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The seven cities mentioned
in Revelation form what the Rev. John Stott “an irregular circle”,and “are listed in the order in which a Messenger might visit them if commissioned
to deliver the
letters”.Sailing from the island of Patmos,to which John
had been banished,he would arrive at Ephesus.He would then travel north to
Smyrna and Pergamum,southeast to Thyatira,Sardes and Philadelphia,and
finish his journey at Laodicea.He would need only to keep to what
Professor William Ramsey calls “the great circular road that bound
together the most populous,wealthy and influential part of the Province,the
west-central region.”
Though the book of
Revelation was penned by the hand of the Apostle John,it is claimed that
these letters emanate directly emanate from the lips of the ascended and
glorified Jesus Christ.Stott notes that “in them,by praise and censure,warning
and exhortation,He makes plain much of His will for His people.The seven
churches of Asia,though historical,represent the local churches of all
ages and of all lands”.The onslaught on the Church was physical through a
persecuting emperor and his deputies,intellectual through false cults,and
moral through sub-Christian ethicalstandards.As we look around the world
today,the same pressures harassing different churches and the messages in
these letters are also fort he Church in the world.Stott says “it’s a call
to Christians to endure tribulation,to hold fast to the truth,to resist
the deceptions of the devil and to obey the commanmends of God.” In each
of the seven letters,which follow,the risen Christ lays emphasis,either in
rebuke or incommendation,of one particular characteristic of an ideal
church.Put together,these characteristic constitute the seven Marks of a
true and living church.
•
EPHESUS
•SMYRNA •PERGAMUM
•THYATIRA
•SARDIS
•PHILADELPHIA •LAODICEA
So
as tou can see,when a visitor comes to these remarkable Roman ruins
carrying his New Testament and reflects on what happened in the past and
meditates on the universal lessons to be learned today,a trip to the Seven
Churches of Revelation in modern Turkey can be an unforgettable experience.Turkey,with
its thousands of ancient sites reflecting its centuries of history and
culture spanning more than 5000 years combined with its modern beauty,sunny
beaches,crystal-clear waters,exotic bazaars,world-renowded cuisine,and
hospitable people,is a destination guaranteed to be a life-changing trip.
The Seven Ecumenical Councils were held in Turkey
|
1 |
Nicaea
(Iznik) |
325 |
|
2 |
Constantinopolis (Istanbul) |
381 |
|
3 |
Ephesus (Selcuk) |
431 |
|
4 |
Chalcedon (Kadikoy) |
451 |
|
5 |
Constantinopolis
(Istanbul) |
553 |
|
6 |
Constantinopolis (Istanbul) |
681 |
|
7 |
Nicaea
(Iznik) |
787 |
OTHER BIBLICAL SITE
St.
Paul`s Birthplace
- Eastern
Turkey
- Hierapolis-Pamukkale
- Troas
- Cappadocia
Miletus-Balat
- Perga-Perge,Murtuna
- Attalia-Antalya
- Derbe
- Assos-Behramkoy
Colossae
- Antioch
on Orontes-Antakya
- Antioch
of Psida-Yalvac
- St.
Sophia Church (Museum)
- The
House of the Virgin Mary
- Pilgrimages
- Discovery of The Home (Anna Catharina Emmerich) - Antioch
CAPPADOCIA CHURCHES:
Tokali Kilise - Elmali Kilise
- Karanlik Kilise - Sandal Kilise
Barbara Kilise - The Yilanli Kilise
-
El Nazar Kilise
Tour I
Itinerary for 5 Nights / 6 Days
Izmir-Pergamum-Thyatira-Pamukkale-Sardes-Philadelphia-Laodicea-Miletos-Kusadasi-Ephesus
Tour II
Itinerary for 12 Nights / 13 Days
Istanbul-St.Sophia-Hippodrome-Blue
Mosque-Topkapı
Palace-St.
Irene and St. Chora Museum-Cappadocia-Konya-Antalya-Demre-Hierapolis-Pamukkale-Laodicea-Patmos-Kusadasi-Ephesus-Izmir-Sardes-Philadelphia-Pergamum-Bursa-Nicea-Iznik-Istanbul
Tour III
Itenerary for 13 Nights /14 Days
Istanbul-St.Sophia-Hippodrome-Blue
Mosque-Topkapı
Palace-St.
Irene and St. Chora Museum-Bursa-Troy-Ayvalık-Pergamum-Thyatira-Izmir-Sardes-Philadelphia-Ephesus-Kusadasi-Patmos
(Greek Island)-Aphrodisias-Laodicea
Pamukkale-Pisidian
Antioch-Iconıum-Cappadocia-Tarsus-Antioch
TOUR
I
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Seven Churches Of The Revelation
Itinerary for 5 Nights / 6 Days
Day 01:
Izmir
Arrive at
Izmir Airport .Meet and transfer to hotel.Visit the church of St. POLICARP
which the oldest
church in ancient
Smyrna,it symbolized the community of the Seven Churches
of the Apocalypse.Then visit Alexander the Great’s “ Velvet Castle “
overlooking the bay of
Izmir.
