The footsteps of St. Paul in Turkey

A Christian Pilgrimage to Turkey is a journey in the footsteps of St. Paul, one of the most famous early Christian missionaries. Born within Turkey's borders and the founder of the first Christian communities in Turkey.Even though people from different religions constitute the population of Turkey, there is a strong Christian influence out there that cannot be denied. Some of the famous churches located there are The Armenian Apostolic Church, Bulgarian St. Stephen Church, St. Paul Orthodox Church.Paul became blind and did not eat or drink for three days. In Damascus, the Lord sent a disciple called Ananias to him, who restored his vision, filled him with the Holy Spirit and baptized him.Apostle Paul forever changed the course of Christianity, his missionary journeys spreading the gospel of Christ and founding some of the world's first ever churches. For many years he journeyed across Asia Minor, now modern day Turkey, the chronicles portrayed in numerous books in the New Testament.

The House of the Virgin Mary(Mother Mary)Ephesus,Turkey

The House of the Virgin Mary (Turkish: Meryemana Evi or Meryem Ana Evi, "Mother Mary's House") is a Catholic shrine located on Mt. Koressos (Turkish: Bülbüldağı, "Mount Nightingale") in the vicinity of Ephesus, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Selçuk in Turkey.According to predominant Christian belief, Mary was brought to Ephesus by the Apostle John after the Resurrection of Christ and lived her final days there. This is based on the belief that John came to Ephesus combined with the Biblical statement that Jesus consigned her to John's care (John 19:26-27).Ephesus has had a long tradition of being a centre of religious pilgrimage. The earliest pilgrims arrived to worship the Anatolian goddess known as Kybele. Later, this deity merged with the Greek goddess Artemis and was venerated at the great Artemision, attracting the pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean region. These ancient cults of female deities were later echoed in the worship of St. Mary, mother of Jesus, that supposedly spent the last years of her life in Ephesus. According to this tradition, Mary arrived at Ephesus together with St. John and lived there until her Assumption (according to the Catholic doctrine) or Dormition (according to the Orthodox beliefs). The House of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Evi in Turkish) which can be still visited today, is a place where, according to the beliefs of many people, Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent the last years of her life. However, similarly to the history of St. John, there are many questions and uncertainties regarding this location.Christian Historians and religious experts agree that Saint John, Saint Paul, and the Virgin Mary lived in the ancient city of Ephesus that these days is one of Turkey’s top attractions. However, the discovery of the Virgin Mary’s house was from an unexpected source. In the early 19th century, a Christian nun named Anne Catherine Emmerich took to her bed, where she dreamed intensely. Some sources accused her of religious ecstasy, while others said she had contracted a fever. Her dreams and visions included stories of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Akdamar Church, Akdamar Island in Lake Van, Eastern Turkey

Akdamar (or Akhtamar) Church is one of the most astounding historical sites in Turkey. Located on the Akdamar Island in Turkey’s largest lake, Lake Van, Akdamar Church is one of the finest examples of the Armenian Orthodox religious complexes in Turkey.The origin of the name of the island is unknown. An old legend says that an Armenian princess named Tamara had fallen in love with a peasant boy. The boy used to swim to the island every day after sunset, and Tamara would guide him by holding a lantern to show her lover the direction. One day, her father learned about the boy and broke the lantern. The boy was unable to find his way in the dark, which caused him to drown in the middle of the lake. Apparently, he died wailing: “Oh, Tamara! Oh, Tamara!" The church and the island are named after his last words.Akdamar Church was built between 915-921 by the architect Manuel, following the order of the Armenian King Gagik I Ardzruni, who was the ruler of the Kingdom of Vaspurakan.

St. Anthony of Padua Church, Istanbul, Turkey

St. Anthony of Padua Church (Sent Antuan Bazilikası) is both the largest Catholic church and home of the largest Catholic congregation in Istanbul, Turkey.As the largest Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul, the Church of St. Anthony of Padua stands as a symbol of Catholicism's history in Turkey.Locally known as Sent Antuan, the church of St. Anthony of Padua is the largest church of the Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul, Turkey. Built between 1906 and 1912, at the site where it stands today, this church looks stunning with its Venetian Neo-Gothic style of architecture. Designed by the Istanbulite Levantine architect Giulio Mongeri, who also designed many other important buildings in Istanbul and Ankara, this church adds to the artistic beauty and religious faith of Istanbul.The Catholic Church in Turkey is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and the canonical leadership of the curia in Rome that is submitted to the Pope.

St.John's Basilica Ephesus, Turkey

The Basilica of St. John Evangelist was a basilica in Ephesus. It was constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century. It stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. It was modeled after the now lost Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.St. John Evangelist came to Ephesus with Mother Mary after the crucifixion of Jesus. He first wrote the Book of Revelation where he was on exile on Patmos Island and completed The Gospel of John at Ephesus where he lived here for the rest of his life. He requested to be buried on Ayasuluk Hill in Selcuk because he found it peaceful.It is traditionally believed that John was the youngest of the apostles and survived them. He is said to have lived to old age, dying at Ephesus sometime after AD 98, during the reign of Trajan.It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St John was changed into a marvelous basilica during the region of Emperor Justinian (527 -565 AD).The second half of the first century was full of persecution for the early Christians.Apostle James and Stephen were killed in Jerusalem.Paul was sent to Rome and executed. According to tradition John took The Mother Mary and came to Ephesus.He wrote his Gospel in Ephesus and the Revelation in Greece Island, Patmos in 96AD.

Enjoy your Holy Pilgrim in Turkey with Yashroon International.

The average cost of a Turkey can range from PKR 499,000 to PKR 700,000 depending on whether you are looking for a luxury arrangement, a leisure long-stay trip with your significant other. you will find in this cost

. Turkey Tourist Visa

. Air Return Ticket from (Islamabad-Istanbul-Islamabad)

. Domestic Air Return Ticket from (Istanbul-Ephesus-Istanbul)

. Best Place to stay in Three Star Hotel

. Daily Breakfast

. Ephesus city Tour for(St.John's Basilica ,Footsteps of St. Paul and The House Virgin Mary)