Pastor John Mark & Jeana Caton, 10.29.2024

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GREECE BROCHURE – Pastor John Mark & Jeana Caton

TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY – DAYS 1 & 2: U.S. / ATHENS – We depart the U.S. today for our flight to Athens. Upon arrival in Athens, we will be met by DCT’s local representative for an orientation tour.  After lunch, we are escorted to our hotel in Athens. (D)

THURSDAY – DAY 3: ATHENS / CORINTH – In 51 AD, Apostle Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by boat. His boat anchored at Faliron that used to be the main port serving Athens. Apostle Paul traveled from port to Athens. While waiting for Silas & Timothy to come from Macedonia, he spent most of his time talking with citizens at the Synagogues and the Agora. The Athenians took an interest in his teachings and invited him to present it more analytical at the Aeropagus, the hill west of Acropolis. Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and gave his famous Aeropagus Sermon, emphasizing the need to know God rather than worship the unknown as described in Acts 17:16-34. We follow our guide on a journey to the ancient Acropolis where we will see the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erectheum. View Mars Hill where Paul preached the gospel to the intellectual Athenian community of his day (Acts 17: 15-34). View the ruins of the Agora, ancient market place and center of Athenian public life, where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. We will view the Olympic Stadium, where the modern Olympics began and where the games returned in 2004. Continue to Corinth (Acts 18: 1-18), a city that inspired St. Paul’s most familiar letter. We will visit the Archeological Museum, the Market Place, and Temples. Walk among the ruins and stand on the Bema where Paul stood. Read Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and visualize his address to the Gentiles as he began the task of building Corinth’s church. Imagine where Aquila and Priscilla lived and where they had their tent making business. Acts 18:9-11 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Return to Athens for Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

FRIDAY – DAY 4: BOARD CRUISESHIP / SAIL TO MYKONOS – We sail this morning from the port of Athens, Piraeus starting your 3 Day Cruise. The first port of call is the quaint isle of Mykonos, called the island of the Windmills. Experience the waterfront lined with shops and cafes and then stroll the charming walkways through a maze of whitewashed buildings before returning to the ship for dinner.(All meals while on board)

SATURDAY – DAY 5: ANCIENT EPHESUS / PATMOS – This morning we dock in Kusadasi, Turkey, and start our excursion to ancient Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the most beautiful cities of the ancient world and its former glory can still be appreciated today from its well- preserved streets, temples, fountains, public baths, terraced houses, and theatres. Paul went to Ephesus on his third Missionary journey, staying and preaching for a period of about two to three years, and where several certain incidents took place (Acts 19:120, 20:20). It was to this community that Paul may have written his epistle to the Ephesians. We will visit the ancient Agora and go back in time where Demetrius, the silversmith, sold his silver shrines to the Ancient Greek goddess, Artemis. See the Library of Celsius and view the Great Theatre mentioned in the Book of Acts. After the morning visit we return to the ship. In the afternoon we reach the island of Patmos, Greece. During our tour, we will have the opportunity to visit the Grotto of the Apocalypse. John was on exile on the island of Patmos where in the Grotto he wrote the Book of Revelation. Rev 1:11 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Our tour will continue with a visit to St. John’s Monastery before we go back to our cruise ship. (All meals while on board)

SUNDAY – DAY 6: SANTORINI – This morning we use tender boats to visit the island of Santorini, Greece. Santorini, which is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Phira (the capital) where white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliffs, is accessible by footpath, cable-car or mule.(All meals while on board)

MONDAY – DAY 7: DISEMBARK CRUISE / DELPHI / METEORA – We will have breakfast aboard the ship then disembark. Today we drive up to Delphi where the most important oracle of Classical Greek world is situated and also a major site for the worship of God Apollo. Although before all that it was a place of worship for Gaea (Mother Earth). Pythia was the sibyl priestess of Delphi, many generals from all over Greece would bring her offerings and seek her prophecies concerning important strategic matters. Our day will end at Meteora.  Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. (D)

TUESDAY – DAY 8: METEORA MONASTERIES / THESSALONIKI – Meteora meaning in the middle of the sky is a complex of Greek Orthodox monasteries, one of the most important and largest in Greece. It consists of 24 monasteries built at the top of these challenging to access let alone to build sandstone peaks. After the visit to the monastery we continue to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

WEDNESDAY – DAY 9: ANCIENT PHILIPPI / KAVALA – Apostle Paul visited Philippi together with Silas during his Second Missionary Journey. Our first Biblical encounter with Philippi is through Acts 16:11-40. At the time, Philippi had no synagogue and very few Jews, so Paul decides to wait for the Sabbath and go to the riverbanks outside the city. He began to talk to the women that gathered there, amongst them, Lydia-the first person to be Baptized on European soil-she and her household became believers. During our tour in Philippi, we will have the opportunity to visit and study the Bible where the Baptismal service took place called “Lydia’s Baptistry.” We will also see the prison where Paul & Silas where taken, and where the incident of the violent earthquake took place. After that, we will continue to Kavala; the site known as Ancient Neapolis where Paul, Timothy, and Silas landed for Paul’s Second Missionary Journey. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki. (B, D)

THURSDAY – DAY 10: THESSALONIKI / BEREA / ATHENS – When Paul came to Thessaloniki, he went straight to the Synagogue; as described in the Bible in Acts 17:1-9, Paul preached in the Synagogue for three consecutive Sabbaths, and he gained followers. Some of the Jews who were not persuaded created an uproar and attacked Jason’s House, where Paul stayed during his visit. During our tour we will view the agora in Thessaloniki, where Paul preached to the local Jews, as well as Jason’s House. We will also have the opportunity to visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyr of Christianity, we will also see the Arch of Galerius rising over the famous Egnatia Road. Continue to Berea. As described in Acts 17:10-15 Paul and Silas went to Berea and preached at the Synagogue. Many of the Jews became believers, but Paul’s ministry was cut short. While in Berea, we will see the Bema of the Apostle Paul, where he preached to the local Jews. Evening flight to Athens. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

FRIDAY – DAY 11: ATHENS / U.S. – We depart for the Athens airport where we fly back to the U.S. We will return with new friends and memories to last a lifetime!