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 Laodiceia. 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 3
Tour Code : BT103
Travel Time
: 13 Nights 14 Days
Prices : Please
Ask
Please click for Inquiry Form
Tour Plan :
Day
1 : Istanbul
Arrive
to 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 : Istanbul - Bursa
Drive
to Iznik (Nicea), the site of the First and Seventh
Ecumenical Councils. Drive to Bursa, visit the Green 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 Ayvalik.
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). Continue 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 Hierapolis, overnight in
Pamukkale.
Day
10 : Pisidian Antioch - Iconium - Cappadocia
Visit
Pisidian Antioch, Konya (Iconium), 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 - Flight to 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.
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. | |
