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Thursday, December 15, 2022

Footsteps of Paul- Thessaloniki

 

Thessaloniki and Harbor

The Medieval Wall in the city is over three kilometers
 and includes six towers in the city.

Basilica of St. Demetrius-
 the Patron Saint of the city of Thessaloniki.
In the fourth century, this city became the main residence
 of the Roman Emperor Galerius. Under his edict, Christians
 came under severe persecution. 
In A.D. 306 a roman officer named Demetrius 
was martyred for his Christian Faith.
This church has been rebuilt over 
and over with many additions.
This is a beautiful Church. 

Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece. 
It was founded in 315 B.C by King Cassander of Macedonia
 who named the city after his wife- Thessaloniki, 
the half-sister of Alexander the Great.
By the Roman period, the important metropolis 
was a hub of trade and commerce in the East.

Here is a restored part of a Roman road 
as we came into the city. 
 Looking down from a bridge above.
We know from Acts 17 that Paul was here 
and preached in the Jewish synagogue for three Sabbaths.
Philippians 4:16 tells us that Paul stayed here 
for an extended period working as a tent-maker 
in order to share the gospel with the gentiles.
The church here was very important to his missionary strategy
 and he sent Timothy to check on them under persecution.
1 Thess. 3:2-10

This White Tower is a waterfront monument and museum
 replaced a 12th century Byzantine fortification. 
Later on it became famous with mass executions 
during the Ottoman rule. 
In Turkish times it was called the Bloody Tower.
It is now the crest- or symbol of the city.
This ancient Agora was built 
between 42 B.C and AD 138.
 It is most likely the site where Paul 
preached to the Thessalonians.
In ancient Greek cities the Agora was an open space
that served as a meeting ground 
for various activities of the citizens.
This Ancient Agora was revealed during 
archaeological  excavations in 1966.
There are still active preservations at this site.


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