TURKEYThe HOLY LAND of the Church

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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE APOSTLES AND THE EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

St. Paul & LukeArchitecture LandscapeChurchArtEmpiresSt. John

Hagia Sophia

Cuisine

An InvItAtIon to DIscover turkeyThe Holy Land of the Church By Greg Misiewicz

Where is the Holy Land? The answer seems to be obvious. It is the land where Jesus walked, today enclosed in the State of Israel and Palestinian Territory. All Apostles came from there and the Church was born there. Yet, this Church could not be limited just to one piece of land. Those who believed, brought their faith in Christ outside of Judea, outside of Palestine and to the ends of the earth.

Some of the first people from outside of Palestine who heard about Jesus lived in the region of Anatolia, which comprises present day Turkey. The first Christian communities welcoming non-Jewish origin members were formed here.

A major portion of the New Testament talks about events that took place in Anatolia. St. Paul was born in one of these cities and St. John the Apostle became the leader of the Church in Ephesus – the great city on the western edge of this ancient land. It

is said that the Mother of Jesus was here under his care. For these reasons, Pope Benedict XVI referred to this region as ‘the Holy Land of the Church.’ This land was a birthplace to the Apostles’ successors, theologians, bishops, Christian scholars and saints. These historic figures laid the foundations for Christian doctrine and gave shape to the Church.

In 330 AD, the new Rome started to emerge, named Constantinople after the Emperor Constantine. Due to freedom offered for all religions by Caesar, followers of Christ could practice their faith openly. Soon the Church became a dominating force in the life of society. That was the beginning of the new chapter in Christianity and it echoes still today. Constantinople became the center of Christianity for centuries. The first seven councils of the Church - still undivided - took place here and in the nearby cities of Western Anatolia. Turkey has so much to offer. In addition to serving as ‘the Holy Land of the Church,’ Turkey is sunny, friendly, safe and a very welcoming country. Great landscapes, delicious food, very interesting culture… all waiting to be discovered!

St. Paul. Most of his missions he accomplished in Anatolia, today’s Turkey.

Christian Heritage in Cappadocia, TurkeyBy Daniel E. Doyle

Turkey contains a rich history of Christian heritage, most notably in the region of Cappadocia which in the third century developed as a theological center known throughout the world. The region bore its most abundant fruit in the work of the so-called Cappadocian Fathers: Basil, Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory Nanzianzus, the stellar minds of the second half of the fourth century who used Plato to interpret the New Testament. Basil known as “the Great” was born into a Christian upper class family and became a monk and eventually a bishop of Caesarea. His younger brother Gregory of Nyssa was self-taught and ordained bishop of Nyssa in 372, and played a key role at the second ecumenical council of Constantinople that reaffirmed the Nicene Creed in 381. Basil collaborated greatly with another Gregory of Nanzianzus who likewise was appointed bishop first of a small town and later as “Bishop of Constantinople,” 379 - 381. The three are considered cornerstones for orthodoxy and correct articulation of Christian doctrine for the universal church, east and west until the present day. Their theological reflection and terminology proved key in the adoption of the Nicene Creed at the Council of Nicaea, called by Constantine in 325 as the official profession of faith. You will touch into the lives of these three figures when you visit Cappadocia on your next pilgrimage to Turkey.

Cappadocian Fathers

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DAY 1: DEPART USADepart USA en route to the city of Kayseri, Turkey by way of Istanbul.

DAY 2: WELCOME TO ANATOLIA! We arrive in Kayseri and meet our Catholic Travel Centre guide, who will accompany us throughout our journey. We transfer to our hotel for dinner and the evening. (D)

DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA: GOREME VALLEY, UNDERGROUND CITY, SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPE - Truly Christian Land. This morning we visit the Goreme Museum with the so called Rock Churches curved in soft tufa stone by ancient monks and beautifully decorated with biblical frescos. We follow a path underground to walk in the narrow passages of hidden cities. Exploring Cappadocia we recall Cappadocian Fathers: St. Basil – founder of Monastic life, St. Gregory of Nazianzus – great theologian and St. Gregory of Nyssa. Tonight we enjoy a festive welcome dinner at a local restaurant, including a folkloric show. (B, D)

DAY 4: CAPPADOCIA / KONYA: On the road with the Apostle of the Nations. This morning we travel to Konya, the ancient Iconium where St. Paul started the Christian community. On the way, we stop at Karavansaray, a 14th century inn for caravans on the Silk Road. Upon arrival to Konya, we go to pray at the Church of St. Paul. Konya is also the center of an Islamic movement associated with the whirling dervishes. We visit the mosque and the museum where their founder is buried. Dinner is at our accommodations. (B, D)

DAY 5: KONYA / PISIDIAN ANTIOCH / PAMUKKALE: Listening to the words of St.Paul. Leaving Konya we continue on the path of St.Paul, reaching the ruins of the ancient city of Pisidian Antioch. A very important turn in Paul’s way of preaching the Gospel took place here in this city. Later this afternoon we reach Pamukkale, the unique resort with mineral waters shaping this land into a spectacular landscape. Dinner awaits us at our hotel. (B, D)

