12 2020 DAYS Journey of St Paul The Acts of the Apostles come alive as we join St Paul and his companions in the places of his Second Missionary Journey and rediscover the faith and struggles of the early Christian communities. Rekindle our passion for the Gospels as we capture afresh the fervour and spirit of the Church’s greatest Evangelist.

COMMENCES TUE 18TH MAY 2020 • 11 NIGHTS / 12 DAYS Istanbul & Gallipoli Pre-Tour Option. Athens (2) • Epidaurus • Corinth (1) • Fr Francis Denton Hosios Loukas • Meteora (2) • Berea • Kavala (1) • Philippi • Thessaloniki (1) • Aegean Cruise (4): Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini.

PREVIOUSLY: ST PAUL & THE EARLY CHURCH EPHESUS

HOUSE OF THE VIRGIN MARY

DAY 1: MON 18 MAY 2020 - ARRIVE ATHENS sail for Syria after making a personal vow and Optional 3-Night Istanbul & Gallipoli Pre-tour. Athens today is the thriving capital of Greece, shaving his head. (Acts 18:18) Athens (2) • Epidaurus • Corinth (1) • Hosios but, more importantly, we have entered into the Mass Setting: Outdoors in Ancient Corinth. Loukas • Meteora (2) • Berea • Kavala (1) • world of the New Testament where St Paul and Philippi • Thessaloniki (1) • Aegean Cruise Corinth overnight (BD) his companions established the first Christian (4): Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes, communities throughout his four missionary DAY 4: THU 21 MAY - VIA HOSIOS LOUKAS TO Crete, Santorini. journeys. METEORA Option 3-Night St Paul in Malta Post-tour. Athens overnight (D) We travel north today to spend time at the remarkable Byzantine Monastery of Hosios DAY 2: TUE 19 MAY - ATHENS Loukas, built in the 10th century on the slopes pilgrim highlights The Athenians - Paul came to teach the of Mt Helikon and overlooking a picturesque philosophers that there is in fact a God who is real valley teeming with olive trees. In 1990 UNESCO and can be known! included this site on their World Heritage List. On Visit several sites of St Paul’s Second + We begin our pilgrimage with a tour of Christian arrival we will celebrate an outdoor Mass here Missionary Journey through land and Athens including the Acropolis, the Areopagus in the grounds of the walled Monastery before sea along the pages of Acts chapters and the Ancient Agora, where Paul preached being taken on a guided tour of the Churches, 16-18. about Jesus and the resurrection. crypt and surrounds where we admire the + Stand in the very places of St Paul’s Later we will come to the New Acropolis amazing frescoes and mosaics with their preaching and prayerfully explore the Museum with its celebrated exhibition of Greek characteristic gold background dating back to the preserved ruins of Ancient Corinth, antiquities and statues which vividly illustrate the 11th Century . Philippi and Thessaloniki. myriad of pagan Gods Paul was battling against. We continue north this afternoon to the small + Marvel at the living Byzantine After a rest back at our hotel we