Turkey and St. Paul Slide Show timing

Brief History : 

Brief History There is evidence suggesting human presence in Turkey from the overland route between Africa and Asia probably earlier than 100,000 BC.

Ancient nomads started to form communities when the climate began to warm accompanied by cultivating the land near the rivers. : 

Ancient nomads started to form communities when the climate began to warm accompanied by cultivating the land near the rivers.

This underground spring in central Turkey has been used since the Hittites arrival. : 

This underground spring in central Turkey has been used since the Hittites arrival. The Hittites were the first organized inhabitants found in Turkey. Words from their language can be found in Finland and in the Navajo language.

Around 539 BC the tribal King Dareios organized the tribes in Iran. He then conquered Turkey, Greece, and North Africa to form the Persian Empire. : 

Around 539 BC the tribal King Dareios organized the tribes in Iran. He then conquered Turkey, Greece, and North Africa to form the Persian Empire. Hittites museum display

Slide 6: 

Along came Alexander the Great who inherited the Greek throne from his father at the age of 25. He was after revenge, so he sailed across the Dardanelles to Troy in northwest Turkey to conquer Persia and expand the Greek Empire. Sunrise on the Aegean from our gulet

The Greeks found the soil in Turkey to be fertile and the merchants liked the trading activity. So they settled in Anatolia (Turkey). : 

The Greeks found the soil in Turkey to be fertile and the merchants liked the trading activity. So they settled in Anatolia (Turkey). Family farm in central Turkey near Konya Ancient well in Galatia, or central Turkey

Fishing in ancient times was abundant in the waters off Greece and Turkey. : 

Fishing in ancient times was abundant in the waters off Greece and Turkey. Fish market, Istanbul

Slide 9: 

Olive trees adapted to Asian climates and have provided an abundant harvest for thousands of years. Turkey sends their excess olive oil to Italy for export. This olive tree is 2000 years old and counting, because the tree continues to put down new roots.

Slide 10: 

Olives are often harvested by beating the branches with a long stick, The olives fall to the ground on a blanket and are collected to put in a brine or to make olive oil. Olives are a staple in the Mediterranean diet. A nomad harvesting olives.

Slide 11: 

This olive oil press was built in ancient times and is still used by the nomads. It sits in the mountains next to a grove of olive trees.

Nomad children now go to school. These girls came home, by boat, from a neighboring village. They met their parents for the donkey ride up the mountain to their home. They only come home on weekends. : 

Nomad children now go to school. These girls came home, by boat, from a neighboring village. They met their parents for the donkey ride up the mountain to their home. They only come home on weekends.

Slide 13: 

The Romans dominated Anatolia from 30-395 AD. A large part of the population adapted the Greco- Roman “pagan” religion until the pagan temples were destroyed in the 4th- 5th centuries and Christian churches were built.

Ephesus was a port city founded by colonists from Athens in the early 1000’s BC. The city became a major trading and banking center under the Greeks. Later Ephesus became the capitol of the Roman province of Asia. Situated on the Asiatic caravan route, the city was a bridge between East and West. Ephesus later was looted by the Goths, Arabs, Turks and finally the Mongols. The city became abandoned and lay deserted until archeologists uncovered it in the late 1800’s and they are still finding things today. : 

Ephesus was a port city founded by colonists from Athens in the early 1000’s BC. The city became a major trading and banking center under the Greeks. Later Ephesus became the capitol of the Roman province of Asia. Situated on the Asiatic caravan route, the city was a bridge between East and West. Ephesus later was looted by the Goths, Arabs, Turks and finally the Mongols. The city became abandoned and lay deserted until archeologists uncovered it in the late 1800’s and they are still finding things today. The Library of Celsus kept 20,000 papyrus scrolls. It was the third largest library in the world at the time.

Slide 15: 

The Greco-Roman site of Ephesus is one of the largest and best preserved ancient cities in the world. It suffered from many earthquakes through the centuries.

