The history of Greece is filled with ancient god worship and religion. Named after the patron goddess Athena, there are plenty of classical temples and museums to visit to explore the ancient art and artifacts of the region. It is here that St. Paul traveled during his second missionary journey.
Important Biblical sites and religious attractions are also found in Athens, including Mars Hill and the 12th century church called Mikri Mitropoli, which is next to the cathedral dedicated to the “Virgin Who Answers Prayers Quickly.” The city is also a nice place to visit historic Greek Orthodox churches. If you are following in the footsteps of Paul, then you will find many other pilgrims and tourists gather here. It is now the second largest city in the Peloponnese.
Following his visit to Athens, Paul moved onto Corinth, where he stayed for 18 months. It is here that he pens 1 and 2 Thessalonians. His companions during this time were Aquila and Priscilla, who became his fellow-workers.
Corinth is an ancient city located less than 50 miles from Athens. A narrow piece of land connects the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, where you will find the city. During ancient Greek days, the city earned acclaim for the missionary work of Paul. By the time Paul arrived, the city had already been partially destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC and undergone a rebuilding process that started in 44 BC. The Roman Corinth was a prosperous city that benefited from the guidance of Julius Caesar. It is estimated that as many as 800,000 inhabitants thrived in the city when Paul arrived. It had become the capital of Roman Greece , a population mixed with freedmen and Jews.
Paul visited Corinth in the 50s AD. Later on, he would write two letters to the Christian community at Corinth (which are found in the books of 1 and 2 Corinthians of the New Testament). During his first visit to the city, the brother of Seneca (Gallio) was proconsul of Corinth. Paul took a job making tents and spent his time and converting as many Jews and pagans that he could during the 18 months he lived in the city. It was during this time that he first met Aquila and Priscilla, who would take on the same work as he.
It was Paul’s intention to pass through Corinth for a second time before he visited Macedonia, his plans changed , taking him to Troas and then onto Macedonia before making his way back to Corinth. During his time in Corinth, he only stayed for three months.
If you are following in the footsteps of Paul, then you will find many other pilgrims and tourists gather here. It is now the second largest city in the Peloponnese.
After Corinth, Paul traveled to Ephesus, an ancient city situated close to the Aegean Sea in what is now known as modern day Turkey.
