Christian Pilgrimage to Turkey – 18 Days

Our representative meets you at Cukurova Airport and drives you to your hotel in Adana, your base for three nights. Adana has more flights and a wider choice of hotels than Antakya, and both Antioch and Tarsus are within reach from here. The afternoon is free to rest, and in the evening your guide outlines the pilgrimage ahead. Dinner and overnight in Adana.

In Antakya, ancient Antioch on the Orontes, the followers of Jesus were first called Christians, and from this church Barnabas and Paul were sent out. We visit the Church of St. Peter, the cave church of Antioch’s early believers, then go down to Seleucia Pieria, the port where the first mission set sail, and the Titus Tunnel. (about 5.5–6 hours of driving in total)

Biblical References: Acts 11:19–26; Acts 13:1–4

A day in Tarsus, the “no mean city” of Cilicia where Paul was born. We visit St. Paul’s Well, linked by tradition to his family home, St. Paul’s Church and the excavated Roman Street. Here Paul returned after his conversion, and here Barnabas came looking for him to bring him to Antioch. Dinner and overnight in Adana.

Biblical References: Acts 9:30; Acts 11:25–26; Acts 21:39; Acts 22:3

Across the Taurus Mountains into Lycaonia. At Derbe (Kerti Hoyuk near Karaman) and Lystra (near Hatunsaray), Paul preached, healed, was stoned and later chose Timothy. Both are unexcavated mounds, so the visits are moments for Scripture reading and prayer rather than tours of ruins. We continue to Konya, ancient Iconium, for the night. (about 6 hours of driving in total)

Biblical References: Acts 14:6–23; Acts 16:1–3

At Alaaddin Hill, the mound of ancient Iconium, we recall the synagogue preaching that divided the city. We then drive to Pisidian Antioch near Yalvac, where Paul’s first recorded sermon was heard in the synagogue, and walk its Roman streets and early Christian basilica. In the afternoon we descend through the Taurus to Antalya for two nights. (about 5.5 hours of driving in total)

Biblical References: Acts 13:14–52; Acts 14:1–7

At Perga, the apostles’ landing point from Cyprus and the place where John Mark left them, we walk the colonnaded street, agora and city gates. In the afternoon we explore Kaleici and the Old Roman Harbour of Attalia, where Paul and Barnabas boarded ship for Antioch at the end of the First Missionary Journey. Overnight in Antalya.

Biblical References: Acts 13:13–14; Acts 14:24–26

West along the Lycian coast to Myra, where Paul, a prisoner bound for Rome, was moved onto an Alexandrian grain ship. From here his voyage entered its hardest stretch, beating slowly past Cnidus toward Crete. We see Myra’s Roman theatre and rock-cut tombs, then the ancient harbor of Andriake, before continuing to Kas or Kalkan for dinner and overnight.

Biblical References: Acts 27:1–8

At Patara, Paul found a ship for Phoenicia on his last voyage to Jerusalem. We explore the theatre, public buildings and harbor area of this great Lycian port, then drive inland to Pamukkale, where the Seven Churches section of the pilgrimage begins the next morning. (about 4.5 hours of driving in total)

Biblical References: Acts 21:1–2

The Seven Churches begin at Laodicea, the wealthy banking and textile city that Christ called “lukewarm” and invited to open the door: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Among its colonnaded streets and early Christian church complex we reflect on the letter in Revelation 3 alongside Paul’s greeting to the Laodiceans. At Hierapolis, above the travertines of Pamukkale, we recall Epaphras and the tradition of St. Philip. Colossae, the church of Paul’s letter, is an unexcavated mound; the visit format depends on local access. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Biblical References: Revelation 3:14–22; Colossians 1:15–20; Colossians 4:12–16

We cross to the Aegean coast and Miletus, the Ionian port where Paul, hurrying to Jerusalem, called the elders of Ephesus to meet him. His farewell in Acts 20 is a charge to keep watch over the flock, ending in prayer on the shore and tears at parting. Among the theatre and harbor ruins we reflect on his words before continuing to Kusadasi for two nights.

Biblical References: Acts 20:15–38; 2 Timothy 4:20

Ephesus joins both halves of the pilgrimage: the city where Paul taught for over two years, and the first of the Seven Churches, praised for its endurance but warned that it had left its first love. Entering at the Upper Gate, we walk downhill past the Temple of Hadrian and Library of Celsus to the Great Theatre of the Acts 19 riot. Then the Basilica of St. John in Selcuk, and one visit your group selects in advance: the House of the Virgin Mary or the Ephesus Archaeological Museum. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Biblical References: Acts 19:1–41; Revelation 2:1–7; John 19:26–27

Inland to Philadelphia, modern Alasehir, the church that received no rebuke and the promise of an open door that no one can shut. Among the remains of the Byzantine Church of St. John we reflect on Revelation 3:7–13. At Sardis, once the capital of Lydia, the church with a name for being alive was told to wake up. We visit the Gymnasium, the Sardis Synagogue and the Temple of Artemis before driving to Izmir. (about 4–4.5 hours of driving in total)

Biblical References: Revelation 3:1–13

In Izmir, ancient Smyrna, the persecuted church was told “Be faithful unto death.” We walk the vaulted galleries of the Agora of Smyrna and remember Bishop Polycarp, martyred here in the second century; the Church of St. Polycarp is added when access and timing allow. At Thyatira, modern Akhisar, city of trade guilds and the home of Lydia the purple-seller, we reflect on the letter that praised love and service but warned against compromise. Overnight in Aliaga. (about 3 hours of driving in total)

Biblical References: Revelation 2:8–11; Revelation 2:18–29; Acts 16:14–15

On the Pergamon Acropolis, seventh of the churches, we stand among the Temple of Trajan, the steep theatre and the foundations of the Altar of Zeus, in the city Revelation calls the place “where Satan’s throne is.” Here faithful Antipas died, and the overcomers were promised hidden manna and a white stone. We continue north to Assos, where Paul walked overland to rejoin his ship, and stay the night there. (about 3 hours of driving in total)

Biblical References: Revelation 2:12–17; Acts 20:13–14

At Alexandria Troas, Paul saw the man of Macedonia calling “Come over and help us,” and the Gospel crossed into Europe; years later, Eutychus fell from a window during Paul’s all-night teaching and was restored. Nearby Troy, not a Pauline site, shows the long history of the Troad from the Bronze Age to the Roman town, and the Troy Museum brings its finds together. Overnight in Canakkale on the Dardanelles. (about 2 hours of driving in total)

Biblical References: Acts 16:6–12; Acts 20:5–12; 2 Corinthians 2:12–13

A travel day across the Dardanelles to Istanbul, ancient Byzantium, which Constantine made his capital in AD 330 and which became a center of Christianity in the centuries after the apostles. After check-in, the rest of the day is free to rest after two weeks on the road. Overnight in Istanbul. (about 4.5 hours of driving in total)

Historical context: Acts 1:8

The pilgrimage ends in the city of the great councils. Hagia Sophia, Justinian’s church of AD 537, was the heart of Byzantine worship for nearly a thousand years; its mosaics are seen where accessible. In the Hippodrome stand the Obelisk of Theodosius and the Serpent Column. We continue to the Blue Mosque and descend into the Basilica Cistern, Justinian’s columned reservoir. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Historical context: the First Council of Constantinople, AD 381

After breakfast you are transferred by private vehicle to Istanbul Airport for your international flight, at a time that suits your departure. You leave having walked from the church that first sent Paul out in Antioch to the seven churches that received Christ’s letters in Revelation.