In the Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece with Deacon Greg Kandra

Tonight we depart on an overnight flight to Makedonia 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.

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 they wait for the second coming of Christ. While in Thessaloniki, we see a number of ancient artifacts, such as the triumphal Arch of Galerius, which is 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 originally 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. Mass 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, 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, which was once the ancient Neapolis. This port is where Saint Paul, Silas, Luke and Timothy landed when they sailed into Europe. Mass will be celebrated. After enjoying this city by the sea, return to Thessaloniki for a delicious meal and restful overnight. (B.D)

After breakfast, we visit Meteora Monasteries. In the eleventh century, monks settled in caves. As the Turkish occupation increased, the monks were forced to move their settlements higher upon the rocks until they were unreachable by the invading enemy. The cave settlers built beautiful Monasteries by bringing building and living materials by ladders and baskets. The Meteora Monasteries are notorious for preserving not only the Hellenic religion but also their academics and arts. During our visit, we view stunning Byzantine art and the breathtaking scenery surrounding the Monastery. In the afternoon, we visit an icon workshop in the area, where we see how icons are made. (To reach the monasteries, we will need to walk over uneven terrain and up many stairs.) Mass will be celebrated. Enjoy a wonderful meal and a relaxing overnight in Kalambaka this evening. (B.D)

Following breakfast, we drive to Delphi, the center of the ancient world, the navel of the earth, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. Visit the site and the museum before continuing to the ancient Greek Monastery of Ossios Loukas, famous for its beautiful frescoes and icons. “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription ‘to an unknown God.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you…” Athens is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it today. Mass will be celebrated. We arrive in Athens late in the day, settle into the hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight. (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. Mass 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 of where the Virgin Mary spent her last days following Christ’s crucifixion. Mass 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. Some of the sites include 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 that had a capacity of 25,000 people and 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 for a visit to the monastery of Saint John the Theologian. 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 that contains 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 Revelations was written. The silver niches in the wall mark the pillow and ledge that were 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)

This morning, we explore the island of Crete, Heraklion. While in this administrative capital, we visit the ancient ruins of the Palace of Knossos. These ruins were discovered in 1899. 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 of where Saint Paul met the owner and captain of the ship, who warned him to continue his journey to spread Christianity in Rome. The next stop is the idyllic island of Santorini, the most breathtaking island of all of the Greek Islands. Upon arrival in Santorini,we visit Thira with its iconic white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes, and glittering boutiques that cling to steep cliffs. We celebrate Mass in Thira. This evening, we return to the ship for our last dinner on board and overnight on our cruise. (B.L.D.)

This morning, we disembark from the ship 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 the way that 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 have the opportunity to 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. Mass will be celebrated. Following our visit to Corinth and an included lunch, we return to Athens for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D)

After a nice breakfast at the hotel, we celebrate Mass and have a tour of one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens! Visit the rock that has dominated the panorama of Athens for twenty-five centuries, the Acropolis. At the Acropolis, see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum, and Propylene. 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 proceed for a 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, as well as the National Library of Greece that 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 to explore Athens on your 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.)