{"id":480,"date":"2026-09-11T20:40:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T18:40:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/?p=480"},"modified":"2026-09-15T00:18:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T22:18:37","slug":"program-1-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/?p=480","title":{"rendered":"Turkey: In the Footsteps of St. Paul, Roots of Faith & Churches of the Apocalypse"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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PROGRAM Turkey
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The Early Church: St. Paul, Early Christian Communities ,
\n& the Roots of the Creed<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Discover the origin of the Christian faith across Asia Minor \u2014 from the street of Antioch where believers were first called Christians to the Apostolic mission in Galatia and the Seven Churches of Revelation. Follow St. Paul\u2019s footsteps through Tarsus and Pisidian Antioch, take in the monastic heritage of Cappadocia, and conclude the journey in Nicaea, where the First Ecumenical Council framed the Nicene Creed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Thessaloniki \/ Istanbul \u2013 Antioch \u2013 Seleucia Pieria \u2013 Tarsus \u2013 Ayatekla \u2013 Cappadocia \u2013 Pisidian Antioch \u2013 Lake E\u011firdir \u2013 Hierapolis \u2013 Pamukkale \u2013 Laodicea \u2013 Sardis \u2013 Ephesus \u2013 Nicaea \u2013 Istanbul<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Day 1
Istanbul<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Arrival in Turkey<\/strong><\/p>

Arrival at Istanbul Airport<\/strong> and transfer to the hotel. Time to settle in and rest after the transatlantic flight before beginning the pilgrimage. Overnight in Istanbul<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 2
Istanbul<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 The Spiritual Heart of Orthodoxy<\/b><\/p>

Visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate<\/b> and the Church of St. George in Phanar<\/b>, the historic center of Eastern Orthodoxy. Continue to the historic peninsula to visit Hagia Sophia<\/b> and the Blue Mosque<\/b>, exploring how Christian, Byzantine, and Ottoman history shaped the city.<\/p>

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Afternoon \u2013 Between Two Continents<\/b><\/p>

Explore the historic waterfront followed by a private boat cruise along the Bosphorus Strait<\/b>, observing Istanbul\u2019s unique location spanning Europe and Asia. Overnight in Istanbul<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 3
Istanbul \u2013 Antioch \u2013 Seleucia Pieria<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Antioch & St. Peter\u2019s Cave<\/b><\/p>

Morning flight to Hatay (Antakya). Visit the Church of St. Peter<\/b>, carved into the mountainside on the outskirts of ancient Antioch<\/b> \u2014 where Acts 11 notes that the disciples were first called „Christians.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 The Port of the First Missionary Journey<\/b><\/p>

Continue to Seleucia Pieria<\/b> (Samanda\u011f), the ancient Mediterranean port city. Visit the ancient harbor remains and Titus Tunnel<\/b>, where according to Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas set sail for Cyprus to begin their First Missionary Journey. Overnight in the Antioch \/ Samanda\u011f<\/b> area.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 4
Antioch \u2013 Tarsus \u2013 Ayatekla \u2013 Silifke<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Tarsus: City of Paul\u2019s Youth<\/b><\/p>

Drive to Tarsus<\/b>, the birthplace and home of St. Paul (Acts 22:3). Visit St. Paul\u2019s Well<\/b> and the historic St. Paul Church<\/b>, reflecting on the Greco-Roman and Jewish environment that shaped the Apostle. Mass in Tarsus, subject to confirmation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Ayatekla: Sanctuary of St. Thecla<\/b><\/p>

Continue along the coast to Ayatekla<\/b> near Silifke, an early Christian pilgrimage site centered on the cave tradition of St. Thecla<\/b>, an early disciple associated with St. Paul’s ministry in apocryphal tradition. Drive to Silifke<\/b>. Overnight in Silifke<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 5
Silifke \u2013 Central Anatolia \u2013 Cappadocia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Silifke \u2192 Cappadocia<\/strong><\/p>

Travel by coach from the Mediterranean coast through the Taurus Mountains<\/strong> and across the Anatolian plateau to Cappadocia<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 U\u00e7hisar Panorama & Pigeon Valley<\/strong><\/p>

Arrive in Cappadocia and stop at the U\u00e7hisar viewpoint<\/strong> for a first panorama of the region. Continue with a short, easy walk through part of Pigeon Valley<\/strong>, an introduction to Cappadocia\u2019s distinctive volcanic landscape before exploring its Christian heritage the following day. Overnight in Cappadocia<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 6
Cappadocia \u2013 Konya<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 G\u00f6reme Open-Air Museum<\/b><\/p>

Visit selected rock-cut churches and chapels at the G\u00f6reme Open-Air Museum<\/b>, examining 10th- to 12th-century Byzantine frescoes and monastic cells. Reflect on the legacy of the Cappadocian Fathers<\/b> (Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory of Nazianzus) and their contribution to Trinitarian theology.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Konya: Paul in Iconium<\/b><\/p>

