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May 10-22, 2010
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St.
Paul &
the Early Church
Study Tour in Turkey
hosted
by:
Dr. Kevin Anderson
&
Dr. Melanie Kierstead |
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Walk in
the steps of the Apostles Paul and John, visit places where Church
Fathers fashioned our Christian creeds, and explore the rich history
and cultures of a land like no other, where East meets West...
Turkey!
DAY
1: (Monday, May 10) DEPART USA to ANKARA
Today we embark on our
Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with
an overnight flight to Turkey. Prepare yourself for a life-changing
experience. Get some rest on the flight…
DAY
2: (Tuesday,
May 11) ARRIVE CAPPADOCIA
Arrive, transfer to our hotel and get some rest.
Tomorrow you will be walking where the
apostles walked! (Nevshehir, 2 nights)
DAY
3: (Wednesday,
May 12) CAPPADOCIA
We spend all day exploring the history and scenery of Cappadocia. First off, we’ll visit the gently folding volcanic rock
formations and “fairy chimneys” of Goreme Open Air Museum. These
rock formations are not only beautiful, but functional as well. Many
early Christian communities lived and worshipped deep in the rocks
and crags, leaving their frescoes and paintings to be marveled at
centuries later. Other communities lived underground, and we’ll
visit these dwellings too. To protect themselves from Roman
persecution and marauding bandits, local people began to live in
underground caves forming “cities” that reach a depth of up to 7
stories below the surface. Other sites include the Natural Citadel
of Uchisar,
Çavuşin, where we also see a Selçuk period mosque and the small, picturesque village of Avanos – famous for
their red clay pottery. In Avanos we’ll visit “The Potter’s Place:
Gift Shoppe and Cultural Center” and have time for visiting local
potter for a demonstration and maybe try your own hand at the
potter’s wheel. This evening we will view a Whirling Dervish
performance.
DAY
4: (Thursday,
May 13) LYSTRA / KONYA
Traveling westward, we stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai just like
travelers from Turkey’s bygone era. Founded for military and trade
purposes, the Caravanserai’s Inn was built in 1228 and reflects the
Selçuk style of architecture. We will
have lunch near Konya, followed by a visit to the Mevlana Mosque.
Mevlana is the founder of the Mystic sect of the spectral
Whirling Dervishes. We’ll have an opportunity to learn more about
this mysterious order. There will also be
an afternoon visit to Lystra, where Paul preached on his first
missionary journey (Acts 14:6-22). Our lodging this evening will be in Konya (ancient
Iconium)
included in Paul's first
missionary journey. Nearly two thousand years ago, Paul and
Barnabas visited Iconium during Paul’s first missionary journey. As
he preached to the city, God used Paul to bring many Jews and
Gentiles to Christ (Acts 14: 1-6). (Konya, 1 night)
DAY
5: (Friday,
May 14) KONYA / PSIDION ANTIOCH / ANTALYA
This morning our tour takes us into the scenic
mountain region to visit
Pisidian Antioch – an important stop on Paul’s first
missionary journey. Although only 10% of has been excavated, the
ruins from the Roman period are noteworthy along with the scenery in
general. We’ll see Septimus Severus’ triumphal gate, Augustus’
Temple, the Roman baths, a theater, synagogue, and a church
dedicated to Paul. Our route this afternoon through the
coastal mountains will bring new understanding of the rugged
terrain that Paul traveled on his missionary journeys. Our lodging this evening will be in the bustling, palm-lined streets of
Antalya. (Antalya,
2 nights)
DAY
6: (Saturday,
May 15) ANTALYA / PERGE / BOAT TOUR & SWIM
Founded on the “Turquoise Coast” of
the Mediterranean, Antalya has boasted a mild climate and beautiful
beaches and harbors for centuries. In fact, Paul and Barnabas
sailed from Antalya harbor in the 1st Century on the
first missionary journey. Evidences of the ancient harbor are
visible on our morning walking tour.
