BULGARIA – GREECE

BIBLE TOUR- FOOTSTEPS OF APOSTLE PAUL

! The daily program is flexible and can be changed after discussions with coaches!

28th May – 7th June
     
   

28th May 2005 - Departure

19.45 – Departing from New York JFK
       
    29th May – Sofia
       
    13.55 - Arriving in Sofia
15.30/16.00 - Accommodation in the National Sport Complex “Diana”
      17.00 – Training/Sightseeing
    Sofia, the Bulgarian capital city was born 7,000 years ago in the green embrace of the Vitosha Mountain. Today, Sofia is a cosmopolitan city with population over 1000 000 people. Like any other European capital it is the hub of the country's political, business and cultural life, the center of various international events , a place for entertainment. You can visit the Alexander Nevski cathedral , the National gallery, plenty of museums as well as movies, restaurants, shopping centers.
       
    20.30 – Dinner
       
     

30th May – Sofia, Kavala

08.30 – Breakfast

10.00 – Competition

13.00 – Lunch
14.00 – Departing to Kavala / Greece?
19.30 - Arriving in Kavala and accommodation in a3 stars hotel “Esperia”
20.30 – Dinner
       
     

31st May – Kavala , Philippi

08.30 – Breakfast
09.30 – Departing to Philippi
10.00- 12.00 – Sightseeing in Philippi

       
    The history of the site of Philippi begins in 360/359 B.C. when the colonists from Thasos founded the first city, called Krenides. In 356 B.C. the city is endangered by the Thacians and it turns to king Philip II for support. Philip had already forseen the economic and strategic importance of the city, so he conquered it, he fortified it and he renamed it after himself (Philippi). Philippi is he most important archaeological site of eastern Macedonia, with characteristic monuments of the Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian periods. The well-maintained ancient theatre, a section of Via Egnatia, the Acropolis, the Octagon and the dungeon where Paul the Apostle had been held prisoner, are the actual evidence ?f Philippi's great prosperity.
       
    The walls and the acropolis. The line of the walls begins at the top of the hill and it surrounds the foot of the hill and part of the valley below. The structure has two architectural phases: the first was built by Philip II and the second by Justinian I in A.D. 527-565. Inside the acropolis there is a tower dated to the Late Byzantine period.
       
    The theatre. It was probably built by king Philip II around the middle of the 4th century B.C. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. large-scale rearrangements and additions were made so that the thatre's function could face the needs of the performances of the time.
       
    The prison of Apostole Paul. Tradition has it that in this place Apostole Paul was imprisoned. The structure is actually a Roman water cistern which was later converted into a cult place.
       
      Bible story – Apostle Paul - mission in Philippi
A landmark in the history of Philippi was the year A.D 49 or 50, when Apostole Paul visited the city and established there the first Christian Church of Europe. This made Philippi a metropolis of Christianity. During the Byzantine period (A.D. 963-969) the walls of the city were reconstructed and at the same time the towers and the wall of the acropolis were built.Apostle Paul is slandered, arrested and imprisoned by the Roman garrison, and according to tradition, his prison was an old inactive cistern, preserved until today. Later, one of the 14 epistles written by Apostle Paul was addressed to the Christians of Filippi.
       
      13.00 – Lunch in Phillipi
14.00 – Sightseeing in Kavala
       
    Kavala or Neapolis, or new city, is the ancient Greek name, which is now known as Kavala. It has been inhabited since Neolithic times. In the 7th century BC it was a Thassian colony under the name of Neapolis, built on a hilly peninsula known as Panagia. Originally the whole town was on this little peninsular .The city is near the Pangaion mountain known for gold bearing. The small town was important strategically and commercially because it is both a port city and is on the road that passes through connecting Thrace to Macedonia. Now a modern commercial center, Kavala has many examples of traditional old houses, a Byzantine castle built by Suleiman the magnificent in the 16th century during the Turkish occupation. Mention must also be made that Philippi, the ancient Macedonian city can also be found here with its ruins of 2 Christian Basilicas, a Roman forum and a trace of the Via Egnatia.
       
     
      18.00 – Training
       
 

 

20.30 – Dinner

1st June – Kavala

08.30 – Breakfast
09.30 – Following the steps of Apostle Paul

Bible story – Apostle Paul - mission in Kavala
Kavala is the city, which Paul visited after Samothrace. The Apostle comes to Neapoli to preach the Christian faith in Europe. In Byzantine times, the town is renamed 'Christoupolis'. The important monument of the old aqueduct, nowadays known as Kamares, dates from that period. Kavala's course in history is alive at every step you take. In the Archeological Museum of Kavala, there are unigue exhibits, such as remains of Athena Parthenon's Temple and other exhibits from the whole region, namely Oisymi, Galypsos, Dikili Tass, Nikisiani and Avdira.