Drive west across the Anatolian plains to Konya<\/b>, ancient Iconium, where St. Paul and Barnabas preached during the First Missionary Journey (Acts 14). Visit St. Paul\u2019s Church<\/b> and the Mevlana Museum<\/b>, dedicated to the Sufi mystic Rumi, exploring the broader religious history of Anatolia. Overnight in Konya<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 7
Konya \u2013 Pisidian Antioch \u2013 Lake E\u011firdir<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Pisidian Antioch: St. Paul\u2019s Mission<\/strong><\/p>

Drive to Pisidian Antioch<\/strong> near Yalva\u00e7. Visit the Basilica of St. Paul<\/strong> and the remains of the ancient city, where Acts 13 records Paul preaching in the synagogue during his First Missionary Journey.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Lake E\u011firdir<\/strong><\/p>

Continue to Lake E\u011firdir<\/strong>, surrounded by the Taurus Mountains. Enjoy a quiet walk along the lake and the historic peninsula \u2013 a slower afternoon after the morning visit to Pisidian Antioch. Overnight in E\u011firdir<\/strong>.<\/p>

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Day 8
E\u011firdir \u2013 Hierapolis \u2013 Pamukkale<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Ancient Hierapolis<\/b><\/p>

Drive west toward Denizli and enter the vast archaeological site of Hierapolis<\/b>. Walk through the northern Necropolis<\/b>, the Roman Baths<\/b>, and the ancient Theatre<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Martyrium of St. Philip & Pamukkale Travertines<\/b><\/p>

For those who wish, ascend the sloped trail behind the theater to the Martyrium and Tomb of St. Philip<\/b>, marking the traditional site of the Apostle’s martyrdom. Afterwards, take time at the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale<\/b>. Overnight in Pamukkale<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 9
Laodicea \u2013 Sardis \u2013 Ephesus Region<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church<\/b><\/p>

Drive to nearby Laodicea<\/b> (Denizli). Explore the excavated Roman city, its colonnaded streets, ancient theaters, and the restored 4th-century Laodicean Church<\/b>, reflecting on the message in Revelation 3:14\u201322.<\/p>

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Afternoon \u2013 Sardis: The Church Called to Awake<\/b><\/p>

Continue northwest to Sardis<\/b> (Salihli), capital of ancient Lydia. Visit the monumental 3rd-century Synagogue<\/b>, the adjacent Roman Gymnasium<\/b>, and the Temple of Artemis<\/b>, considering the Biblical warning to „wake up” (Rev 3:1\u20136). Drive west toward the Aegean coast. Overnight in Ku\u015fadas\u0131<\/b> or Sel\u00e7uk<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 10
Ephesus \u2013 House of Mary<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Ancient Ephesus & Great Theatre<\/b><\/p>

Tour ancient Ephesus<\/b>, one of the primary cities of the Roman Empire and a major center of St. Paul\u2019s ministry. Walk along the Marble Street and Celsus Library<\/b> to the Great Theatre<\/b>, site of the silversmiths’ riot against Paul described in Acts 19.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Church of Mary & House of the Virgin Mary<\/b><\/p>

Visit the Church of Mary<\/b> (Double Church), site of the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, which officially affirmed Mary as Theotokos<\/b> (Mother of God). Continue up to the House of the Virgin Mary<\/b> (Meryemana) on Mount Koressos for prayer and Mass, subject to confirmation. Overnight in Ku\u015fadas\u0131<\/b> or Sel\u00e7uk<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 11
Ephesus Region \u2013 Nicaea \u2013 Istanbul<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Morning \u2013 Ephesus Region \u2192 Nicaea<\/strong><\/p>

Leave the Aegean region and travel north to Nicaea (modern \u0130znik)<\/strong>, the city where the First Ecumenical Council gathered in AD 325.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Afternoon \u2013 Nicaea & the Nicene Creed<\/strong><\/p>

Explore Nicaea<\/strong>, including the historic Church of Hagia Sophia<\/strong>, associated with the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787, and the ancient city walls. At the shores of Lake \u0130znik<\/strong>, recall the First Council of Nicaea and recite the Nicene Creed<\/strong> together \u2013 a fitting conclusion to the pilgrimage through the lands of the early Church.<\/p>

Continue to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Day 12
Istambul<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Departure<\/strong><\/p>

Transfer to Istanbul Airport<\/strong> for the return flight home.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n Make This Pilgrimage Your Own<\/strong>\n <\/h3>\n\n

\n \n This is a sample itinerary. Your pilgrimage can be shaped around your group\u2019s spiritual focus, pace and available time \u2013 from deeper exploration of the Pauline sites and Early Christian heritage to Cappadocia, the Aegean coast or additional days combining this route with Greece.\n <\/strong>\n <\/p>\n\n

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From Antioch and Tarsus to Ephesus and Nicaea. Follow the missionary journey of St. Paul, discover the Cappadocian heritage, and visit the historic sites where the Early Church defined the Creed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":679,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-program"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=480"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":686,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480\/revisions\/686"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/springs.iftest.pl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}