The terrace houses are located in the center of Ephesus on the slopes. The wealthy and ruling classes lived in the city, while the other citizens lived on the outskirts and beyond. : 

The terrace houses are located in the center of Ephesus on the slopes. The wealthy and ruling classes lived in the city, while the other citizens lived on the outskirts and beyond. Floor mosaic

The public toilets in Ephesus had constant flushing water under the street. A Roman citizen would bring a slave to warm the marble seat and watch their belongings. Their long togas made it private. The floor mosaics and partitions are gone. : 

The public toilets in Ephesus had constant flushing water under the street. A Roman citizen would bring a slave to warm the marble seat and watch their belongings. Their long togas made it private. The floor mosaics and partitions are gone. The Romans spread their advanced technology around the empire.

Slide 18: 

Bricks in the hypocaust system helped circulate hot air from the boiler room for the baths. Romans would exercise, clean off, go in a hot water bath, and then a cold water bath all the time socializing. Roman baths, Perge

Slide 19: 

Marble is found in abundance all over Turkey. The Romans learned to burn marble to create lime to make cement. Bathers washed their feet in the long canals before going into the bath, Perge

Slide 20: 

Ancient Lycian temple tombs carved, out of the rocks by slaves hanging from above, for wealthy Romans. They were used because the cliffs had no erosion.

With the end of the ice ages the climate became milder and in Cappadocia ash, sandstone, clay, basalt, and ignimbrite, soft tufa and other minerals that make up the volcanic layer eroded by natural forces and formed unique rock formations. : 

With the end of the ice ages the climate became milder and in Cappadocia ash, sandstone, clay, basalt, and ignimbrite, soft tufa and other minerals that make up the volcanic layer eroded by natural forces and formed unique rock formations. Fairy chimneys, Cappadocia

High rocky hills around the valleys gave safe shelter from outside dangers. Soft tufa rock could be shaped without the use of metals and were used by the civilizations of the area. Because of earthquakes the government has forbidden people from living there today (although we saw people in the dwellings). : 

High rocky hills around the valleys gave safe shelter from outside dangers. Soft tufa rock could be shaped without the use of metals and were used by the civilizations of the area. Because of earthquakes the government has forbidden people from living there today (although we saw people in the dwellings).

People who normally dwelled in houses moved into these underground caves with their domestic animals for security purposes. They had access to water and air and contained all the rooms you would find in a house. Some had 30 connecting dwellings which held 10,000 people. : 

People who normally dwelled in houses moved into these underground caves with their domestic animals for security purposes. They had access to water and air and contained all the rooms you would find in a house. Some had 30 connecting dwellings which held 10,000 people.

Slide 24: 

The tunnels were sealed up with large millstones. The hole in the center allowed a peep or a place to use a spear. This lifestyle went on for centuries. There are 200 known in Turkey today.

Our Turkish hosts eating dinner in their kitchen. They lived on their multi generational 12 acre farm. : 

Our Turkish hosts eating dinner in their kitchen. They lived on their multi generational 12 acre farm. Mom, daughter in law, son, dad, bus driver, other son.

Today every urban household has solar hot water on their roof. : 

Today every urban household has solar hot water on their roof.

The Journeys of St. Paul in Turkey : 

The Journeys of St. Paul in Turkey

Slide 28: 

With his vigor to spread the Gospel Paul spent most of his life traveling over thousands of miles by land and sea, encountering endless difficulties. Most of these journeys were done in the land of present day Turkey and Greece.

Slide 29: 

Saul was born a Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin. He came from a wealthy Jewish family in Tarsus. He was named after Saul, the first king of Israel. He and his family had Roman citizenship. Kurets Street, Ephesus The streets were flushed every night.

