18 DAYS

Accompanied by Fr Geoffrey Plant PP

Travel with St Paul and his companions as they courageously preached the word of God and kept their Christian communities alive in faith. Be prepared to capture afresh the fervour and spirit of the Church’s greatest evangelist.

St Paul Expedition With Optional Malta & Rome Extension

14 Nights / 18 Days Thessaloniki (1 Night) / Kavala (2) / Philippi / via Beroea / Meteora (2) / via Delphi / Athens (2) / Corinth / Patmos (2) / Miletus / Kusadasi (2) / Ephesus / Istanbul (3) • Optional Malta & Rome Extension (6 Nights)

DEPARTS: MONDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2019

Meal Codes(B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner

DAY 7: SUNDAY 8 SEP – VIA DELPHI TO ATHENS (BD)Theme: The DelphitesToday we journey south by coach to the remarkable city of Delphi where we are rewarded with the view of this ancient site unsurpassed with natural beauty. We will be taken on a guided tour including the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Museum housing important relics excavated here. Continue south to Athens.Athens today is the thriving capital of Greece, but, more importantly, we have entered into the world of the New Testament where St Paul and his companions established the first Christian communities throughout his four missionary journeys.

DAY 8: MONDAY 9 SEP – ATHENS & CORINTH (BD)Theme: The CorinthiansWhen St Paul first came to Athens it was predominantly a city which worshipped pagan gods. St Paul was taken before the city council at the Areopagus Hill, a rough outcrop of limestone rock from which he preached the Gospel message to the Athenian philosophers.We begin our day with a tour of Christian Athens including the Acropolis, the Areopagus where St Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God”. Visit the Ancient Agora where Paul preached about Jesus and the resurrection, the Plaka (Old Greece), and explore the Parthenon. Also see the Kallimármaro Stadium, dating back to 330BC and restored for the first modern Olympic Games held here in 1896.Journey out to Ancient Corinth this afternoon where the apostle Paul lived for almost two years, teaching the people the Word of God and converting many. On arrival we will view the Erastus inscription dating back to the first century AD and concerning a Christian convert, Erastus who was the ‘director of public works’ in Corinth.

Visit the Baptistery of Lydia for a beautiful outdoor Mass in this breathtaking oasis on the River Zygaktis, and to renew our Baptismal vows. Visit the market place (where St Paul and St Silas were brought before the rulers) and the cistern which tradition identifies as the place where St Paul was imprisoned. In the ancient theatre we will hear the story of Paul’s arrest, imprisonment and miraculous release.We depart Philippi and return to Kavala to enjoy some free time before dinner.

DAY 5: FRIDAY 6 SEP – VIA BEREA TO KALAMBAKA (BD)Theme: The BereansToday we journey west by coach via Amphipolis where we view the ruins of many Christian basilicas. Continue west to Berea (modern Veria). The “Bema” - an impressive monument to Paul - is believed to incorporate the steps from the original synagogue from which he preached the gospel to the Jews, who welcomed the word of God and began to study the Scriptures. A small church was established here and we will also view the ‘hidden churches’, a collection of about 20 Byzantine structures, camouflaged in the form of barns from the invading Ottoman Turks.We travel south this afternoon to the small town of Kalambaka built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks of Meteora.

DAY 6: SATURDAY 7 SEP – METEORA EXPLORATION (BD)Theme: The MonasticsWe spend some time today marvelling at this unique phenomenon of nature – 24 perpendicular rocks where 600 years ago Byzantine monks chose to worship God and build their cave-like Monastic community of Meteora. We will visit some of these living monasteries by foot and view the extraordinary collection of priceless religious frescoes and other treasures.

DAY 1: MONDAY 2 SEP – DEPART FOR GREECE

DAY 2: TUESDAY 3 SEP – ARRIVE THESSALONIKI (D)Afternoon arrival into Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, founded in 315 BC, and where St Paul preached during the winters of 49-50AD and wrote the two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. It was here that he established the first Christian Church in Europe.

