Footsteps of Paul- Corinth

 

The Acropolis of Corinth - also called the Acrocorinth-

stands as a huge outcrop of rock in Corinth. 

This high peak was home to the Temple of Aphrodite 

and had over 1,000 sacred prostitutes.

The Temple later was turned into a Christian church

 and then a mosque.

Corinth is located on the Isthmus of Corinth 

which is the narrow land that joins the mainland 

of Greece with the Peloponnesus. 

It is halfway between Athens and Sparta.

Corinth was one of the largest cities in Greece 

and because of its location it became very rich.

In 146 BC, Corinth was captured by the Romans 

who were very cruel. They burned the city and killed all

 of the men and the women and children 

were sold into slavery.

The city was abandoned until Julius Caesar began to use it

 as a place to retire his troops in 44 BC. 

The city regrew to include Jews, Greeks and Romans. 

The strategic location was an important detail for St. Paul.

 He first visited the city in AD 51 or 52.

He stayed for 18 months, started the church there and 

worked with Priscilla and Aquila.

The remains of the Temple of Apollo.

This sixth-century B.C. ruin is one of the oldest 

stone temples in Greece. It is built on a hill overlooking

 the Agora-(marketplace).

This Temple was still functioning in Paul's time. 

It was eventually destroyed by an earthquake, 

but these original Doric columns still stand. 

Shops along the Forum were a busy spot in Corinth.

The city was known for its immorality. 

To "corinthisize" something meant to corrupt it. 

The Isthmian Games were held here the year before

 and the year after the Olympics. This brought huge crowds

 to the city who stayed in tent communities and this helped

Paul's tent making business.

Our guide said the party was the coming together of the

 Olympics and the Super Bowl in a Las Vegas environment. 

Throw in 1000's of sailors coming to port 

and the temple prostitutes.

Paul would have also been interested in all those who came

 to visit the Asclepion, a temple dedicated to the deified 

Greek physician Asclepius.

We know that Paul visited Corinth for about 3 months

 when he wrote the book of Romans.  (Acts 20:3)

Paul reasoned in the synagogue here in Corinth.

This is the BEMA in the Roman Forum. 

The leaders would have set on this platform 

when Paul was brought before them.

Paul would have stood on the ground 

by the stand (Top right) before Gallio-

 the Roman Governor when the Corinthians brought 

charges against him. (c. A.D. 52)

A sharp-eyed member of our group spotted this in the ruins.

CONCORDIA.

Concordia was the Roman goddess of harmony and peace.

In my faith community,

 it is a meaningful name for schools and seminaries

 in our Lutheran tradition.

Corinth was destroyed by earthquakes in A.D. 365 and

 375 and by a Visigoth invasion in 396. Walls were erected

 in the 6th century to protect it but it continued to decline.

There are many significant ties to Paul at this site.

It is easy to imagine him living here.