13.00 – Lunch
14.00 – Sightseeing
18.00 – Training/competition
21.00 – Dinner

       
      2nd June – Thessaloniki
       
      07.30 - Breakfast
08.00 – Departing to Thessaloniki
11.00 – Accommodation in ”Telioni” hotel in Thessaloniki
12.30 – Lunch
13.00 – Sightseeing
       
    Thessaloniki was founded about 315 B.C., on a site of old prehistoric settlements going back to 2300 B.C., by Cassander, King of Macedonia, and was named after his wife, Thessaloniki, sister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki has become the chief city of Macedonia and its most important commercial port. In Roman times it was visited by Saint Paul, who preached the new religion, and who later addressed his two well-known epistles (the oldest written documents of Christian literature) to the Christians of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece with a population of 1,000,000 inhabitants, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It stretches over twelve km in a bowl formed by low hills facing a bay that opens into the Gulf Thermaikos. Thessaloniki is one of the most important trade and communications centers as well as a major cosmopolitan crossroad whose cultural influence is far-reaching. The city’s landmark is the White Tower, which also houses a Byzantine museum. Worth visiting is the Archaeological museum that exhibits findings of the archaic,classical and Roman periods as well as the church of Saint Dimitrios, the holy patron of the city.
       
    The White Tower once stood with many others, surrounding the medieval city, until the Ottoman Turks destroyed all but two in 1866. Constructed in the 15th century this tower served as a defensive bulwark, an infamous prison, a place of execution, and now is home to a wonderful collection of sculptures, frescoes, and other interesting artefacts from 300 to 1400 AD portraying the amazing history and culture of the city. The White Tower, once known as the Bloody Tower, has become the city’s most famous landmark.
       
    Biblical Significance Paul (with Silas and Timothy) came to Thessalonica from Philippi on his second missionary journey, stopping in Amphipolis and Apollonia before arriving here (Acts 17). He preached in the city’s synagogue, the chief synagogue of the region, for at least three weeks. His ministry was strong, and he established a Jewish-Gentile church, although it was more heavily Gentile (1 Thes. 1:9). When Paul faced great persecution at the hands of the mob, he fled to Berea, but Thessalonians eventually forced him to leave there also
(Acts 17:13 - 14).
       
    Church of St. Demetrios St. Demetrios was a native of Thessalonica whom Galarius put to death. This basilical church was first built in the 5th century A.D. and remembers St. Demetrios as the city’s patron saint. The largest church in Greece, this basilica was destroyed by fire in 1917 and has since been reconstructed (pictured above and right). Today the modern city of Thessaloniki is the second most important city of Greece and home to a million inhabitants.
       
     

Bible story – Apostle Paul - mission in Thessalonica Paul went into the synagogue, as was his custom, and began reasoning with the Jews from the scriptures. He tried to explain to them how important it was that Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. Some Jews, many God-fearing Greeks, and not a few prominent women came to believe. Many of the Jews did not believe and formed a mob, which rushed to Jason's house, where Paul and Silas were staying. When they could not be found there, Jason and some of the brothers were brought before the city officials. They accused them of housing troublemakers and of defying Caesar's decrees, since they were claiming that Jesus was their king and not Caesar. Jason and the others were made to post bond and were set free

18.00 - Training

       
     

20.30 – Dinner

3rd June – Thessaloniki

08.30 – Breakfast
10.00 – Sightseeing and shopping
13.00 – Lunch
17.00 – Competition
21.00 - Dinner

       
      4th June – Athens
       
      07.30 – Breakfast
08.00 – Departing to Athens
13.00 – Lunch
15.00 – Arriving in Athens and accommodation in hotel “La Mirage”
16.00 – Sightseeing
       
 

  Athens city (1991 pop. 2,907,179; 1991 urban agglomeration pop. 3,072,922), capital of Greece, E central Greece, on the plain of Attica, between the Kifis?s and Ilissus rivers, near the Saronic Gulf. The capital of Attica prefecture, Athens is Greece's largest city and its administrative, economic, and cultural center. Greater Athens, which includes the port of Piraievs and numerous suburbs, accounts for most of Greece's industrial output. Manufactures include silk, wool, and cotton textiles, machine tools, steel, ships, food products, beverages, chemicals, pottery, printed materials, and carpets. Greater Athens is a transportation hub, served by rail lines, major roads, airlines, and ocean going vessels. There is a large tourist industry.
Bible story – Apostle Paul - mission in Athens In Athens, Paul was immediately distressed over how many idols were in the city. He immediately began speaking in the synagogues and reasoning with the Jews and God-fearing Greeks. Many began to think that Paul was advocating foreign gods. Paul was brought to the Areopagus (meeting place) and questioned about what exactly he was teaching. Paul began to speak to them by talking about one of their objects of worship which was dedicated "to an unknown god." Paul began to tell them about a God that does not live in temples and doesn't need to be served by man, this God is the creator of life. He told them of God's planning of the human race and of man's need to seek him. He told them of God's intangibility and of their need to repent of making graven images, for they would be judged by God's appointed one. When Paul began telling them of the resurrection of the dead, many sneared and didn't believe, but others invited him back to speak again. A few men became believers, among them being Dionysius and a woman named Damaris
       