Day 02:
Izmir-Pergamum-Thyatira-Pamukkale
Visit
Pergamum,the
Acropolis and the
Asclepion,then drive to Akhisar to visit
the Church of ancient
Thyatira.Return to
Izmir.
Day 03:
Izmir-Sardes-Philadelphia-Pamukkale
Drive to
Sardes,ancient capital city of the Lydians and the visit
Church of
Sardes.Continue to Alasehir where the ancient
Philadelphia Church is
located.Walk the streets of
Philadelphia,then proceed to
Pamukkale,the
white “Cotton Castle” with lime cascades of the Roman spa,
see the ancient
city of Hierapolis.The Martyrium of St. Philip the Apostle is here.Enjoy a
leisurely bath in the hot spring pool of your hotel.
Day 04:
Pamukkale-Laodicea-Miletos-Kusadasi
Morning
visit to Eskihisar,the ancient
Laodicea,then drive to
Miletos,where St.
Paul gave a speech to Christianity.Overnight in
Kusadasi.
Day 05:
Kusadasi-Ephesus-Kusadasi
Full day
visit to the unforgettable remains of
Ephesus,the House of the Virgin
Mary,the Archaelogical Museum and the
Basilica of Saint John.
Day 06:
Kusadasi-Izmir
Transfer
to Izmir Airport.End of our services.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES
The Seven
Churches mentioned by St. John in the Book of Revelations (The Apocalypse)
are all found in Turkey and each was a founding community of
Christianity.
| |
|
|
|
Smyrna |
Revelation |
2:8-11 |
|
Pergamum |
Revelation |
2:12-17 |
|
Thyatira |
Revelation |
2:18-29 Acts 16:14 |
|
Sardes |
Revelation |
3:1-6 |
|
Philadelphia |
Revelation |
3:7-13 |
|
Laodicea |
Revelation |
3:14-22 |
|
Ephesus |
Revelation |
1:11:2:1-7 Acts 18:19-28:19 |
| |
|
|
To Make
reservation or have
more details of this tour;
Please contact our Biblical sites tour representative
in
CA-U.S
Ms. Eloise BATTLE
 See
Our Vehicles
TOUR II
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In the
Footsteps of St. Paul,
Seven Churches of the
Revelation and the Greek
Island Patmos.
Itinerary for 12 Nights / 13 Days
Day 01:
Istanbul
Arrive
Istanbul.Meet and transfer to the hotel.Afternoon orientation tour in
Istanbul,if times permits (according to the arrival time).Overnight in
Istanbul.
Day 02:
Istanbul
St.Sophia,Hippodrome,Blue Mosque,Topkapı Palace,St. Irene and
St. Chora
Museum.Overnight in
Istanbul.
Day 03:
Flight to Cappadocia-Kayseri Airport and drive to Hotel Gamirasu.Leisure
Day.
Day 04:
Cappadocia
Full day
exploring Cappadocia.Visit
Goreme Open Air
Museum,Avanos,the pottery
making town,the naturel Citadel of
Uchisar and the monastic
Zelve Valley.
Day 05:
Cappadocia
Visit the
Ihlara Valley including painted cave churches,Güzelyurt (Karballa),the
birthplace of St. Gregory of Nazianzus and the
underground city of
Kaymaklı.Return to hotel for overnight.
Day 06:
Cappadocia-Konya-Antalya
Early
departure to Konya.Visit the
Mevlana Museum and the 13th century Whirling
Dervish Monastery.After lunch,drive to
Antalya.
Day 07:
Demre-Hierapolis-Pamukkale
Early
departure to Demre,one of the six great cities of the Lycian civilization
which was first settled in the 5th century B.C.The rock tombs,theater and
Church of St. Nicholas commemorate the life and work of this Fourth
Century Bishop.Saint Nicholas provided the dowries for three poor girls
who would not have been able to marry otherwise,the beginning of our
tradition of Christmas giving.Continue to
Hierapolis,where we will visit
the Martyrium of St. Philip amidst the site’s extensive ruins.Overnight in
Pamukkale.
Day 08:
Pamukkale-Hierapolis-Laodicea
Complete
the tour of Hierapolis,see the wonderful formation of stalactites in
Pamukkale (Cotton Castle),the Roman Bath which later became a church,then
visit Laodicea,one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation,continue to
Kusadasi for overnight.
Day 09:
Patmos-Kusadasi
Today
we’ll travel by private boat to the Greek Island of Patmos,location of the
cave where John wrote the Book of Revelation,and also spend time at St.
John’s Monastery.Return to
Kusadasi for overnight.