Slide 30: 

St. Paul was born in Tarsus, Turkey. Turkey Greece

Slide 31: 

All Jewish boys were taught a trade and Paul was a tent maker. He would use his trade to support himself on his journeys. Perge

Slide 32: 

Saul was sent to Jerusalem to be educated by the great rabbi Gamaliel. His training was according to strict Jewish faith and traditions. During his early years, he took action against the Christians and took part in their persecutions. His name created fear all over the Roman world. Burial tomb found recently in Perge

Slide 33: 

Saul was still persecuting the Christians when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus in Syria. His whole life changed by his conversion (Acts 9:22,26) . Three years later he astonished the Jews when he began preaching the gospels of Christ in their synagogues. An abandoned Greek Church, near Kayakoy, Turkey

Slide 34: 

Saul adapted the Roman version of his name, Paul. He returned to Tarsus in Cilicia (Turkey), his native town. He would have known Hebrew from the synagogue, but his everyday language would have been Greek. After several years he and Barnabas traveled to the church in Antioch of Syria. Outdoor oven in Stratonikeia, 3rd century BC.

Paul and Barnabas worked for a year in Antioch of Syria among the Gentiles who started a Christian church there. They made many converts and helped to organize the church. It was the disciples in Antioch who were first called “Christians”. : 

Paul and Barnabas worked for a year in Antioch of Syria among the Gentiles who started a Christian church there. They made many converts and helped to organize the church. It was the disciples in Antioch who were first called “Christians”. Yufka, traditional large flat bread filled with cheese/meat.

Slide 36: 

Syria Greece Turkey The Gentiles in Antioch of Syria were the first to be called Christians.

The church in Antioch of Syria sent Paul and Barnabas on the first of three missionary journeys. They selected men of courage and determination for this pioneering work. : 

The church in Antioch of Syria sent Paul and Barnabas on the first of three missionary journeys. They selected men of courage and determination for this pioneering work. Hiking on a Roman trail to visit the nomads

Slide 38: 

Paul's journeys started about 45-47 AD, traveling west to the Mediterranean and up into the mountains in central Turkey. Paul was constantly on the move, traveling considerable distances overland and taking ships across the Mediterranean. A street in the Roman village of Sirrnce

Slide 39: 

Paul, Barnabas and Mark John started their first journey on the island of Cyprus, the home of Barnabas. From the island of Cyprus Paul and his companions sailed to Perge, Turkey. Mark John, the evangelist, left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13: 4-15). Sailing on the Aegean

Slide 40: 

Follow the yellow lines for Paul’s his first journey. Greece Turkey Aegean Sea Syria Mediterranean

Slide 41: 

Perge could be reached by sea on the river Kestros in ancient times. It is now seven miles from the old port. Perge grew into a beautiful city and was transformed by artisans into a city of marble. Northern fountain, Perge

From Perge they continued on to Antioch in Pisidia, Turkey. The trails in the mountains were rough; and it took ten days to go 120 miles, averaging 12 miles a day. Paul had to cover most of the area on foot, spending the nights outside in bitter cold or hot temperatures. : 

From Perge they continued on to Antioch in Pisidia, Turkey. The trails in the mountains were rough; and it took ten days to go 120 miles, averaging 12 miles a day. Paul had to cover most of the area on foot, spending the nights outside in bitter cold or hot temperatures.

Slide 43: 

While preaching in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia, Turkey (his first recorded sermon) almost the entire city gathered to hear Paul and Barnabas speak the word of God. The Jews became jealous and sent them out of the city after violent abuse. (Acts 13:44-52) City of Stratonikeia, 3rd century BC

Since the Jews rejected the word of God Paul turned to the Gentiles who responded to the Lord. They made their way east to Iconium. : 

Since the Jews rejected the word of God Paul turned to the Gentiles who responded to the Lord. They made their way east to Iconium. Trails used since ancient times.

