NPUC Tour Itinerary: Days 7-8
August 26th: Hierapolis, Laodicea, Colossae
Continue to Pamukkale to visit Hierapolis; incredible excavations at Hierapolis, including a Byzantine church, the Great Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the Plutonium, which pagan cults once called "the entrance to hell". Driveto Laodicea; the Christians of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches, (Rev. 3: 14-22) were chastised for being lukewarm, "You are neither cold nor hot" (Rev. 3: 15), and for being too comfortable incorporating pagan and Christian beliefs. In the famous scripture from Revelation (3: 20-21), Jesus says to the Laodicean church: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock...". Today, there are many acres of ruins to see, including the stadium and columned streets.
Continue to Colossae; The gospel probably arrived in Colossae with St. Paul's preaching in Ephesus (cp. Acts 19:10) on his third journey. Perhaps Epaphras, the Lycus Valley's own evangelist heard St. Paul at Ephesus and returned with the message. It is impossible to know for sure, but it seems as though St. Paul had not yet visited at the time of the writing of the Epistle to the Colossians. Philemon and his slave Onesimus apparently were both natives of Colossae. Have dinner and stay overnight in Kusadasi.
August 27th: Patmos
Transfer from your hotel to Kusadasi port for a special journey to Patmos. It was here that St. John the Theologian was exiled between 95 and 97 A.D. and was inspired to write the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse. Later the emperor Alexios Komninos ordered the monk Christodoulos Letrinos to found a monastery in honor of the Apostle. Thus the holy monastery of Patmos was built, the most important landmark on the island. After your own touring in Patmos embark in your private boat for Kusadasi. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
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Itinerary Days: 1-3 4-6 7-8 9-13