will enter the town of Kalambaka built at the foot of the Monasteries of Meteora spectacularly lively Plaka district to dine this evening at a typical majestic grey rocks of Meteora. suspended atop rocky pinnacles and Greek Taverna with live Athenian music and Mass Setting: Hosias Loukas Monastery. still occupied by hermits since the 11th atmosphere. Kalambaka overnight (BD) century. Mass Setting: St Denis Cathedral. Athens overnight (BD) + Spiritually themed focus on the trials “It just brought scripture alive to me. and triumphs of Paul & the various DAY 3: WED 20 MAY - CORINTH I’m not a holy roller but I could sit there people groups and communities of the The Corinthians - It was here the Lord spoke to Paul and really appreciate the scriptures, early church. and told him to ‘speak … no one will attack you’ (Acts more than I’d ever done in my life!” + An intriguing stay in Corinth beside the 18:9-10); many were baptized and came to believe. — Helen Dingle ancient port of Cenchreae where St Set out towards Corinth today as we firstly Paul embarked frequently on Mission. come to the world renowned Olive Grove of the Nikolaou Family dating back to 1833. Learn more DAY 5: FRI 22 MAY - METEORA EXPLORATION Enjoy a breathtaking 3-night Aegean + about the ancient tradition of olive oil production The Monastics - The Meteora monasteries were cruise through the idyllic beauty of the techniques going back centuries. inspired by the monks’ love of God and a life striving Greek islands in the footsteps of St Onwards to the great ancient outdoor theatre to become open to the Fathers heart through Paul. of Epidaurus where we will marvel at the monastic life and asceticism. + Explore the wonders of Ephesus where architectural symmetry of this 4th Century BC We spend some time today marveling at St Paul lived and preached for more structure built by the architect Polykleitos. this unique phenomenon of nature – 24 than three years. Enjoy our afternoon exploring Ancient Corinth, perpendicular rocks where 600 years ago where Paul lived for two years as a tentmaker. Byzantine monks chose to worship God and build Visit here the ancient ruins and see the site where their cave-like Monastic community of Meteora. SYMBOLS he preached the Gospel from the Rostrum. See We will visit some of these living monasteries (B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner the Peirene fountain, and the 6th century BC by foot and view the extraordinary collection of Temple of Apollo before an outdoor Mass in this priceless religious frescoes and other treasures = Time Out - Planned site for extended stunning pilgrimage setting. that will certainly make this a remarkable day. opportunity for prayer & reflection We retire this afternoon to our hotel adjacent to Enjoy some free time this afternoon. the ancient Port of Cenchreae where St Paul set Mass Setting: Kalambaka. Philippi 1 Kavala 2 Amphipolis I Berea 1 T Gallipoli 1 Canakkale PreTour Option 2 M