Slide 45: 

Follow the yellow lines for Paul’s first journey. Greece Turkey Ephesus Syria Mediterranean Aegean Sea

Iconium was a city set amidst a large fertile, well watered, stoneless plain. This Roman province of Galatia held onto their Greek heritage. It had a significant, but not dominant Jewish community; but was Greek minded. Thus resistance against Paul and Barnabas was not swift and decisive as in other places . : 

Iconium was a city set amidst a large fertile, well watered, stoneless plain. This Roman province of Galatia held onto their Greek heritage. It had a significant, but not dominant Jewish community; but was Greek minded. Thus resistance against Paul and Barnabas was not swift and decisive as in other places . Greek goddess’ in a museum

Slide 47: 

They entered the Jewish synagogue in Iconium and spoke. But the Jewish leaders plotted against them. When they heard about this, Paul and Barnabas fled to the near by town of Lystra. (Acts 14 1:7) (Acts 16:1-4; 18:23). Roman bath, Perge

Slide 48: 

From Iconium Paul and Barnabas walked 25 miles south to Lystra, and then another 30 miles to Derbe (all in Anatolia, Turkey). Paul later wrote to these towns in the Letters to the Galatians.

Slide 49: 

At Lystra there was a crippled man who had never walked. Paul asked him to get up and walk. When the crowds saw this they were agitated and thought Paul and Barnabas were Greek gods. Jews from Iconium and Antioch came and stoned Paul and left him for dead. (Acts 14: 8-19). Rock-cut tombs in Lycia

Slide 50: 

Paul recovered from the stoning and went back into town. The next day Paul left with Barnabas for Derbe. After they made numerous disciples in Derbe they decided to retrace their steps to give reassurances and encouragement to the new Christians .. .(Acts 14: 19-23).

Slide 51: 

Paul and Barnabas would stop on their journeys when they could find people to feed them and offer a place to sleep. The nomads were hospitable people and welcomed travelers. A nomads garden.

Slide 52: 

Water is still collected in cisterns. The water flows into the holes on the side and is stored in a deep hole inside. Paul and Barnabas no doubt stopped for water in such a place.

Slide 53: 

Paul would stay at night in a caravanserai on the Silk Road when available. They had armed guards so it was protection from the night robbers. Restored caravanserai near Iconium Iconium was a bustling Roman trading center but is now a small, quiet town.

Slide 54: 

On his return journey to Perge Paul delivered a sermon. Perge became an important center for Christianity once the faith had become the official religion of the Roman Empire (Acts:14:24-28). Theatre in Perge

Slide 55: 

The first journey lasted about 18 months. Several followers Of Paul went with him on his second journey which revisited the interior towns from the previous journey and then went farther afield west to Troas, Turkey and then to Greece (15:36-40). The fishing village of Simena received running water last year.

Slide 56: 

Follow the red lines for the second journey of St. Paul. Turkey Greece Troy Syria Ephesus Mediterranean Aegean Sea

At Troas, close to the ancient city of Troy, Paul receives his call to cross to Europe (Acts16:6 -19:41).He goes to Macedonia (Bulgaria…) then to Athens and Corinth in Greece. Paul was a strategist. He campaigned in the great cities of the Roman world. He selected centers on trade-routes, sea ports, places where there was much coming and going. From these centers the message would run like wild fire. (Acts 17:1-34). : 

At Troas, close to the ancient city of Troy, Paul receives his call to cross to Europe (Acts16:6 -19:41).He goes to Macedonia (Bulgaria…) then to Athens and Corinth in Greece. Paul was a strategist. He campaigned in the great cities of the Roman world. He selected centers on trade-routes, sea ports, places where there was much coming and going. From these centers the message would run like wild fire. (Acts 17:1-34). Gold relics from the Greek Temple of Artemis, Ephesus

Slide 58: 

In 52 AD Paul started on his third and last journey. He returned to the towns in the interior (Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe) and then overland to Ephesus, a great commercial city that was beginning to silt in during Paul’s time, later to grow to 200,000. This theater at Ephesus was the scene of the demonstration against Paul and his companions by the silversmiths.

