Pilgrimage to the 7 Churches of Revelation, Turkey with FR. DAVE T. CONCEPCION

Arrival in Istanbul. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After an early breakfast and check-out, we will continue with our domestic flight to Antakya (Antioch). Meet and greet with our local guide. Today, we will see Antakya, the city where the disciples were called “Christians” for the first time (Acts 11:26). After lunch, we will visit to the St. Peter’s Church – one of the first Catholic Churches in the world; Antakya Museum of Mosaics, the most impressive one of this kind in the Near East. In the afternoon, a brief coach ride to Samandagi (Seleucia Pereira), the port from where Paul and Barnabas sailed to Cyprus on their first journey (Acts 13:4). Transfer to the hotel for check-in and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out. Early departure for Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul. Arrival and a visit to St. Paul’s house which exists today. Then proceed to Cappadocia. An orientation drive through Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Valley, where we can discover the spectacular rock formations, magical fairy chimnies and our guide will tell us about the history of Cappadocia and volcanic formation of fairy chimnies. We will visit the Carpet School. Then continue driving to Avanos – a town famous with potteries from Hittities period. After lunch, we drive to Devrent Valley where we can see various types of fairy chimnies like mushroom shape and animal shape. And then, we go to Urgup and Ortahisar rock-cut castle, to watch the view of old Greek house which was built in the 1800’s. Afterwards, we drive to Goreme Open Air Museum. It is a place where we can visit carved churches and chapels and monasteries. The churches were painted with frecoes from between 10^th and 13^th centuries. Overnight in Cappadocia.  

Today, we start with a visit to the Jewellery Workshop & Center. Then we will stop to take photos of Pigeon Valley and another photo stop will be at the bottom of Uchisar Rock-cut castle. Drive to Konya. Have a photo stop for Sultan Han Caravanserai. Upon arrival, we will visit to St. Paul Church. Overnight in Konya.  

Today, we drive to Yalvac (Pisidian Antioch), a town where St. Paul stayed for quite a long time and used it as a base while spreading Christianity in the region (Acts 13:14-50). Then we will explore the Antique City of Hierapolis, where Calcareous Thermal Springs descending over cliffs have created fascinating travertines in the form of white terrace and basins, also known as the Cotton Castle. Continue on to Laodicea. Christianity came during the time of St. Paul, brought by Epharas of Colossae. Laodicea became the seat of Bishopric and hosted an important Ecumenical Council in the 4^th century AD. It was names in the Revelations as one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Overnight in Pamukkale. 

We will visit the Textile Shopping. Drive to Philadelphia, which was referred to as the “New Jerusalem” in the Book of Revelation. Not much is left of the city except for the ancient wall and the remains of a Byzantine Basilica in the modern city of Alesahir. Continue to Thyatira to view the ancient roadway and period columns. This is one of the principal towns where Christianity spread quickly. Then we drive to Sardis. Sardis was berated by John for its façade of strength when in reality, it was weak. Here is where coins were minted and the dyeing of wood originated. We’ll visit the Temple of Artemis to see the gymnasium and synagogue. Overnight in Kusadasi. 

We will visit the Outlet Leather Factory & Center. Have some free time for shopping and watching live fashion show. Afterwards, we will drive to Selcuk for a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary on top of Mt. Coressos. It is believed that she spent years in this area. We continue our visit in Ephesus, the once thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today, you can still see the spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city including the view of the Library of Celcius, Agora, Temple of Hadrian, the Fountain of Trajan, the Theatre, colorful mosaics. You can also see the panoramic view of the surrounding ancient port area including a wealth of church history and cultural insight.

After breakfast, we will start our day with a visit to the archeological remains of the ancient city of Smyrna. Smyrna was one of the Seven Churches that the Apostle John relays the promise from God: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life”. Drive to the north to the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon. Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from 299 BC, we will see the Trajaneum, Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus, Theater and the 2000,000 volumes library which was surpassed only by that found in Alexandria at the time. Overnight in Bursa.

Breakfast at the hotel. We will do some shopping at the Turkish Delights. Then drive to Iznik-Nicaea. The Council of Nicaea (325) was the first ecumenical council in the history of the Christian Church. The meeting of Bishops and Church leaders at the direction of Emperor Constantine the Great resulted in the affirmation of the Holy Trinity and the formation of what would be known as the Nicaean Creed, which has been affirmed by Christians worldwide for 1700 years. Drive to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we will enjoy the Bosphorus Cruise on a yacht and experience the magnificent view between Asia and Europe. Continue our day with visiting St. Anthony Church in Taksim. Overnight in Istanbul. 

Breakfast and check-out. Today, we will visit the Hippodrome – once a stadium used traditionally for horse and chariot racing; Blue Mosque – the only mosque in Istanbul with six minarets and a treasury of some of Turkey’s greatest artworks and artifacts. After lunch, we will visit The Hagia Sophia, with its innovative architecture, rich history, religious significance and extraordinary characteristic has been fighting against time for centuries, is the largest Eastern Roman Church in Istanbul. Transfer to the Istanbul airport for your flight back to Manila. 

HOME SWEET HOME!!!