre.

The excursion is completed at the Covered Bazaar of Kusadasi with some free time for shopping and… bargaining!

We reboard our ship in the afternoon and continue on to the Dodecanese island of Patmos, where St John wrote the Book of Revelation. Lying between the islands of Leros and Ikaria is the ‘ascetic shaped’ Patmos, called the ‘Jerusalem of the Aegean’ due to the overwhelming atmosphere of the island during the great celebrations of Christianity. 

Shore Excursion: Patmos

The picturesque alleyways wind upwards, towards the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist, founded in 1088 by St. Christodoulos. The visit will open the doors of the Monastery’s yard, the place where the monks take their meals and the old bakery. Of exquisite beauty is the tour of the Byzantine Church of St. John, which is adorned with a wood-carved icon screen, important frescoes from several periods, with both mosaic and other icons.

Next stop, the small museum which hosts religious treasures of inestimable value, like manuscripts, medieval textiles, sacerdotal vestments and others.

Walking down the stairs, the religious encounter that we will experience will enlighten the soul. Behind the chapel of St. Anne lies the entrance to the Grotto of the Apocalypse.  You will see the cross engraved by St. John the Evangelist, according to tradition, the triple fissure in the wall of the cave, from where St. John heard God dictating to him the Apocalypse. And also the spot where he lay down to sleep.

We return to our cruise ship for dinner and overnight.

Overnight onboard cruise ship (BLD)

The Cretans: Being surrounded by the sea, the Cretans were excellent sailors and also famous for their archery. Their reputation however was less than ideal having been described by one of their own prophets as “perpetual liars, evil brutes and lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12).

St Paul visited Crete following his first imprisonment in early 63AD. He left Titus on the island to assist maturing the Church, some of whose members were the first to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11).

Shore Excursion: Minoan Palace of Knossos – 1st European Civilization

This morning we arrive in Heraklion, Crete.

The ancient city of Knossos, with constant habitation from the Neolithic era until the 5th century A.D., is beyond doubt the land that “gave birth” to the first civilization of Europe, the Minoans.

The first excavations were begun in 1878 by the Heraklian Minos Kalokairinos. A bit later (1900-1913 & 1922-1930) the excavations by the British Sir Arthur Evans were to complete the scientific research, bringing to light the Minoan palace in its entirety, which was, according to tradition, the residence of the wise King Minos.

The palace of Knossos spreads around the large Central Court. You will reach the awe inspiring Throne Room, the fresco of the “Prince of the Lilies”, the imposing Grand Staircase, the Queen’s Megaron in the east.

Walking through the apartments of the Knossos palace and observing the finds even as passers-by, you will feel part of this cultural heritage.

We will stop in Heraklion on the way back to the ship.

Heraklion was founded in 824 and is an important homeland of many contributors to Literature and Art, some examples of which are the Nobel winning poet Odysseas Elytis, the Renaissance painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) and the writer Nikos Kazantzakis.

Heraklion is also endowed with some wonderful edifices: the “Koules” fortress, the award winning Venetian structure of the Loggia, the Morosini Fountain, the Basilica of Saint Mark, and the Church of Agios Titos. Starting the walk from Liberty square of Heraklion guests will pass by the shopping streets of Dedalou and 25th August and see the aforementioned sights along the way.

In the afternoon, we cruise to the isle of Santorini, often referred to as the most breathtaking of all the Greek islands. We have the option to disembark and admire the exquisite whitewashed villages. Option to join a shore excursion (at own expense).

Overnight onboard cruise ship (BLD)

After the end of the cruise we will be transferred to Athens airport for our homebound flight connections or onward travel to the Passion Play.

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The history of the Oberammergau Passion Play begins in 1633. During the Thirty Years’ War, after much suffering and also many deaths caused by the plague, the surviving population of Oberammergau vowed that they would perform the “play of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ” every ten years if they were spared from extinction. At Whitsun in 1634 they kept their promise for the first time. As early as the middle of the 18^th Century spectators came to Oberammergau from all parts of Germany, attracted by the great power and mystique of the play. In 2022 the village will perform the play for the 42^nd time, maintaining the continuity of this unique world-famous event.

Over 2000 participants bring the story of Jesus of Nazareth to the ears and eyes of the audience in a five-hour presentation on the imposing open-air stage. Almost half of the inhabitants of Oberammergau enact with great devotion the story of Jesus, whose message gives billions of people hope and strength. The play covers the period of Jesus entering Jerusalem and continues up to his death on the Cross and his resurrection.

Today is the highlight of our pilgrimage when we attend the Passion Play.

Oberammergau Region overnight (BD)