Slide 59: 

He sailed to villages along the coast of western Turkey and onto Greece. The Turkish coastline has greatly deteriorated from what it was in ancient times. After traveling to coastal cities in Greece he returned to Corinth. Shopping mall, Perge

Slide 60: 

Follow the green lines for the third journey of St. Paul. Ephesus Turkey Greece Syria Aegean Sea Mediterranean Sea

Slide 61: 

From Corinth, Greece he sailed back to Ephesus and spoke with the elders of the synagogues and debated the kingdom of God with them. When they did not believe, Paul left them. Paul then held daily discussions in the hall of Tyrannus for two years in Ephesus. Jews and Gentiles alike heard the word of the Lord (Acts 19:8-12). Temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Hahrian, 2nd century AD, Ephesus

Slide 62: 

His missionary work in Ephesus ended with the Silversmith Riot which forced Paul to leave. The local silversmiths made their living selling miniature statues of the goddess Artemis to sell to pilgrims coming to visit the gigantic marble Temple of Artemis. The more the Ephesians listened to Paul, the less statues they bought. He was released after a kangaroo court trial, having committed no crime. He continued on his journey to Jerusalem (Acts19:23-40). Cult statue of Artemis, made of superior quality, thin-grain marble, 2st century AD, Ephesus museum

Slide 63: 

Paul left Ephesus and returned to Jerusalem, in spite of the warnings from his friends. There, a mob threatened him. He was placed in prison for two years. Paul demanded a trial since he was a Roman citizen ( Acts 26 :1-23). He was a prisoner two more years in Rome. It is believed he was released and resumed missionary labors, but he was rearrested and beheaded about 67 AD. Prison on the hill, Ephesus

Harbor Street in Ephesus was lined with 400 fancy shops. The harbor silted in and is now four miles away. When discovered the city was found under 15 feet of silt. : 

Harbor Street in Ephesus was lined with 400 fancy shops. The harbor silted in and is now four miles away. When discovered the city was found under 15 feet of silt. Tradition says the Church in Ephesus was established by John the Evangelist and strengthened by Paul. The city became a leading Christian community in Asia.

Slide 65: 

Paul was clearly a singular dynamic force in spreading the Christian gospel; but he also had a significant coterie of helpers, including Silas, Barnabas, Timothy, Silvanus, Luke, John Mark, Titus, Sosthenes, Epaphras and more. St. Paul, Karanlik Church, Cappadocia

Slide 66: 

Paul wrote pastoral letters to communities which he had in many cases founded, because he was concerned for their spiritual welfare. Paul intended his letters to be read in large chunks or as one piece, which is why sometimes his readings are difficult to understand in the Liturgy because they are read in small pieces. Ephesus

St. John’s Church built by the Emperor Justinian in the 4th century near Ephesus. : 

St. John’s Church built by the Emperor Justinian in the 4th century near Ephesus. John may have lived in Ephesus before Paul arrived. John preached in Ephesus after 67 AD and then returned in 95 AD. Tradition says he wrote letters and his gospel here.

Slide 68: 

In 1329 the Ottoman Turks captured Bursa (south of Istanbul) which marked the beginning of the Ottoman Empire. In 1453 the Ottomans captured Constantinople, ending the Byzantine (Roman) Empire. The city was renamed Istanbul. Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Slide 69: 

St. Sophia was completed under Emperor Justinian in 537 AD. It was a Christian Church for a thousand years, until the conquest by the Ottomans. Then all the Turkish Christian churches were converted into mosques. In 1934, Ataturk, the founder of the Republic , proclaimed this church a museum in Istanbul.

Sunset over the hills in Cappadocia : 

Sunset over the hills in Cappadocia

Thanks for traveling to Turkey with us! : 

Thanks for traveling to Turkey with us! Bob and Mary Mgt., Cappadocia, Turkey November 2008