Footsteps of Paul- Berea

 

                         Modern Veria is the site for Biblical Berea. 

            This city lies in the southwestern part of Macedonia                             

                     and is about 73 km from Thessaloniki,

                                north of Mount Olympus. 

                  This area was a successful farming center 

                            because of the access to water.  

           The area is rich in apple, peach and pear orchards.

        There are very few excavations for Biblical artifacts here.

             This monument honors the connection to St. Paul 

           and his time in Berea. Acts 20:4 mentions the first 

          convert of the Berean church. The city was Roman 

              after the Battle of Pydna in 168 BCE and became 

                    well populated as the Egnation Way 

                         ran just north of the city.

               We know that Paul left Thessalonica 

              and went to Berea in Acts 17:10 and taught 

                             in the synagogue there. 

            The people there were hungry for the Good News

                and wanted to hear more about "this Jesus."

                     We know that many honorable women 

                          and men believed- Acts 17:12.

                          Unfortunately, the drama from Thessalonica 

          followed them to Berea. Jewish leaders came to the city

                                  and spoke against Paul. 

                      This caused Paul to leave for Athens, 

              but he left Silas and Timothy there to take care

                   of the believers in Berea and Thessalonica.

                   This site marks the story of St. Paul in Berea.

     

               The Christian community flourished in this city 

                         especially during the Middle Ages.

The "Triptych monument" here is in honor of St. Paul's work

with several large mosaics.