DAY 6: PAMUKKALE / ANCIENT HIERAPOLIS / KUSADASI: The essence of the Apocalypse. In the morning we enjoy the ruins of the ancient Hierapolis where St.Phillip the Apostle lived and was buried. Then we enjoy bathing in the running streams and pools of Pamukkale. Before lunch break we visit lately excavated ruins of Laodicea – the home of one of the seven churches of the Apocalypse. In the afternoon we continue our journey to the Aegean seashore. (B, D)

DAY 7: KUSADASI: EXCURSION TO MILETUS: Ancient Greco-Roman Civilization. In the morning we travel an hour away from Kusadasi to visit the ruins of Miletus – one of the most powerful Greco-Roman cities, producing noble man that contributed vastly to the so called western civilization. St.Paul was also present here. In the afternoon we have leisure time, taking advantage of our location along this resort location along the Aegean Sea. Dinner awaits at our hotel. (B, D)

DAY 8: KUSADASI: EXCURSION TO EPHESUS: Meeting Mother Mary, St.John and St.Paul. Today we visit Maryemana where, according to tradition, Mother of Jesus spent her last years on earth. Then we walk through magnificent ruins of Ephesus meeting St.John and St.Paul on its very streets and in the grand theatre. St.Paul sailed away from Ephesus. St.John was buried here. Above St. John’s grave, a huge basilica was erected. Return to our seaside accommodations for a relaxing afternoon. Dinner awaits us. (B, D)

DAY 9: KUSADASI / IZMIR / BERGAMA / BURSA: Looking for the Apostles’ descendants. We start heading towards the North, to the heart of Byzantine and later Ottoman Empires. We pass through Izmir – ancient Smyrna where St. Polycarp, the Martyr and disciple of St. John the Apostle, served as a bishop. We arrive to Bergama. We visit Acropolis, the upper city with some roman ruins and a spectacular view. Located here was one of the churches of the Apocalypse. We continue further north toward Bursa – once a capitol of Seljuk Turks, predecessors of Ottomans. Dinner is at our hotel. (B, D)

DAY 10: BURSA / NICEA / ISTANBUL: At the gate of our faith. Our morning will be highlighted by a visit to the Great Mosque of Bursa and nearby Silk Bazaar. Leaving Bursa we make our way to the little town of Iznik, once called Nicea. It is precisely here our Confession of faith was written down at the first ecumenical Council of the Church in 325AD. We know it as the Nicene Creed. The church built for the last ecumenical Council that took place also in Nicea in 787AD. Inside we can still see the remnants of Christian paintings. Late afternoon we arrive in Istanbul for dinner. (B, D)

DAY 11: ISTANBUL: VISIT OF HAGIA SOPHIA, TOPKAPI PALACE, BLUE MOSQUE & UNDERGROUND CISTERN: Visiting Istanbul, discovering Constantinople. Today we dedicate to discovering the glory of Constantinople and admiring the achievements of Sultans. We visit Hagia Sophia – the greatest Christian up to the construction of the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City. Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque in the 15th century and serves now as the national museum. Right behind Hagia Sophia we enter the Topkapi Palace, the Sultans’ residence for nearly 400 years. Across the main square of the city is the Blue Mosque. Our last visit today is the underground cisterns. Dinner awaits us at our hotel. (B, D)

DAY 12: ISTANBUL: ST. SAVIOUR IN CHORA & BAZAARS: On the border line between Europe and Asia. Today we visit St. Saviour in Chora Church, now a museum, containing the greatest treasures of high mosaic art dating from the Byzantine period. Extraordinary mosaics telling biblical stories also recall the greatness of art and piety from Christian era of this land. On our way back to the city center we have a chance to stop at Patriarchate to feel the spirit of the eastern Christian traditions still present here. Then we enjoy some shopping at Istanbul’s bazaars and end with a private cruise along the Bosphorus, drifting through history of Europe and Asia together. A special farewell dinner awaits us at a local restaurant. (B, D)

DAY 13: RETURN TO USA:Transfer to the Istanbul Airport for return flight to the USA.

turkey’s relIgIous & culturAl HerItAge: 13-DAy ItInerAry

Figure of Mary from her house in Ephesus

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Coin to commemorate the founding of Constantinople (Istanbul) by Constantine I, 330 AD.

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How to organize a Pilgrimage grouP to turkey

Greg MisiewiczA graduate of Catholic University of John Paul II in Lublin, Poland, Greg is a theologian, film maker, writer and researcher. As a licensed tour guide in the Holy Land and Turkey, he served for many years at the Institute for World Evangelization while professionally guiding pilgrimages. His area of expertise is St. Paul. He directed and co-produced an award winning video series on Paul of Tarsus. At Catholic Travel Centre, Greg serves as our media consultant and specialist in Early Church programs.

Turkish Black Tea. Perhaps the best tea in the World.

Tasty olives. All kinds and all grown in Turkey.

Dr. Daniel E. Doyle (Danny)Danny completed his S.T.D. in Early Christian Studies at the prestigious Augustinianum University in Rome. Author of multiple scholarly publications including two books, he serves as Director of Business Development at Catholic Travel Centre and consults in creating unique itineraries that promise to make early Christian history come alive for you.

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