Considerable stretches of the Hellenistic and
Roman town walls on the east side of the Old Town of Antalya have
been preserved, sometimes incorporating later building. The most
notable part is the well-preserved Hadrian's Gate, erected in honor
of the Emperor Hadrian on the occasion of his visit to the town in
A.D. 130. Next, we travel to the impressive
excavations in the nearby town of
Perge.
It was in Perge that John Mark decided to part company with Paul and
Barnabas, while they continued on their missionary journey.
Ruins of the city’s streets, baths, gates, and theater are still
visible.
Later this afternoon we enjoy a private boat
ride
out of Antalya harbor on
the Mediterranean, viewing scenic cliffs, waterfalls and time for
swimming off the boat.
DAY 7: (Sunday,
May 16)
MYRA / PATARA / FETHIYE
After breakfast, we’ll depart Antalya
for a leisurely trip along the beautiful coastline to Demre (ancient
Myra) to visit the 11th Century Church of St.
Nicholas. The church was built to commemorate an early Christian
bishop who was present at the First Ecumenical Council and
eventually became known as Santa Claus. It is interesting to hear
our guide speak of how time has turned this early church father into
a mythical hero. To view the red and white statue of Santa Claus
standing in the square, see the Muslim vendors peddling statues
(idols to their thinking), and hear the call to prayer from the
nearby mosque is strangely bizarre. In Myra we will also visit the
port where Paul and Luke changed ships en route to Rome. As the Myra
of today is the sailing center of the Anatolia region, It is very
interesting to see the many wooden boats lined up as it would have
been in Paul's day. We’ll also visit the picturesque and fascinating
rock tombs cut into the cliff above the theater. These tombs, some
with paintings, shows us what typical life might have been like in
ancient Myra. Later this afternoon we stop at the area known to be
the port of Patara, where Paul changed ships en route to Rome on his
final voyage. (Fethiye 1 night)
DAY 8: (Monday,
May 17) EUROMOS / DIDYMA / KU ŞADASI
This morning we’ll start the day off by traveling northward through
the coastal hills where we stop at the very well preserved Temple of
Zeus in Euromos. A rest stop will be made along the shore of
Bafa Lake en route to the nearby towns of
Miletus and
Didyma where we will see the Temple of Apollo. Miletus was a proud
and important coastal city of its day and was visited by Paul during
his missionary journeys. It was here that he said goodbye to his
friends. Didyma was a close-by pagan worship center for the people
of Miletus. With the rise and spread of Christianity, eventually,
Christian chapels were founded in Dydima – which were later
destroyed by Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate. (Kuşadasi 2 nights)
DAY 9: (Tuesday,
May 18) EPHESUS
We begin the day with a visit to the Church of St. John for a tour
and a scenic overview of the surrounding area. From here our guide
will point out the location of the ancient harbor of Ephesus and
describe the silting process that led to the demise of this
important Roman city. Of special interest is the tomb of John and
the baptismal where new believers were immersed. We will also be
able to view the site of the ancient wonder - the Temple of Artemis
and the nearby Mosque of Jesus (Jesus is a respected prophet to
Muslims). This afternoon we’ll
view a wealth of artifacts awaiting us
at the Museum of Ephesus and visit the
archeological site of biblical
Ephesus, which hosts a large
restoration effort and miles of ancient treasures. Ephesus was once
a thriving port town of 250,000 people. Today you can still see the
spectacular excavations of the major streets in this ancient city
where we view the Library of Celsus, the agora, theater, colorful mosaics, a
panoramic view of the surrounding ancient port area including a
wealth of church history and cultural insight.
The day will not
be complete without a visit to a local Turkish Rug cooperative for a
description of the silk harvesting and rug making process.
DAY 10: (Wednesday,
May 19 ) PERGAMON / ASCLEPIEION / TROAS / ASSOS
This morning we travel to Pergamon.