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY 4 SEP – THESSALONIKI TO KAVALA (BD)Theme: The ThessaloniansOur visit this morning will include the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius, as well as the Rotunda where we can see pieces of the pulpit from which Paul preached. View the Roman Agora where he also preached. Nearby we shall visit St Demetrios’ Church dedicated to a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity, and was later martyred. View its valuable mosaics and frescoes before descending in to the crypt where we find the remains of some ancient Roman baths and streets.We then ascend to the ‘ano poli’ (old town) to the Byzantine Vlatadon Monastery, built over Jason’s house where Paul stayed during his time in Thessaloniki. Mid- afternoon we depart Thessaloniki, journeying east along the ancient route of the Apostle Paul to the port city of Kavala (ancient Neapolis), once named “Christoupolis” after being the first European city to accept Christianity. It was here that St Paul, St Timothy and St Silas first landed from Troas, one of the great moments in the history of Christianity.

DAY 4: THURSDAY 5 SEP – PHILIPPI & KAVALA (BD)Theme: The PhilippiansJourney out to Philippi, named after Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. It was here that St Paul won his first European convert, a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira.

St Paul Expedition

EphesusKusadasi

Patmos

AthensCorinth

Delphi

Meteora

BereaThessaloniki

PhilippiKavala2

TURKEYGREECE

Ephesus

1

2

Istanbul3

2

2

2

Kavala City

We visit the ancient ruins and see the site where he preached the Gospel from the Rostrum. See the Peirene fountain, and the 6th century BC Temple of Apollo before an outdoor Mass in this stunning setting. Finally we come to Cenchreae, the ancient port from where St Paul said farewell to the believers and departed for Ephesus.

DAY 9: TUESDAY 10 SEP – TRAVEL TO PATMOS (BD)After checking out of our hotel this morning we will celebrate Mass in St Denis’ Cathedral. In the afternoon we will be transferred directly to the Athenian port of Piraeus to embark our deluxe ferry-boat transfer to the Dodecanese island of Patmos, where St John the Beloved wrote the Book of Revelation. Lying between the islands of Leros and Ikaria is the ‘ascetic shaped’ Patmos, called the ‘Jerusalem of the Aegean’ due to the overwhelming atmosphere of the island during the great celebrations of Christianity.

DAY 10: WEDNESDAY 11 SEP – PATMOS DAY (BD)Theme: St John of RevelationsWe begin our day with a walking tour of the main square of the village of Chora. This is the traditional settlement and capital of Patmos, where the narrow streets were designed to ward off pirates over the centuries. Ascend to the Monastery of St John the Beloved, a huge fortress-like building dating from the 11th century, for a visit and celebration of Mass. Our exploration of this living monastery will culminate with time in the actual Cave of Revelation where God chose to reveal to St John the mysteries of the last book of the Bible - the Apocalypse. The cave is now at the foot of the monastery, which houses priceless icons and manuscripts, sacred relics, vestments embroiled with silver or gold threads and bejeweled with precious stones.Later continue to the active Convent of Evangelismos (Annunciation) built by the

hieromonk Nikiphoros who was cured from the plague after praying to St Luke the Evangelist. Visit the Convent of Zoodochos Pigi with icons dating from the 16th to the 18th century. Finally we will enjoy a short scenic tour of the island.

DAY 11: THURSDAY 12 SEP – PATMOS TO KUSADASI (BD)Depart Patmos this morning by private Charter Vessel to Kusadasi, doorway to Ephesus and the Churches of Revelation. On arrival in Kusadasi we will be met and transferred south by coach to Miletus. St Paul and his companions travelled via Mytilene, Chios and Samos to Miletus, where St Paul delivered his touching farewell address to the elders of Ephesus and predicted his death.We will return to Kusadasi to check in to our centrally located hotel before dinner.

