Walking in the Footsteps of St. Paul Pilgrimage to Greece with Fr. Kevin O'Brien

Tonight, we depart Norfolk on an overnight flight to Thessaloniki Airport. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for add-on airfare from most major airports and upgrades to Business and Premium Economy Class seats are available upon request and can be quoted starting 120 days before departure.

Upon arrival in Thessaloniki, we are greeted by our English-speaking tour guide and assisted to the bus. Thessaloniki was named after Alexander the Great’s sister. In the winter of 49-50 A.D., Saint Paul wrote two epistles to the Thessalonians. These letters urged Christians to “live blamelessly” and to refrain from living idly while waiting for Christ’s second coming. While in Thessaloniki, we see several ancient artifacts, such as the triumphal Arch of Galerius, found at the start of Via Egnatia. Due to its convenient location, this arch was once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. It was initially constructed to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius following the Roman victory over the Persians. We also see the Byzantine Church of Hosios David, the Rotunda of St. George, and its early Christian mosaics. Liturgy will be celebrated. Overnight in Thessaloniki. (Dinner at the hotel)

After breakfast, we start our journey into the Greek countryside, with the first stop of the day in Philippi, the city to which Saint Paul the Apostle delivered his first sermon and where he established the first Christian community in Europe. “And from there (He went) to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained in this city some days...” (Acts 16:12-18). Here, Saint Paul baptized a woman named Lydia, who was the first convert to Christianity in Europe. Visit the Roman Forum, where Saint Paul cast a spirit out of a fortune-telling woman. While here, we have the opportunity to view the prison (now in ruins) where the owner of the fortune-teller threw Saint Paul and Silas. Continue to the modern port city of Kavala, once the ancient Neapolis. This port is where Saint Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy landed when they sailed into Europe. Liturgy will be celebrated. After enjoying this city by the sea, return to Thessaloniki for a delicious meal and restful overnight. (B.D)

Before we leave Thessaloniki, we celebrate Liturgy and see the old city ramparts, including the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, and the Galerius Arch. Then, continue to Berea to view the ancient synagogue where St. Paul spoke, and the Bema is surrounded by mosaics of St. Paul, including the plaque of scripture regarding the “more noble” church. Continue to Naoussa, famous for the Xinomavro wine, a red grape variety. Enjoy a visit and a wine-tasting session at Kir Yiannis Winery (wine tasting is accompanied by Greek cheese). Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka. (B.D)

Following breakfast this morning, we begin with our tour of the Meteora Monasteries. Here, we see the world-famous Byzantine monasteries perched on top of steep gray rock formations. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves. We stop at an icon-making facility to learn about the art of written icons. Later we continue with a visit to the truffle museum, where we learn about truffle hunting in this truffle rich area and enjoy a mushroom product tasting with 5-6 kinds of mushrooms and traditional mushroom spoon sweet accompanied by a glass of local wine. We then stop at a local winery for tastings. We celebrate Liturgy in Athens, followed by dinner and overnight in our comfortable hotel. (B.D)

Following breakfast, we proceed to the Piraeus port to board our 3-day cruise. Our first stop will be the island of Mykonos, the most cosmopolitan of the Greek islands that attract visitors from all over the world. After docking, transfer to Hora, the island’s capital. Upon arrival in Hora, enjoy a walking tour that will take us on the city’s narrow, cobbled streets. Pass by chic boutiques, elegant nightclubs, and white-washed houses to arrive in Alefkandra. This section of Mykonos is known as the “Venice of Mykonos,” as the homes have wooden balconies and are built on the sea. Historically, these homes were of wealthy merchants and captains. Liturgy will be celebrated. Return to the cruise ship for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D)

