Today we started early for a full-day tour from Thessaloniki to three other locations that St. Paul visited during his travels: Philippi, Kavala (Neapolis) & Amphipolis.
Our first destination was Philippi, where Paul not only preached but was also attacked & thrown into jail. As well as the remains of some of the earliest churches in Europe we saw the location believed to have been where Paul was imprisoned.
Next we traveled the few miles to where the river runs closest to the city. It's believed that this is the spot where Paul baptized Lydia. We celebrated this momumental event with a Eucharist - an unforgettable experience & one made even more memorable by sharing it with a small group of fellow visitors.
From Philippi we followed the Via Egnatia in the opposite direction that Paul had, retracing his steps to the port of Kavala - known then as Neapolis & the place where Paul landed in mainland Europe.
After visiting the town's memorial to Paul we had free time for lunch or exploring, which several of the group used to climb to the top of the city's old town & enjoy the view from the castle.
Our final stop, on our way back to Thessaloniki, was in the area of ancient Amphipolis - mentioned briefly as a location Paul traveled through. We stopped to view the restored 'Lion Statue' - a huge monument that would have been close to 400 years old in Paul's time & undoubtedly large enough & renowned enough that any traveler would mot likely have seen it in passing through the town.
Back in Thessaloniki the evening was free for everyone to enjoy at leisure, whether dining together, shopping, resting, etc.
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| Exploring Philippi with our expert local guide Fotini |
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| The ruins of one of the earliest churches in Europe |
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| What is believed to be the cell where Paul was imprisoned in Philippi |
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| Seeking shade as Fotini explains the layout of the archaeological site |
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| St. Paul's travelers in the Roman Forum of Philippi |
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| Modern mosaic map of Paul's travels - we are visiting all the locations shown! |
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| Church commemorating Paul's baptisms, especially that of Lydia |
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| Eucharist in the spot where St. Paul baptized the first convert to Christianity in Europe! |
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| Monument to St. Paul in Kavala (Neapolis) |
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| Kahala street view |
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| View of Kavala 's port - a little different from what Paul saw! |
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| The Aqueduct of Kavala |
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| Lunch in Kavala |
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| The Lion of Amphipolis |
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