Key sites in Turkey related to Biblical figures

Turkey is rich in Biblical history, featuring key sites that shaped early Christianity.

Visit Ephesus, where the Apostle Paul preached, and the House of Virgin Mary, believed to be her final home. Explore Antioch (Antakya), where followers of Jesus were first called Christians and Tarsus, the birthplace of Apostle Paul. Discover the Seven Churches of Revelation—Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

Experience Cappadocia, where early Christians sought refuge in underground cities. Learn about Constantine the Great, founder of Constantinople (Istanbul), who ended Christian persecution and hosted the Council of Nicaea, where key doctrines were established. The title "Mother of God" (Theotokos) for Mary was confirmed by the First Council of Ephesus, held at the Church of Mary in 431. Let's see them;

EPHESUS - House of Virgin Mary

• The House of Virgin Mary is believed to be where she spent her last days.Believed to be the final home of the Virgin Mary, where she spent her last years under the care of St. John the Apostle.

  
  

  

  House of Mother Mary i near Ephesus is a sacred pilgrimage site visited by millions of Christians annually

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EPHESUS - Church of Mary

• The Church of Mary,  also known as the Church of the Councils because two councils of importance to the history of Early Christianity are assumed to have been held within is located in the south stoa of the Olympieion next to the harbor of Ephesus.

Church of Mother Mary in Ephesus

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EPHESUS - St. John Basilica

• St. John Basilica marks the tomb of St. John the Apostle. St John, one of Jesus' apostles, is said to have lived in Ephesus in his later years, and it is here that he is believed to have written the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation.

The basilica of St John continues to attract millions millions of Christian pilgrims and history enthusiasts

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EPHESUS - Cave of Seven Sleepers,

• The ancient city of Ephesus is believed to be the location where the story of the Seven Sleepers took place. According to Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox Christians, the seven sleepers slept in a cave in Ephesus for centuries because they were persecuted for their belief in Jesus Christ

Cave of Seven Sleepers in Ephesus

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Antakya (Ancient Antioch) - Church of St. Peter

•  The world's very first cathedral dates to the years A.D. 38-39 and was dedicated to the first pope, St. Peter (Pierre). Antioch (Antakya) is known to be the first place where the followers of Jesus were referred to as Christians.

• Ancient Antioch: Mentioned in the Bible as the city where followers of Jesus were first called Christians.

St. Peter used this cave as a place to preach and establish the Christian faith

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TARSUS - St. Paul’s Well:

•  Birthplace of St. Paul, with a historic well thought to be from his family home. It is believed that the well marks a spot where St. Paul’s family may have lived and where he may have drawn water during his early years in Tarsus.

St Paul’s well in Tarsus is visited by pilgrims and tourists tracing St. Paul's footsteps and exploring his origins.

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Pamukkale - St. Philip's Martyrium

• In A.D. 80, St. Philip, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, was crucified in the ancient city of Hierapolis by Emperor Domitian, paving the way for the site to become an important center of religion for the Eastern Roman Empire. Several churches, as well as Philip’s martyrium building from the fifth century, remain as evidence.

  
  

Martyrium of St. Philip in Pamukkale

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Iznik (Nicea) - Site of the First Council of Nicaea

• (325 AD), where the Nicene Creed was formulated a statement of Christian faith that continues to be used by many Christian denominations today.

The Hagia Sophia of Iznik adds to the town's significance, being a site of both Christian and Islamic heritage

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Cappadocia - Early Christian settlements

• Carved into the rocks, these churches were used by early Christians seeking refuge from Roman persecution.

The Saklı Church in Cappadocia is a hidden gem that reflects the rich Christian history of the region.

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DEMRE / MILAS - St. Nicholas Church

• The church in Antalya's Demre district is known as the birthplace of St. Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus.

The church of St. Nicholas in Demre, better known as Santa Claus.

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ISPARTA / YALVAC - St. Paul's Church

• Between 42-62 CE Paul the Apostle traveled throughout the Mediterranean on his evangelical missions preaching the new religion of the risen Christ. He arrived in the region in A.D. 46 and preached a sermon to the Jewish community at a synagogue. He returned two more times and the site was later declared a pilgrimage center. St. Paul's Church is known as the earliest and largest basilica in Anatolia.

  
  

  

  St. Paul's Church is known as the earliest and largest basilica in Anatolia.

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TURKEY - The Seven Churches of Revelation

• Ephesus near Izmir - Smyrna in Izmir - Pergamon near Izmir -Thyateira in Manisa- Sardis in Manisa -Philadelphia in Manisa - Laodicia in Denizli

  These are seven major churches of early Christianity, as mentioned in the New Testament. The Book of Revelation addresses seven letters to the seven churches, all located in Turkey. Each letter, as proclaimed by Jesus and recorded by John the Apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches, warning each community to repent.

1 Ephesus, Izmir province, western Turkey

2 Smyrna, Izmir province, western Turkey.

3 Pergamon, Izmir province, western Turkey

4 Thyateira, Manisa province, western Turkey.

5 Sardis, Manisa province, western Turkey

6 Philadelphia, Manisa province, western Turkey

7 Laodicea, Denizli province, western Turkey