Holy Seven Churches of Christianity + Exclusive Check-up

The pilgrim group will depart from home country and travel to Turkiye for Christian Pilgrimage.

Following breakfast, we'll check out from the hotel and embark on a journey to Pamukkale. Once arriving to Pamukkale, we will have the lunch. Then, visit the ancient cities of Hierapolis and Laodikeia, highlighted as “The Lukewarm Church” in the Book of Revelation, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. Onwards to Hierapolis over a mile of streets roll through ruins leading to the huge Roman theater. Columns rise proud and tower over your journey, unmoved and unbowed since Paul visited on two of his pilgrimages. Two entrances lead to contrasting ruins. First the tomb of Apostle Philip, recently excavated and a blossoming pilgrimage spot. You continue to Aphrodisias, an ode to the Greek goddess of love and an essential stop on Paul's route through Asia Minor. Admire the Grand Theater with its steep steps and rumination of gladiators, walk between streets of marble and intrigue, then marvel at the reliefs and statues preserved in the museum. Visiting these two cities in one day allows for fascinating contrasts, one city slowly recreating a former glory and the other already showcasing the ancient pomp and razzmatazz. After the visiting of the ancient cities, check-in to the hotel and free time.

After breakfast and checking out from the hotel, driving to Alaşehir and visit to Philadelphia, “the faithful church” unwavering commitment and its impact on the region’s enduring faith. Then driving to Salihli and having lunch. After the lunch, visit to Sardes, “the dead church”, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus told Sardes, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead”(Rev. 3: 1-6). After the visiting of Sardis, driving to Akhisar to visit Thyatira, “the adulterous church” that, as mentioned in the Revelations, tolerated the false prophets, Jezebel (Rev. 1: 11; 2: 18-29). After the visiting of the ancient cities, check-in to the hotel and free time.

Following the breakfast, head to Bergama. And here visiting Pergamum “the compromising church”; where Revelation 2:12-16 describes the city as “where Satan’s seat is”, a reference to the altar of Zeus. After lunch, driving to İzmir to visit Smyrna, “the suffering church” and the (“Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days”), home of great 2nd century Bishop Policarp who was burned alive at the age of 85. After the visiting of the ancient cities, check-in to the hotel and free time.

After breakfast, driving to Selcuk and visit the ancient city of Ephesus, “the loveless church”, the most important of the seven churches. Paul's journey went into the unknown, his path connecting large Roman cities where the people often resisted his presence. Circa 40AD, Ephesus was rivaled only by Rome and its importance is shown in numerous Bible passages. Marble streets are lined with the houses of luminaries, imposing pillars dominate the skyline, and the main causeway leads your feet towards the resplendent Celsus Library. It takes a few hours to fully tour the site, each corner bringing greater impressions of the city's size. Ephesus was perhaps Paul's greatest breakthrough in spreading Christianity; his three years here are remembered in the Book of Acts and letters to the church in the Book of Corinthians. The beautiful preserved ruins offer an aesthetic wonder while the sheer scale of Ephesus helps imbue the scale and success of the Apostle's work. This is also the site of another of the Churches of Revelation and the first to be mentioned in the Book of Revelations. Early Christian memories continue through the walk to the Basilica of St. John, a marbled entrance guarding the tomb. From here Ephesus's cityscape is at its most majestic, pillars rising beneath a sky of Mediterranean blue. After the lunch the House of Virgin Mary is another poignant stop on today's journey of discovery. By completing today's discoveries, driving to the hotel, check-in and free time until dinner.

After a breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to Turkiye make our way to the airport for the return journey. First we will go to the home through Ankara. As you depart from Turkiye after experiencing a unique pilgrimage, including culture and landmarks, we hope you carry cherished memories of this beautiful experience with you. Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future.