Hosios Loukas

C 1 2 A Ephesus Cenchreae Epidaurus Mykonos Patmos

Santorini Rhodes

Crete

Post Tour Malta Option METEORA

Kalambaka overnight (BD) father of Alexander the Great. It was here that St missionary journey. It was to the Christian Paul won his first European convert, a woman community of Ephesus that St Paul wrote DAY 6: SAT 23 MAY - VIA BEREA TO KAVALA named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:12- his greatest and most challenging letter (the The Bereans - The Jews ‘received the message with 40). Visit the Baptistery of Lydia for a beautiful epistle to the Ephesians) and also succeeded in great eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily outdoor Mass in this breathtaking oasis on the converting many away from worship of the god to study the merits of all Paul had preached to River Zygaktis, and to renew our Baptismal vows. Artemis. them.’ (Acts 17:11) Visit the marketplace (where St Paul and St Silas Our visit today will include the ruins where St Today we journey north by coach to Berea were brought before the rulers) and the cistern Paul lived and preached. See the prison of St (modern Veria). The “Bema” - an impressive which tradition identifies as the place where St Paul; walk through the ancient marble streets monument to Paul - is believed to incorporate Paul was imprisoned . In the ancient theatre we founded in the 10th century BC and see this the steps from the original synagogue from will hear the story of Paul’s arrest, imprisonment most ‘complete’ Roman city providing us with an which he preached the gospel to the Jews, who and miraculous release. excellent window into Imperial Rome. Pass the welcomed the word of God and began to study We depart Philippi and journey east along the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, and the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-12). ancient route of the Apostle Paul via Amphipolis the enormous amphitheatre (Acts 19:29-31), A small church was established here and we (Acts 17:1) where we view the ruins of many culminating at the House of the Virgin Mary will also view the ‘hidden churches’, a collection Christian basilicas. where it is said Mary spent the later years of her of about 20 Byzantine structures, camouflaged life. Mass Setting: Outdoors at Baptistry of Lydia. in the form of barns from the invading Ottoman Our excursion will culminate at the Covered Thessaloniki overnight (BD) Turks. Bazaar of Kusadasi with some free time for The Thessalonians - St Paul preached during the shopping and…bargaining! winters of 49-50AD and wrote the two epistles to the “My respect for St Paul was enhanced We re-board our ship in the afternoon and ancient Thessalonians. by his dogged determination and belief continue on to the Dodecanese island of Patmos, Our time this afternoon in Thessaloniki will include in what he was preaching. He was a where St John wrote the Book of Revelation. the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of smart … determined man.” The Patmosians - During his time on what is now Galerius, as well as the Rotunda where we can — Ian Ronchi called the ‘Holy Island of Patmos’, St John wrote see pieces of the pulpit from which Paul preached. the book of Revelations and composed the Fourth View the Roman Agora where he also preached. Gospel as a very old man. DAY 8: MON 25 MAY - EMBARK GREEK ISLAND Nearby we shall visit St Demetrios’ Church Shore Excursion: Patmos PILGRIMAGE CRUISE - MYKONOS dedicated to a Roman soldier who converted We come to the village of Chora, the traditional Today we fly back to Athens and are transferred to Christianity and was later martyred. View its settlement and capital of Patmos, where the valuable mosaics and frescoes before descending to the Piraeus port to board our 4-night Aegean narrow streets were designed to ward off pirates into the crypt where we find the remains of some cruise! We then sail to the quaint isle of Mykonos, over the centuries. Ascend to the Monastery of ancient Roman baths and streets. as we explore the charming walkways and shops St John the Beloved, a huge fortress-like building Finally travel along the ancient route of the through a maze of white-washed buildings. dating from the 11th century, for a visit. Our Apostle Paul to the port city of Kavala (ancient Overnight onboard cruise ship (BLD) exploration of this living monastery will culminate Neapolis), once named “Christoupolis” after being DAY 9: TUE 26 MAY - CRUISE SHIP - EPHESUS & with time in the actual Cave of Revelation where the first European city to accept Christianity. It PATMOS God chose to reveal to St John the mysteries of was here that St Paul, St Timothy and St Silas the last book of the Bible - the Apocalypse. The The Ephesians - This first Christian community was first landed from Troas (Acts 16:11), one of cave is now at the foot of the monastery, which established by St John and developed by St Paul the foundational moments in the history of houses priceless icons and manuscripts, sacred through his fervent preaching over a 3 ½ year stay, Christianity. relics, vestments embroiled with silver or gold during which he wrote his letter to the Ephesians. Mass Setting: Thessaloniki. threads and bejeweled with precious stones. This morning we arrive into the Turkish port city Overnight onboard cruise ship (BLD) Kavala overnight (BD) of Kusadasi, doorway to Ephesus. DAY 7: SUN 24 MAY - VIA PHILIPPI TO Shore Excursion: Ancient Ephesus & House of DAY 10: WED 27 MAY - CRUISE SHIP - RHODES THESSALONIKI the Virgin Mary Today we come to the Island of Rhodes, where The Philippians - Here Paul founded the first Our excursion today will include Ephesus, St Paul came during his third missionary journey European church in Philippi and Lydia was baptised the most famous of the Seven Churches of (Acts 21:1). We enter the port, which was once dominated by the Colossus, one of the seven as the first European convert to Christianity. Revelation (Rev 2:1-7) where St Paul spent Journey out to Philippi, named after Philip II, more than two years in the course of his third CONTINUED  ST PAUL’S BAY, FROM LINDOS PRE ST PAUL TOUR OPTION ISTANBUL & GALLIPOLI 3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS

