English
Apostle Paul and athletic events in ancient Greece
“οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι οἱ ἐν σταδίῳ τρέχοντες πάντες μὲν τρέχουσιν, εἷς δὲ λαμβάνει τὸ βραβεῖον; οὕτω τρέχετε, ἵνα καταλάβητε” 1 Corinthians 9:24
All the ancient societies in the Eastern Mediterranean had athletic activities but it was the Greeks who elevated them to a way of life for the first time in history. Each city had its own athletic events but four of them were the prevailing ones, those of Olympia, Delphi, Isthmia and Nemea. The Apostle Paul was aware of all the above because he was raised in a society that was influenced by the Greek culture, tradition and customs. This is the reason why he adapts the athletic terminology into his Christian preaching.
3 Days
FROM OUR GALLERY
View some of this tour's sights.
1
Day 1 Athens / Isthmia / Corinth / Nemea / Olympia
We depart from Athens in the morning and travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal.
The most important athletic event of Corinth was at Isthmia, a sanctuary dedicated to Poseidon. During the time the Apostle Paul stayed in Corinth these games took place and he was one of the providers of tents needed there together with Aquila and Priscilla.
Corinth used to be one of the most important and prosperous cities of ancient Greece, next to Athens and Sparta. It was destroyed by the Romans and it was later rebuilt as a roman colony. When the Apostle Paul arrived at Corinth, it was the capital of the Roman province of Achaea. He spent there about one and a half year preaching to the Jews at first and then to the Gentiles. In the area of the forum, besides the ruins of shrines and shops, we will see the temple of Apollo, the only monument that belongs to the pre-roman period. Situated there is the “Bema”, otherwise known as the judgment seat of Gallio (Acts18: 12-17). Among the many artifacts of the museum that we will visit, two of them prove the Jewish presence in the city (Acts 18: 4). Finally, we will see the "Erastus" inscription and understand its role in the history of the Apostle Paul in Corinth (Romans 16:23).
Nemea is a valley in the region of Peloponnese, where among the acres of cultivated vine lies the temple of Zeus and the stadium, famous for the Nemean games.
Dinner and overnight in Olympia.
2
Day 2 Olympia / Patra / Delphi
Olympia used to be the most famous sanctuary dedicated to Zeus in ancient Greece. The Olympic Games were organized there for the first time and they took place every 4 years to honor the deity. Today we will see several temples, such as the one dedicated to Zeus that housed the gold ivory statue - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – and athletic facilities as for example the stadium.
At the Olympia museum, we will marvel at the largest collection of bronze votive offerings and weapons; the sculpted decoration of the temple of Zeus; the statue of Nike of Paionios; the helmet of Miltiades, the Athenian general of the battle against the Persians in Marathon; and the statue of Hermes of Praxiteles.
Patras lies in the northwest Peloponnese and it is a major port that connects Greece with Italy. The Cathedral of Saint Andrew has been built on the spot, where the apostle was crucified and hosts his relics. It is the largest church in Greece and the third largest in the Balkans.
Dinner and overnight in Delphi.
3
Day 3 Delphi / Hosios Loukas / Thebes / Athens
The magnificent archaeological site of Delphi is situated on a slope of the mythical mountain of Parnassos. We explore “the center of the world” visiting the most important monuments, such as the treasury and the stoa of the Athenians, the polygonal wall, the altar of Chians, the dedication of Platea and the temple of Apollo, where the Pythia with her words ruled the world. The spirit of divination which possessed the Pythia in Delphi is the same as the one that the Apostle Paul commanded to come out of the young girl in Philippi (Acts 16: 16).
Then we will visit the Delphi museum, which hosts the most important offerings/dedications to the god Apollo, for example the frieze of the treasury of the Siphnians, the Naxian sphinx, the silver life-size statue of a bull, the gold ivory statues of Apollo and his family, the statue of Antinoos and the famous bronze Charioteer. In the museum, we can also see the inscription, where Gallio (Acts 18: 12), the proconsul of Achaia, is mentioned.
Hosios Loukas is a historic monastery situated in Boeotia. It is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art due to its wonderful mosaics.
The Evangelist Luke lived, preached and died in the city of Thebes. His relics are kept today in the church built to his honor at his burial place.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Included
Deluxe bus transportation for airport transfers and for the tours according to the program - 50-seats bus.*
… overnights, on HB basis in 4* or 5* hotels .
Professional qualified English-speaking tourist guide throughout the tour.
Entrance fees.**
The whispers set.***
Full liability insurance.
All legal taxes and VAT.
Not Included
Possible tips and personal expenses.
Air tickets.
Meals outside of package.
The Overnight Stay Tax, which is 3,00€ per room, per overnight in 4* hotel and …€ per room, per overnight in 5* hotel.
What is not clearly described as included in the program.
* According to Covid-19 protocols, the capacity of the tourist bus must be at 65% of the seats.
** The cost of entrance tickets is based on the prices given by the Ministry of Culture up to now. If the prices of the entrance fees change, the cost will be adjusted accordingly.
***Losses or destruction of the whispers:
The following charges without VAT apply for the loss or destruction of the equipment:
- Receiver € 75.00
Combos
This tour package can be combined with:
1 day cruise to Poros, Hydra and Aigina
1 day cruise to Mount Athos.
3 nights Iconic Aegean Sea Islands cruise.
4 nights Iconic Aegean Sea Islands cruise.
Notes
We can design shorter or longer itineraries according to your interest.
You may combine the above program with any itinerary regarding Cyprus, Israel, Italy and Turkey.
We bear no responsibility in case of unannounced and unexpectedly closed archaeological sites, museums, churches or monasteries,
Dress Code
We recommend to be dressed with respect towards the religious places we are going to visit – covered knees and shoulders.
We also strongly advise you to always wear a hat, comfortable shoes, sunglasses and have sunblock with you.
Apostle Paul and athletic events in ancient Greece, tour - ReligiousTours.gr