Welcome to the Seven Churches tour program! On the first day, we’ll begin our journey to the land of the seven Churches of Revelation. It would be best to fly early to Izmir (Ancient Smyrna), Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB). Once you arrive, we’ll welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Kusadasi. In the evening, you’ll have a lecture about the Book of Revelation of Saint John, followed by a welcome dinner and leisure time. 

After breakfast, we will be headed to Ephesus, which is the first of the seven Churches of Apocalypse and was once a thriving city with an excellent harbor, beautiful marble monuments, and the famous Temple of Artemis, which was one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world. During our visit, we will explore the significance of Artemis and discover why Saint Paul stayed in Ephesus for two and a half years. Ephesus is one of the most essential Biblical cities in Christian history. After we visit the site, we will drive to the Basilica of Saint John, where we will study Revelation 1:1 and learn about Saint John’s exile to the Island of Patmos.

After a local lunch, we will drive to Smyrna. The Church of Fidelity and Nonviolent Resistance will read the letter and appreciate being in the 2000-year-old Agora Marketplace of Smyrna overnight in Izmir.

On Day 3, we will visit the Ancient city of Pergamon in Asia Minor. We will start by climbing to the Acropolis of the town, where the Throne of Satan was located. There, we’ll see the foundation of the famous altar of Zeus, talk about Antipass, and learn about ancient daily life and letters to the Christian Community of Pergamon. Next, we’ll visit The Red Basilica, once the Temple of Egyptian Gods and Serapis. After lunch in Pergamum, we’ll drive about 60 kilometers to the modern city of Akhisar. We’ll visit the Ancient Thyateira, the Church of Ultimate Compromises, and immorality there. Although only a tiny portion of the ancient city remains, it was once the hometown of Lydia, the famous patron of Saint Paul (Acts of Apostles, Chapter 16, Verse 14), during the second missionary journey. We will discuss the industries of the Ancient City, the Jews, and the difficulties of being a Christian. Finally, we’ll drive for another mid-50 minutes to reach our hotel, the Lydia Thermal Hotel, which is close to the Ancient city of Sardis.

On Day 4, our journey begins early in the morning with a visit to the ancient city of Sardis, once the capital of King Croesus. Here, we will see the largest Synagogue in the ancient world and learn about the city’s history concerning the letter of the Apocalypse of Saint John. We will also discuss the metaphors of the words of God. Our next stop is the city of Philadelphia, also known as the city of brotherly love and the early Christian community of endurance. We will see the destroyed pillars of the Church of Saint John and talk about the fidelity of Christians and how God rewards them. Finally, we will arrive at Laodicea, the Church of Conscious Compromises,  and understand how earthly pleasures seduce Christians and correlate them with the letters of the Book of Revelation. After our visit, we will take a short drive and spend the night in Pamukkale.

Day 5, the Church of Colossae and the City of Saint Philip, Bishop Papias. After a short drive, we’ll reach the Ancient city of Hierapolis, where one of the 12, Saint Philip, was martyred, according to patristic writings. At the same time, it is the home of Saint Papias, the Bishop of Hierapolis, a friend of Saint Polycarp, a disciple of Saint John, the first church father who wrote about the Book of Revelation. We will enjoy the picturesque view of the hot spring pool as well. We will drive to Colossae, not to see the ruins, but to be there and remember the letters of Paul addressing the Colossians and Philemon. we will commemorate St. Epaphras, the founder of Christianity in the region. After lunch, the services will be over. You may be transferred to the Airport or continue to an extension tour.