Mariners Church
GREECE 12 DAYS
Including a 3 Day Cruise of the Greek Isles
October 4 - 15, 2012
$4,439 from Los Angeles
2012 Tour
October 4 - 15
We'd love to have you travel with us!
We'd love to have you travel with us!
Dear Friends
Have you ever imagined what it must have been like to walk where the Apostle Paul built churches and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ? Cruise the cool blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, climb the hill to the Parthenon in Athens, or stand in the marketplace where Paul preached the gospel in Philippi?
Our Senior Pastor, Kenton Beshore put together a one of a kind tour of Israel over 15 years ago and now we are offering a similar life changing trip to Greece. We’d like to invite you to take this journey and allow the Word of God to come alive in cities like Thessaloniki, Philippi, Berea Athens, Corinth, Mykonos, Ephesus, and Patmos. . It’s one of the most unique and amazing experiences that enriches our faith, deepens our understanding of our Christian roots and explores the cultural foundations of the land where the church took root and launched around the world.
Dr. David L. Sparks and his wife Elizabeth are absolutely gifted to lead our Greece tour and to give a detailed and powerful cultural and historical view of our faith that spread throughout Europe. As pastors of Mariners Church our passion and work will be to create defining moments in the trip that will challenge the way you live, clarify your calling, and inspire you to identify and walk into your God given kingdom work.
We hope you will consider this awesome opportunity,
Eric C. Heard
Men’s Pastor
Mariners Church
Shelly Juskiewicz
Women’s Pastor
Mariners Church
Click on any of the pictures below to view larger
Day 1 and 2
Departure and Arrival
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on our international flight. We are met in Thessaloniki and transferred to our hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Day 3
Veria and Vergina
Today begins with an orientation to Greek culture and our first day of touring. When Paul arrived in Veria (Berea), he went immediately to the Jewish synagogue and shared the message of the Messiah with them, proving that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. We visit the traditional rostrum where Paul delivered his sermons, and the remnants of the Jewish quarter housing the synagogue.
Then we are off to Vergina, one of the most fascinating sites of recent discovery. In the mid-seventies, the tomb of Philippi II, father of Alexander the Great, was discovered containing silver vessels and golden crowns. The Royal tombs also house one of the few remaining paintings from the Macedonian period. In the afternoon we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4
Philippi and Neapolis (modern day Kavala)
Today we continue our journey in the footsteps of Paul and his companions, Silas, Timothy, and Luke. On our way to Philippi we will pass through Apollonia and Amphipolis. In Philippi, we make our way to the riverside and spend a few moments recalling Paul’s words to Lydia whose heart was opened to the Gospel. It was in this stream that Paul baptized her and welcomed her into the Christian community. In the baptistery dedicated to Lydia we join in singing praises as we are thrilled by the marvelous acoustics of the shrine.
Following lunch, we make our way to the ancient city of Philippi, walking through the forum, seeing two major basilicas and a Roman theater. We pause at the prison cell of Paul and Silas and recall their words of salvation. Then we travel to the port city of Neapolis (Kavala), Greece's most picturesque mainland port. Paul arrived at this port when landing in Greece. Here we see a modern mosaic depicting Paul's vision and arrival at Neapolis before returning to our hotel and dinner.
Day 5
Thessaloniki
The New Testament books to the Thessalonians are Paul's letters to this community of first century Christians. In Thessaloniki we see the old city ramparts, the landmark White Tower proudly adorning the harbor, and the Arch of Galerius that rises over the Via Egnatia. We visit the most beautiful basilica in the city, the church of St. Demetrius, dedicated to a Roman military officer who was martyred for his faith in Christ by Emperor Galerius. As part of our appreciation of modern Greece, we visit the bustling open air market with its wide variety of Greek olives and feta chesses. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6
Athens
The architectural splendors of this ancient city are magnificent. We make our way to the world-renown Acropolis with its Propylaea entrance. As we stand before the Parthenon we can still hear the hammers striking stones of marble as reconstruction continues to maintain the wonder of this monument to man’s achievement. We also visit the Acropolis Museum and the Erectheum before descending to the Areopagus (Mar's Hill) and read the sermon that Paul addressed to the Athenians of his day. From there we stroll through the Agora (ancient market place and center of Athenian public life).
During the day we also see the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Palace along with the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch and the Panathenic Stadium. Overnight in Athens.
Day 7
Athens - Free Day
Enjoy this free day by ambling through the historical district of the Plaka, noted for its shops, cafes, taverns, and colorful people. Explore one of the many museums of Athens. Relax and soak up the sites and sounds. Remember that today is the only day you need to buy your own lunch. We gather together for a taverna dinner!
Day 8
Corinth and Canal
On our way to Corinth, we visit the isthmus that boasted two major ports and controlled the flow of goods in ancient times, one reason that Corinth became the leading commercial city of the Greek mainland. Paul spent a year and half in this community and later wrote letters to them, the first of which contains his chapter on love. We visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema and Temples. We celebrate communion among the ruins of this great city.
3 DAY CRUISE
This cruise provides a perfect introduction to the Aegean. In the four days following the land tour, we cruise through the most beautiful waters in the world to enchanting destinations. Stroll along the marble streets of Ephesus; walk through the medieval city of Rhodes where the Crusaders gathered before sailing to the Holy Land; visit the grotto of St. John on the isle of Patmos where he wrote his apocalyptic "Revelations." The history of each of our ports-of-call is rivaled only by their natural beauty.
Day 9
Mykonos
On Mykonos we find beautiful beaches, chic boutiques, and elegant nightclubs. Beneath its sophisticated surface lies a quite essential Greek island. Hundreds of tiny chapels dot this blue and white-washed island with its beautiful windmills. Find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of sunset over its picturesque harbor.
Day 10
Ephesus, Turkey and Patmos, Greece
A tour to nearby Ephesus should not be missed for here history truly comes to life. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted by the wheels of countless chariots, we pass architectural masterpieces such as the Library of Celsus before arriving at the Great Amphitheater where the Ephesians shouted their praises to Artemis in reaction to the Gospel proclamation of Paul.
This island is known as the site of the apocalyptic Revelations of John written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he lived is now an Orthodox chapel that captures a glimpse of the vision of the heavens. We sing songs of worship as we remember the great words of the heavenly chorus, "Hallelujah!"
Day 11
Santorini
The island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. The town of Fira boasts beautiful white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air cafes and glittering boutiques clinging to steep cliffs. Lying on the upper rim of a dormant volcano, Fira is only accessible by either cable car or mule ride.
Day 12
Piraeus (Athens)
Board our bus for transfer to airport and return trip to USA. Return with wonderful memories!
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