DAY 12: FRIDAY 13 SEP – EPHESUS DAY (BD)Theme: The EphesiansWe travel directly to Ephesus this morning where St Paul spent more than two years in the course of his third missionary journey. It was to the Christian community of Ephesus that St Paul wrote his greatest and most challenging letter (the epistle to the Ephesians) and also succeeded in converting many away from worship of the god Artemis. Our visit today will include the ruins where St Paul lived and preached. See the prison of St Paul; walk through the ancient marble streets founded in the 10th century BC and see this most ‘complete’ Roman city providing us with an excellent window into Imperial Rome. Pass the Temple of Hadrian, the Library of Celsus, the enormous amphitheatre, and finally come to the ruins of the Christian Basilica where the Third Ecumenical Council took place in 431AD, and where Our Lady was proclaimed “Mother of God”. We ascend the hill to the House of the Virgin Mary where it is said Mary spent the later years of her life. We celebrate our group Mass

here in one of the chapels. Finally we visit the restored remains of the 6th century Basilica of St John at Celcuk where a small church was originally built over the tomb of St John the Evangelist.

DAY 13: SATURDAY 14 SEP – FLY TO ISTANBUL (BD)Today we will be transferred to Izmir airport for our flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our accommodation

DAY 14: SUNDAY 15 SEP – ISTANBUL (BD)We begin our day with Mass at St Peter and Paul Church, then a special city cruise along the Bosphorus where we will sail past the Ottoman Palaces, Byzantine fortresses, Beylerbeyi Palace and Suleimans Mosque. Continue to the Topkapi Palace. Onwards then to the Grand Bazaar, with over 4000 exotic tiny shops.

DAY 15: MONDAY 16 SEP – ISTANBUL (BD)This morning we begin with a visit to the Church of St Anthony of Padua, where we will celebrate Mass. Continue to the Byzantine Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and nearby Hagia Sophia (meaning ‘Holy Wisdom’). Built in 548 AD, Hagia Sophia was the greatest Church in Christendom until 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire. We then visit the 6th century Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city.Free time in afternoon and tonight, we enjoy a special farewell dinner.

DAY 16: TUESDAY 17 SEP – DEPART TURKEY (B)Return to the airport for our homebound flights or onward pilgrimage extension to Malta.

DAY 17: WEDNESDAY 18 SEP – IN TRANSIT

DAY 18: THURSDAY 19 SEP – ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

BOOK NOW

1800 819 156

www.harvestjourneys.com

PRICING TABLE

TOUR CODE DEPARTS RETURNS

PV6319 Mon 2 Sep Thu 19 Sep

AIR & TOUR $7,990 Twin Share

SINGLE ROOM $1,990

TIPPING MADE EASY $10 per person/per day

MALTA & ROME

TOUR COST $4,890 Twin Share

SINGLE ROOM $1,190

TIPPING MADE EASY $10 per person/per day

INCLUSIONS

AIRFARESEconomy class airfare from Sydney to Thessaloniki & Istanbul return (N.B. Airlines taxes are included on standard itinerary and subject to fluctuations).

ACCOMMODATION & MEALSBased on Superior Standard accommodation throughout with breakfast & dinner daily

MISCELLANEOUS INCLUSIONSDeluxe Air-Conditioned Motor coach with driver • Full Time local tour guides/Tour Director • Sightseeing and entrance fees throughout itinerary • Porterage of 1 piece of luggage per person at hotels • Harvest Backpack, Pilgrims Journal and Tour Wallet

NOT INCLUDEDPassport • Visas (Turkey – processed online directly by individuals) • Prepaid Tipping • Other meals not stated • Items of a personal nature including phone calls, laundry, beverages, etc. • Travel insurance (Harvest will recommend a special group policy rate).

All Bookings to: Harvest Journeys PO Box 21207 World Square NSW 2002 Australia

Free Call: 1800 819 156 Email: info@harvestjourneys.com

www.harvestjourneys.com

Malta

DAY 16: TUESDAY 17 SEP – FLY TO MALTA (BD)Today we will be transferred to the airport for our flight connections to Malta. Upon arrival at Malta airport we will be met and transferred to our hotel for check-in. Christianity has existed almost 2,000 years in Malta, brought to the island by no less than the Apostle Paul himself in 60 AD.