      18.00 – Training
20.30 – Dinner
       
      5th June – Athens/Corinth
       
      08.00 – Breakfast
09.00 – Departing to Corinth
10.30 – Sightseeing
       
    Corinth or Korinthos city (1991 pop. 27,412), capital of Corinth prefecture, S Greece, in the NE Peloponnesus, on the Gulf of Corinth. It is a port and major transportation center trading in olives, tobacco, raisins, and wine. Founded in 1858 after the destruction of Old Corinth by an earthquake, it was rebuilt after another earthquake in 1928. It formerly was known as New Corinth. Old Corinth, just southwest of modern Corinth, is now a village. Strategically situated on the Isthmus of Corinth and protected by the fortifications on the Acrocorinthus, Corinth was one of the largest, wealthiest, most powerful, and oldest cities of ancient Greece. Dating from Homeric times, it was conquered by the Dorians. In the 7th and 6th cent. B.C., under the tyrants Cypselus, his son Periander, and their successors, it became a flourishing maritime power. Syracuse, Kerkira, Potidaea, and Apollonia were among its colonies. The natural rival of Athens, Corinth was traditionally allied with Sparta. Athenian assistance to the rebellious Corinthian colonies was a direct cause of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 B.C.). During the Corinthian War (395–387 B.C.), however, Corinth joined with Athens against the tyrannical rule of Sparta. After the battle of Chaeronea (338 B.C.) Corinth was garrisoned by Macedonian troops. It became (224 B.C.) a leading member of the Achaean League and in 146 B.C. was destroyed by the victorious Romans. Julius Caesar restored it (46 B.C.) and also reestablished the Isthmian games. Corinth was again laid waste by the invading Goths (A.D. 395) and by an earthquake in 521. Early in the 13th cent., Corinth was conquered by Geoffroi I de Villehardouin following the Fourth Crusade. It was taken by the Ottoman Turks in 1458, and in 1687 was seized by Venice, which lost it to the Turks in 1715. In 1822 it was captured by Greek insurgents. Ancient ruins at Old Corinth include the marketplace, fountains, the temple of Apollo, and a Roman amphitheater. Paul preached here and wrote two epistles to the infant Corinthian church.
Bible story – Apostle Paul - mission in Corinth In Corinth, Paul met a Jew named Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. Paul went to see them and ended up staying with them and working for them as a tentmaker. On every Sabbath he went to the synagogue and reasoned with those there, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. At this time Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia to join him in the ministry. Paul devoted himself to convincing the Jews that Jesus was indeed the Christ, but they opposed him and became abusive to him. He shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Paul then left the synagogue and began preaching next door at the home of Titius Justus, who was a worshiper of God. Many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized. One night, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, and comforted him, telling him not to be afraid and to keep preaching the gospel. The Lord reassured Paul that no harm would come to him, so he stayed for a year and a half teaching the word of God. While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him to court, charging him with teaching people to worship God in ways other than what the Law commanded. Before Paul could speak, Gallio ejected them all from the court, not wanting to get involved with the religious problems of the Jews. In response, they turned on Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court, with no response from Gallio.
       
      13.00 – Lunch
15.00 – Departing to Athens
18.00 –Competition
21.00 - Dinner
       
      6th June – Athens
       
      08.00 – Breakfast
10.00 – Sightseeing and Shopping
       
    The Acropolis hill, so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city. During Perikles' Golden Age, ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground. The first habitation remains on the Acropolis date from the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, the rocky hill was continuously used either as a cult place or as a residential area or both. The inscriptions on the numerous and precious offerings to the sanctuary of Athena (marble korai, bronze and clay statuettes and vases) indicate that the cult of the city's patron goddess was established as early as the Archaic period (650-480 B.C.).
       
 

  The Parthenon. It is the most important and characteristic monument of the ancient Greek civilization and still remains its international symbol. It was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the patron goddess of Athens. It was built between 447 and 438 B.C. and its sculptural decoration was completed in 432 B.C. The construction of the monument was initiated by Perikles, the supervisor of the whole work was Pheidias, the famous Athenian sculptor, while Iktinos and Kallikrates were the architects of the building. The temple is built in the Doric order and almost exclusively of Pentelic marble. It is peripheral, with eight columns on each of the narrow sides and seventeen columns on each of the long ones. The central part of the temple, called the cella, sheltered the famous chryselephantine cult statue of Athena, made by Pheidias.
       
      12.00 – Lunch
13.00 – Free time 21.00 – Dinner
       
      7th June– Departure