Day 10:
Ephesus-Izmir
Depart for
Ephesus,cradle of the early Church.Visit
the House of the Virgin
Mary,ancient
Ephesus,the Archaeological Museum,the Temple of Diana (one of
the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World),the grave and
Basilica of St.
John.Dinner and overnight in
Izmir.
Day11:
Sardes-Philadelphia-Izmir
After Mass
at the Church of St. Polycarp,travel to
Sardes,the capital city city of
the ancient kingdom of
Lydia,and the church which was built on the
foundations of the Temple of Artemis.After traveling to
Philadelphia,return to
Izmir.Balance of the afternoon is free to explore
the city and its ancient bazaar.Overnight in
Izmir.
Day 12:
Pergamum-Bursa
Depart to
Pergamum to see the
Asclepion,the ancient hospital whose approach to
medicine was remarkably modern,the
Acropolis,the church at the site of
ancient Serapium,and the Red Court dedicated to St. John.Continue to
Bursa
; visit the Green Mosque and the Green Mousoloum.Overnight in
Bursa.
Day 13:
Bursa-Nicea-Iznik-Istanbul
Drive to
Iznik (ancient Nicaea) via the beautiful
Iznik lake road.Two ecumenical
councils were held here : the First Ecumenical Council of 325 and the
Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787.Visit the ruins of the St. Sophia Church
where the Seventh Ecumenical Council was held.In the afternoon,drive to
Istanbul,the only city in the world spanning two continents ; transfer to
hotel.Evening at leisure.
To
Make reservation or have
more details of this tour;
Please contact our Biblical sites tour representative in
CA-U.S
Ms. Eloise BATTLE
See
Our Vehicles
Tour III
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Early Churches
With St.Paul & St.John
Itenerary for 13 Nights /14 Days
Day 01:
Istanbul
Arrıve
Istanbul.Meet and transfer to the hotel.Afternoon orientation tour in
Istanbul,if times permits (according to the arrival time).Overnight in
Istanbul.
Day 02:
Istanbul
St.Sophia,Hippodrome,Blue Mosque,Topkapı Palace,St. Irene and
St. Chora
Museum.Overnight in
Istanbul.
Day 03:
Istanbul-Bursa
Drive to
Iznik (Nicea),the site of the First and Seventh Ecumenical Councils.Drive
to Bursa,visit the Gren Mosque and the Green Mouseleum.Overnight in
Bursa.
Day 04:
Bursa-Troy-Ayvalik
Continue
to Canakkale,visit
Gallipoli,Troy,Alexandra
Troas where St. Paul met
Luke.Overnight in Ayvalık.
Day 05:
Pergamum-Thyatira-Izmir
Depart to
Pergamum,visit to
Asclepion,the ancient hospital,the
Acropolis,the Church
at the site of Serapium (7C) and the Red Court dedicated to St. John.Then
visit Akhisar,the site of ancient
Thyatira (7C).Overnight in
Izmir.
Day 06:
Sardes-Philadelphia-Izmir
Visit
Sardes,the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of
Lydia,visit the Church
built on the foundations of the Temple of Artemis (7C).Contınue to
Alasehir,ancient
Philadelphia (7C).Return to
Izmir,visit St. Policarp
Church (7C).Overnight in
Izmir.
Day 07:
Ephesus-Kusadasi
Drive to
Ephesus where St. Paul stayed a while,visit ancient city,House of the
Virgin Mary,the
Basilica of St. John (7C),continue to
Miletos where St.
Paul gave a speech to spread Christianity.
Overnight in
Kusadasi.
Day 08:
Kusadasi-Patmos
(Greek Island)-Kusadasi
Daily tour
to the Greek Island of Patmos by private boat.Visit the cave of Revelation
and St. John’s Monastery. Return to
Kusadasi for overnight.
Day 09:
Aphrodisias-Laodicea Pamukkale
Visit
Aphrodisias,Laodicea (7C) and
Hıerapolis,overnight in
Pamukkale.
Day 10:
Pisidian Antioch-Iconium-Cappadocia
Visit
Pisidian Antioch,Konya (Iconıum),the
Mevlana Mosque and Mouseleum,proceed
to Cappadocia for overnight.
Day 11:
Cappadocia
Visit
Goreme,Zelve Valley,Underground City.Overnight in
Cappadocia.
Day 12:
Cappadocia-Tarsus-Antioch
Depart to
Tarsus,the
birthplace of St. Paul,continue to
Antakya (Biblical city of
Antioch)where St. Paul and St. Barnabas stayed.Overnight in
Antakya.
Day 13:
Antioch-Fly Istanbul
Visit the
Museum of Antioch with its famous mosaics and St. Peter’s Grotto,the Cave
Church where early Christians met in secret.Drive to Adana airport for
late afternoon flight to
Istanbul.
Day 14:
Istanbul
Transfer
to Istanbul airport for departure.
To Make
reservation or have
more details of this tour;
Please contact our Biblical sites tour representative in
CA-U.S
Ms. Eloise BATTLE |
