Day 3 – Monday, October 6:, Kavala, Philippi, Amphipolis, Thessaloniki
Today was our first full day here in Greece. The weather was overcast, with spotty light showers in there morning. A steadier light rain fell while at Philippi, but the rain stopped towards the end of the day. High temps were in the low 60s. We left the hotel shortly at 7:45 a.m. following a great breakfast. We read from portions of Philippians 1 through 4 as we headed north and east for the day.
Kavala/Neopolis
We drove north and east on one of Greece’s very nice highways. Following a brief restroom stop, and continued north to Neopolis in Paul’s day (Kavala today). Paul sailed into this port following his Macedonian vision at Troas (Acts 16). We all walked in the Via Egnatia, and ancient road that Paul would have used between Nepalis and Philippi. Today, only the Byzantine (and later Turkish-Ottoman) aqueduct and fortress can been seen archaeologically. Outside a Greek Orthodox Church a modern monument is erected honoring Paul’s journey here. We also saw the tall-standing aqueduct before landing back on the bus.
Philippi
We drove about 10 miles to the site of Philippi. First, we visited the Zygaktes River located outside the city. It was somewhere along here where Lydia (from Thyatira) heard and received the kingdom message of Christ from Paul and Silas (Acts 16). She and her household also received Christ and were baptized. Paul also confronted a Pythia, or fortune teller. She may have been one who gave oracles at Delphi (we will visit this site in two days).
We drove a short distance to the archaeological site of Philippi. Following a tasty lunch we visited the ruins of the city connected with Paul. We saw the theater, the Late Roman basilicas, the forum (marketplace), and the Praetorium – Bouleuteriun (judgement hall, the most likely place of Paul and Silas’ imprisonment). We read from Acts 16 about God’s miraculous intervention on behalf of Paul and Silas. The jailor placed his faith in Christ that night too. The so-called “traditional “ prison of Paul is a later 2nd century structure and used as a cistern. This was another example of the difference Paul made for the kingdom of God! He was bold in sharing his faith.
“Today was our first full day, and already the connections with the Apostle Paul and his mission journeys have come to life! From walking in his footsteps, to picturing him in the jail at Philippi, to understanding his challenges in Thessaloniki, the day has allowed us to picture it happening!”
Amphipolis
Leaving Philippi, we began our drive back to Thessaloniki. On the way we stopped at Amphipolis. The city was established in the 4th century BC and was visited (or at least past) by Paul (Acts 17). We saw the famous lion statue here from the 4th century BC.
Downtown Thessaloniki
From continued our drive back to Thessaloniki. Before we arrived back at the hotel, we drove to the Roman Forum (Agora, marketplace) in the heart of the city. This was the marketplace mentioned in Acts 17 where Paul was. The text mentions a man named Jason who helped Paul and Silas. The text also mentioned the “city officials” (in Greek, Politarchs, as found on an inscription discovered here from the 2nd century AD). We also remembered certain believers mentioned by name (Aristarchus and Secundus) who were from this city (Acts 20:4, Romans 16). They served as later companion travelers with Paul. About one block away we made a brief stop to the Church of St. Demetrius. This was an ancient church dedicated after Demetrius, a martyr who died in 303 AD. Today this well-used Greek Orthodox Church is a landmark in the city.
We returned to our hotel nearby for dinner and a good night’s rest. We leave Thessaloniki tomorrow morning.
Day 4 – Tuesday, October 7: Thessaloniki, Berea, Vergina, Meteora, Kalambaka
