Biblical Sites in Turkey :
In the book of Revelation of the Bible are written messages
to seven of the most prominent churches of the Roman Province
of Asia, which are located in western Turkey. When we use the
word “ church ” we mean a group of Christians,
not a building.
Therefore
on a tour of the seven churches we are not looking for
remnants of church structures. However, a visit to the
impressive excavations of the sites of the ancient Roman
cities where these seven churches existed can be quite
fascinating,informative and moving. These sites show Marks of
the passing empires and cultures of the Greeks, Roman,
Byzantines, Selcuk Turks, Ottomans and the modern Turkish
Republic. A visitor to these ancient places find remains of
massive pagan temples, beautiful Muslim mosques, as well as
many Christian church buildings, which were of course built
much later in history. 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 ethical standards. 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
commandments of God.” In each of the seven letters,
which follow, the risen Christ lays emphasis, either in
rebuke or in commendation of one particular characteristic of
an ideal church. Put together, these characteristic
constitute the seven Marks of a true and living church.
Biblical Tour 2
Tour Code : BT102
Travel Time
: 12 Nights 13 Days
Prices : Please Ask
Please click for Inquiry Form
Tour Plan :
Day
1 : 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,Topkapi Palace, St. Irene and St.
Chora Museum. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day
03 : Flight to Cappadocia - Kayseri Airport and drive
to hotel. 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 Kaymakli.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 : Demre - Hierapolis - Pamukkale
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 will 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.
Day
11 : 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 Mousoleum. 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.
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 | 2:18-19 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 Acts18:19-28:19 |
Included :
| • Transfer from airport or hotel and back | |
| • Transportation by a comfortable AC non smoking Luxurious car / Van with professional driver. | |
| • Professional and experienced licensed guide during the tours. | |
| • Entry fees to the museums and sites. ( Including Terraces House in Ephesus ) | |
| • Parking fees. | |