DAY 1: FRI 15 MAY - ARRIVE TURKEY Arrive into Istanbul – a glorious city uniquely positioned on two continents. Istanbul overnight (D) DAY 2: SAT 16 MAY - ISTANBUL EXPLORATION Full day tour including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia (meaning ‘Holy Wisdom’ and once an wonders of the ancient world. early Christian church); onwards to Topkapi Palace. City cruise on the Bosphorus with Shore Excursion: Rhodes & Lindos majestic views of Ottoman Palaces, Byzantine Lindos is situated 55 km from the city of Rhodes fortresses, Beylerbeyi Palace and Suleimans and “bears” above it the Acropolis of Lindos, with Mosque. the ancient Temple of Athena, built in 300 BC. Our afternoon will include a visit to the Here and there you will come across the spectacular Grand Bazaar, with over 4000 captains’ mansions, built between the 16th and shops in the one market place. 18th century. In the centre of the village lives Istanbul overnight (BD) and breathes the Church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) of Lindos, with frescoes from the 15th DAY 3: SUN 17 MAY - VIA ANZAC COVE TO century . CANAKKALE From here we can see St Paul’s Bay where the Departing Istanbul we travel west to the Apostle landed during a storm. Gallipoli Peninsula where 7594 Australian and 2431 New Zealand soldiers lost their lives in Overnight onboard cruise ship (BLD) battle during World War I. DAY 11: THU 28 MAY - CRUISE SHIP - CRETE & We tour the relevant landmarks here this SANTORINI afternoon at Anzac Cove including the Lone The Cretans - St Paul visited Crete following his first Pine Cemetery where we will celebrate Mass. imprisonment in early 63AD. He left Titus on the We come in faith to pay tribute and pray for the island to assist maturing the Church, some of whose souls of the heroes of those tragic months of members were the first to be in Jerusalem on the 1915. day of Pentecost (Acts 2:11). Canakkale overnight (BD) PILGRIMAGE DETAILS This morning we arrive in Heraklion, Crete, with DAY 4: MON 18 MAY - CANAKKALE TO GREECE time to wander or choose from a guided shore TOUR CODE SP0120 Enjoy a restful morning in the ancient seaport excursion on offer. of Canakkale overlooking the Dardanelles STARTS Mon 18 May 2020 Athens In the afternoon, we cruise to the isle of waterway at their narrowest point of entry. Santorini, often referred to as the most FINISHES Fri 29 May 2020 Athens Return to Istanbul airport this afternoon for our breathtaking of all the Greek islands. We may onward flight to Greece. (B) disembark here and admire the exquisite LAND COST $4,890 (twin share) * whitewashed villages. Optional shore excursion. PRICES 2020 2021* Overnight onboard cruise ship (BLD) AIR & LAND from $6,780

† COST ADD-ON † DAY 12: FRI 29 MAY - END CRUISE - DEPART SINGLE ROOM $1,050 Supplement + Cruise TBA $1,390 $1,490 twin share GREECE (B) SINGLE ROOM PREPAID TIPS $14 per person / per day $350 $390 supplement Cruise Gratuities & Port Taxes: PREPAID TIPPING INCLUSIONS EXTRA ADD-ONS $14 $14 $390 Total per person/per day Accommodation & Meals: Based on * Costs have been based on prices as at April 2019 Superior Standard / 4-Star accommodation • † Including Inter-Europe airfare from Istanbul to Athens. and must remain subject to possible change in 11 Dinners / 11 Full Breakfasts the event of significant exchange rate variations, Touring & Transportation: Deluxe Air airfare or tax increases or minimum group size Conditioned Coach touring • Professional OBERAMMERGAU 2020 factors beyond Harvest’s control. Refer to Harvest Local Guides • Sightseeing and Entrance Fees. PASSION PLAY LINK Booking Terms & Conditions for more details. Other: Fully Escorted by Priest Chaplain † Single Berth cabin are strictly limited and at Why not extend your trip • Porterage at hotels • Harvest Backpack, premium supplement, subject to availability at to experience this once in a Pilgrim Journal and Tour Wallet. time of booking. decade spectacle?

BOOK NOW Harvest Journeys harvestjourneys.com/journey-of-st-paul Polding Centre, 11th Floor, [email protected] 133 Liverpool Street Free-Call: 1800 819 156 Sydney NSW 2000 Australia