DAY 17: WEDNESDAY 18 SEP – ST PAUL’S ISLAND – RABAT – MDINA (BD)Today we proceed to St Paul’s Bay where a short boat trip takes us to the island where the Apostle was shipwrecked. After some time here we return to the mainland where we view St Paul’s Bonfire Church. En route to Rabat visit the miraculous Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Mosta where during World War II a 500 kilogram bomb penetrated the dome and hit the inside of the church. Continue to Rabat to enter St Paul’s Grotto where St Paul lived during his short stay in Malta. We celebrate Mass here and visit the catacombs dedicated to him. After a short walk into Mdina, visit St Paul’s Cathedral which will be another highlight of our day’s trip.

DAY 18: THURSDAY 19 SEP – GOZO DAY TRIP (BD)Travel by ferry to the sister island of Gozo. Visit the Church of St John La Rotunda, and walk up the steps to the Gozo Citadel which is a medieval city and the capital of Gozo. Visit St George’s Basilica, then on to the miraculous Ta’Pinu Shrine for Mass.

DAY 19: FRIDAY 20 SEP – VALLETTA & FLY TO ROME (B)Today we visit Valletta. After a drive around the city to admire its bastions, we enter the city by foot and see the Auberges built by the Knights and St John. We enter St John’s Co-Cathedral, and view the impressive and miraculous Crucifix at Ta’Giezu Church. Continue to the St Paul Shipwreck Church where we will view two relics of St Paul. Mid-afternoon we will return to the airport for our flight connections to Rome, the Eternal City. On arrival we will be met and transferred to our centrally located accommodation.

DAY 20: SATURDAY 21 SEP – ROME PILGRIMAGE – THE MAJOR BASILICAS (BD)Celebrate this morning a spectacular Mass at St Peter’s Basilica before coming to the nearby Vatican Museums. Wander the spectacular

Optional 6 Night Malta & Rome Extension

chambers leading to the Sistine Chapel to view Michelangelo’s masterpieces, including the magnificent fresco of the Last Judgment. Continue through to the awe inspiring St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world for an informative exploration. Our guided tour will feature among other highlights Michelangelo’s stunning Pieta, the tomb of Pope St John Paul II, the great Confessional and the Crypt containing the tombs of several Popes. In the afternoon, visit the impressive St Mary Major Basilica. Onwards to the Basilica of St John in Lateran (First Papal residence) and the adjacent Holy Stairs brought from Jerusalem to Rome in 326AD by St Helena. Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme with its extraordinary collection of relics from the Holy Land.

DAY 21: SUNDAY 22 SEP – ROME PILGRIMAGE – SAINTS & MARTYRS (BD)We enter into the most visited attraction in Rome - the Colosseum. In 1749, Pope Benedict XIV declared the Colosseum a sacred site, as it was a place where early Christians had been martyred. View also the Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum en route. Journey this afternoon out to the majestic Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls. Originally consecrated in 324, the saint’s tomb is visible now under the Papal Altar. We will celebrate a wonderful Mass here as a special tribute to the Church’s greatest evangelist. Nearby is Tre Fontane Abbey which is said to have been built on the site of St Paul’s martyrdom. After the saint’s beheading it is said that three fountains sprung up from the places where his head hit the ground.Continue then to the ancient Catacombs for a memorable guided tour to marvel at these underground burial tunnels for Christians and Hebrews. Return to our hotel for free time. We will then dine out at L’Eau Vive Restaurant – Meaning Living Water (from the Biblical scene of Jacobs Well). This fabulous French Restaurant is run by Carmelite Missionary Nuns who will actually sing the Ave Maria to us between courses!

DAY 22: MONDAY 23 SEP – DEPART ITALY (B)After Mass this morning we enjoy some free time before being transferred to the airport for our homebound flight connections.

DAY 23: TUESDAY 24 SEP – IN TRANSIT

DAY 24: WEDNESDAY 25 SEP – ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

* Costs have been based on prices as at Nov 2018 and must remain subject to possible change in the unlikely event of significant exchange rate variations, airfare increases and minimum group size (30) contingencies.