Once a busy trading center and famous as a "seller of purple," the
most favored of the Seven Churches, the church of
Pergamum was praised for its forbearance (Rev. 2:12-17).
It was here that the first Christians were executed by Rome. We'll
visit the fabled Acropolis, pass through the Royal Gates, view the
foundations of the Temple of Zeus and visit the ruins of the
library, which once held 200,000 volumes.
We also
visit Asclepieion which was a sanctuary and a healing center built in
the name of the god of healing, Asclepius. We continue our
sightseeing in Alexandria Troas, which was once a city with tall
buildings and a major port on the Aegean. The city was visited twice
by Paul on his second journey. Paul had wanted to go to north into
Bithynia, but instead he and his companion Timothy were deflected to
the Aegean coast. In the night, a Macedonian appeared to Paul
calling him to cross the Aegean to Neapolis and Philippi. This is
noted as the inspiration and beginning of the spread of Christianity
into Europe. (Assos 1 night)
DAY 11: (Thursday,
May 20) ASSOS / TROY / CANAKKALE / ISTANBUL
In
the morning we visit Assos where you can see Temple of Athena,
marketplace, city walls dating from the time of Hermias and Aristotle.
St. Paul passed through Assos on his way between Alexandria Troas and
Miletus at the end of his third missionary journey. From Assos he sent
a message back to carpus in Alexandria Troas asking him to forward his
cloak and notebooks. His friends had taken a boat from Alexandria
Troas while Paul travelled overland. He met them in Assos from where
they sailed together to Mytilene. Next we drive to Troy, the immortal
city of the legendary of Troy and Trojan horse.
This afternoon our bus boards a large
ferry for the scenic crossing of the
Dardanelles to "Thrace," the European portion of
Turkey.
Views of the
bunkers on the hillside and the ocean-going vessels provide vivid
commentary on the major British losses
and
World War I defeat in the Dardanelles Strait. Sea of Marmara with
thousands of summer homes will provide the scenery as we travel
to Istanbul. (Istanbul 2 nights)
DAY 12: (Friday,
May 21) ISTANBUL / CONSTANTINOPLE
We begin our sightseeing with a visit
to the Church of St. Savior in Chora. The Chora Church is considered
to be one of the most beautiful examples of a Byzantine church. In
the 16th century, the church was converted into a mosque by the
Ottoman rulers, and it became a secularized museum in 1948. The
interior of the building is covered with fine mosaics and frescoes.
Free time will be allowed at the waterfront area by the famous Spice
Market for an experience that you will not want to miss.
This afternoon we vist the famed
Blue Mosque, a walking tour including the Hippodrome, Obelisk and
St. Sophia Church.
Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey is a thriving seaport and
commerce center with a marvelous Bazaar allowing for a perfect
opportunity to pick up those last minute souvenirs and gift items.
DAY 13: (Saturday,
May 22) ISTANBUL to USA
Depart for our return flight
to the US.
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Three (3) hours of academic
credit in one of the following courses:
NT 100: Understanding the New
Testament (fulfills NT requirement in the general education
core)
NT 393 Seminar: St. Paul and the
Early Church in Turkey
Fulfills Asbury College's cross-cultural requirement.
Tour
Price Includes:
Four star hotels, breakfast and
dinner daily, modern motor coach, expert guide, admissions and
sightseeing as shown in the itinerary, RT ground
transportation to the Lexington airport, RT airfare
out of Lexington, air taxes and fuel charges (currently $298,
subject to change), baggage handling (1 large bag per
passenger), gratuities to guide and driver.
Not included:
Lunches, drinks during meals (table water will be
provided), increase in air fuel surcharges, Turkish Visa
($30), required
International Student ID Card ($22), cost of passport,
immunizations, and required textbooks.
Payment:
“Early bird” reservation of $500:
November 30, 2009.
$1,588 (50% ) due: January 15, 2010.
$3,175 (100%) due: March 1, 2010. |
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