After breakfast on board, arrive at the lively Turkish port of Kusadasi. Transfer to the small village of Mt. Koressos. While in this village, we visit the small stone chapel that is situated upon the site where the Virgin Mary spent her last days following Christ’s crucifixion. Liturgy will be celebrated on this holy site. We walk through the Magnesian Gate to ancient Ephesus. The walking tour takes us through the most magnificent excavations in the world, including the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan, the Temple of Hadrian and the Latrians, and the Library of Celsus. The last stop on the walking tour is the Great Theatre, the largest ancient theater with a capacity of 25,000 people. It is a site where Saint Paul preached. On the return of our walking tour, we follow the exact route that Mark Anthony and Cleopatra once rode in procession via the Arcadian Way. Our ship sails to the island of Patmos in the afternoon. We disembark and are transferred to the village of Chora to visit the Saint John Theologian monastery. This marvelous structure was built nine hundred years ago and continues to be supported by the walls of a strong fortification. In addition to the stunning main church with outstanding frescoes, we see the beautiful courtyard, dining room, and bakery. Our tour continues to the small museum, where we view priceless ecclesiastical treasures such as books, manuscripts, mosaics, icons, textiles, vestments, and jewelry. Then, board the bus, which takes us to the Monastery and Grotto of the Apocalypse. In this grotto, experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the site where the Book of Revelation was written. The silver niches in the wall mark the pillow and ledge used as a desk by St. John. We see the three-fold crack made by the voice of God, who emphasized the importance of honoring the Holy Trinity. Return to the ship in the late afternoon. (B.L.D)

If you purchased the optional shore excursion onboard this morning, we transfer to the largest city on Crete, Heraklion, where we see the ancient ruins of the Palace of Knossos. These ruins were discovered in 1899, and the palace is partially reconstructed. This ancient palace is believed to have been the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. Additionally, it is the site where Saint Paul met the owner and captain of the ship, who warned him to continue his journey to spread Christianity in Rome. If you chose not to purchase the optional excursion, your time in Crete would be at leisure. The next stop is the idyllic island of Santorini, the most breathtaking island of the Greek Islands. Upon arrival in Santorini, we visit Thira with its iconic whitewashed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques that cling to steep cliffs. We celebrate Liturgy in Thira. This evening, we return to the ship for our last dinner on board and overnight on our cruise. (B.L.D)

We disembark from the ship this morning and are transferred to ancient Corinth. Under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, Saint Paul lived in Corinth for two years. While here, Saint Paul felt great grief over how the Gentile Church in Corinth had become. As a result, he was prompted to write four letters, all with the overarching theme of love. In Corinth, we can view the remains of the first-century shops, the site of Saint Paul’s trial by Gallio, the Fountain of Peirene, and the Temple of Apollo. Liturgy will be celebrated. After our tour in Corinth, we visit an olive oil production farm and Nemea, an area producing one of the famous Greek red wines, Agiorgitiko. Enjoy lunch at the winery with a wine-tasting session. Dinner and overnight in Athens. (B.L.D)

After a nice breakfast at the hotel, we celebrate Liturgy and tour one of the world’s oldest cities, Athens! Visit the rock that has dominated the panorama of Athens for twenty-five centuries, the Acropolis. See the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum, and Propylene at the Acropolis. Ascend Mars Hill, where Saint Paul spoke to the Athenians about the one and only God (Acts 17:22). View the ancient Agora, the former public center of Athenian life. It held the focus of a political, commercial, social, religious, and cultural center. As we are in the former political center, we drive through the city to view the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square. We also have the opportunity to view the University of Athens, the oldest higher education institute in Greece, and the National Library of Greece, which holds 4,500 Greek manuscripts. Then, visit Panathenaic Stadium, the beautifully marbled multi-purpose stadium. It is home to the Olympian Zeus and is the site of the first modern-era Olympics (1896). The rest of the day is at leisure, exploring Athens on our own. Tonight we enjoy a festive farewell dinner with music in the Plaka Section of the city. (B. Special dinner)

This morning we are transferred to Athens airport for our return flight(s) home. (B.)