In the Footsteps of Paul: Days 14 and 15, March 7 and 8

Neapolis and Philippi

Saturday, March 7th was a day of transit, traveling from Turkey to Greece, from Asia to Europe.  It was gray and misty with spitting rain and a fierce wind.  We were up early to catch a ferry across the Dardanelles in rough water.  Paul and his companions sailed a similar route as they crossed over from Asia to Europe answering Christ's call to "be my witnesses to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

In the middle of the Dardanelles, with the Gallipoli Peninsula in the background.

Approaching Geliboli in Europe

We drove to the Greek border, and after a lengthy crossing, proceeded to Kavala (ancient Neapolis) where Paul first arrived in Europe, bringing the Gospel in response to "the man in Macedonia". (Acts 16:8-10)

We arrived in Kavala, Greece where we spent the night after an entire day of traveling.

The harbor at Neapolis, where Paul first arrived in Europe.

We awoke on Sunday to a cold, rainy day.  We began by celebrating the Eucharist.

Preaching on Paul's Letter to the Philippians.

Receiving communion.

We drove to the site of the ancient city of Philippi, the first place where Paul preached in Europe.  The Acts of the Apostles says that on the Sabbath, Paul and Silas went outside the city gate to the river, hoping to find a place where people gathered to pray.  They found a group of women, and after proclaiming the Gospel, a woman named Lydia responded with joy, being baptized along with her whole household.  From that point forward, Paul and Silas stayed in her house. (Acts 16:11-16)  Lydia, became a key leader in the Church at Philippi, showing that Paul supported the Christian leadership of women.  There is a wonderful site where Lydia was baptized; in the pouring rain it was swollen to flood level. 

The site of Lydia's baptism.

There is also a beautiful baptistry, that is in frequent use by the Greek Orthodox community.

Lydia's baptistry.

A mosaic map of Paul's Missionary Journeys in the narthex of Lydia's baptistry (the very route we have traveled).  

Frescos of St. Lydia and St. Paul in the Lydia's baptistry.  

 Although it was raining hard, with the temperature in the 30's, several pilgrims braved the elements to visit the nearby excavations of ancient Philippi.  Of special note is "Paul's prison".  When Paul exorcized a 'spirit of divination' from a girl in Philippi--a slave girl who made her masters good money telling fortunes--the girl's owners were angered at their loss of income.  They dragged Paul and Silas before the city's magistrates, surrounded by an ugly mob.  The magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped and beaten with rods, before throwing them in jail, with their feet held in stocks.  The two Christians prayed and sang hymns, and drew the attention of the jailer and other prisoners.  There was an earthquake that night breaking open the prison doors.  The jailer, thinking he would be executed if the prisoners escaped, was in great fear and ready to attempt suicide.  But Paul cried out, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."  The jailer asked, "What must I do to be saved?"  Paul replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31) He and his entire household were baptized.  In the morning the magistrates, upon learning Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, wanted them to be released quietly.  Paul boldly refused, and on the grounds of his citizenship insisted the magistrates come and publicly apologize, which they did.  After visiting with Lydia and encouraging the new Christians in Philippi, Paul and his companions left for the city of Thessalonica. (Acts 16:16-40)

Paul's prison in Philippi.

The hard rain and cold, blustery weather led us to cut our visit short, and we boarded the bus to follow Paul to the modern city of Thessaloniki where we spent the night.