Study
Abroad Opportunities
ASHLAND
UNIVERSITY/GREEK CENTER FOR BIBLICAL STUDIES
March 7-16, 2008
Religion 301G Topics in Religion:
Footsteps of the Apostle Paul
Students will explore the social and cultural world of early Christianity
by following the travels of the apostle Paul throughout Greece.
Special attention will be paid to locations that Paul visited during
his second missionary journey as recorded in the Biblical book of
Acts. These will be studied in conjunction with Pauline letters
written to early Christian communities in Thessalonica, Philippi
and Corinth.
3 credit hours.
For enrollment contact:
Dr. David Aune
GREECE: ITINERARY
March 7 & 8 -
Day 1/2 Depart USA/Arrive Thessaloniki, Greece
March 9 - Day 3
Thessaloniki: Cultural Orientation and Introduction to the life
of the Apostle Paul. Basic Greek Language Lesson. Tour of Thessaloniki
including the following sites: White Tower, Arch of Galerius, St.
Demetrios Orthodox Church, Roman Forum. Dinner and overnight.
March 10 - Day 4
Philippi: Following breakfast we depart for Philippi. We visit the
port of Philippi, the biblical city of Neapolis (today called Kavala)
and tour the port and mosaic of Paul before venturing on to Philippi.
At Philippi we visit the site of Lydia’s baptism followed
by a tour of the archaeological site: Bema, Forum, Basilicas, Theater,
City Walls, and traditional location of Paul’s imprisonment.
Return to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.
March 11 - Day 5
Berea/Vergina: After breakfast
we travel to Vergina, site of the Royal Tombs and Palace of Philip
II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. We explore the museum
and the Macedonian Tombs with their priceless artifacts, wall paintings,
and edifices. We continue our travel to Berea to see the Rostrum
of Paul and the Jewish Quarter with its Synagogue. Our emphasis
is upon Paul and his Synagogue Sermon (Acts 13). The afternoon allows
us time for a hike on the Mt. Olympus range. Dinner and overnight
in Thessaloniki.
March 12 - Day 6
Meteora: Departing Thessaloniki we travel to Thessaly and central
Greece. We visit the monasteries of Meteora perched high atop towering
rock formations. We are introduced to Eastern Orthodoxy with an
orientation to basic doctrine, beliefs, and practices. During the
afternoon we continue to Athens for dinner & overnight.
March 13 - Day 7
Athens: Our tour of Athens includes a visit to the Acropolis, Parthenon,
Erectheion, Temple of Athena Nike, Propylia, and Acropolis Museum.
We also visit the Areopagus (Mar’s Hill) and examine the sermon
of Paul to the Athenians. We visit the Agora museum. The afternoon
brings us into the Plaka for a walking orientation of this historic
district plus Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Temple of Zeus, and Hadrian’s
Arch. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
March 14 - Day 8 
Corinth: Crossing the Isthmian Canal we visit ancient Corinth where
we see the Temple of Apollo, agora, bema, Peirene Fountain and stoa.
While in the agora we celebrate the Lord's Supper and spend time
in worship. We also examine Paul's cultural context of life in the
urban centers of the Roman world. Dinner and overnight in Athens.
March 15 - Day 9
Athens: Free Day. We offer our concluding remarks on Greece and
the significance of the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Closing dinner
and overnight in Athens.
March 16 - Day 10
Athens to USA