Day 01
Isthmus Canal & Ancient Corinth Biblical Tour
Isthmus Canal
- Visit the Isthmus Canal, one of the most important projects of the 19th century, an engineering masterpiece, playing a catalytic role for Mediterranean trade.
Ancient Diolkos
- Discover the ancient limestone roads where boat trailers, slaves, ox and other animals were used to heave boats from the Corinthian Gulf to the Saronic sea controlling over 270 Greek colonies. All coastal Mediterranean cities today were once Greek. This brought the geographical and geopolitical dominance of Corinth and played a catalytic role in why the apostle Paul chose to stay for 18 months in Corinth and why he was adamant in establishing his ministry there.
Acrocorinth
- Hadgimoustafa spring: a fountain built during the Ottoman empire in 1555 AD.
- Running water from the Upper Pieriene spring accidentally discovered when Pegasus hit his hoof trying to fly away from Velerefonte is still flowing today.
- Acrocorinth, the acropolis of ancient Corinth, a monolithic rock 1886 ft above sea level with 4.9 miles of walls - keep and three gates. One of the most impressive and dominant natural defence fortifications today. Remains of churches, mosques, houses and cisterns together with the temple of Aphrodite that once stood can be appreciated. This is where Pegasus, the winged horse grazed. From here we also admire the Frankish tower, breathtaking views of the valley below, the Corinthian and Saronic sea.
Ancient Corinth
- Citae Madre
- Visit the Neo Byzantine church of the Virgin Mary, admiring the marble plaque which reads The Hymns of Love - First Corinthians 13 1:8 and 'The Greatest of these is Love" which is found in First Corinthians 13:13.
- Visit the Neo Byzantine church dedicated to the apostle Paul analysing the 'Vision of the apostle Paul' and Paul's life in Corinth. A wonderful mosaic by Vlasis Tsotsonis depicting Saul on his way to Damascus in 34 AD to persecute the Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem. Hearing the voice and blinded by the light we discuss his transition and understand his hardships in the city of Corinth including his 'judgement' by Gallio Acts 9 10:19 ACTS 18 12:17
- Archaeological Museum: Housing a large collection of artifacts from the local site and from smaller sites in the neighboring area we appreciate the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman world.
Archaeological site:
- Temple of Apollo: One of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland with Doric monolithic columns, rare in the ancient world, built around 560 BCE or 1400 BCE
- The Roman Agora: A rectangular construction 160 m long and 70 m wide, consisting of central shops. Small temples and altars, Roman buildings, the ancient amphitheatre, the Roman Odeon, the Glaufkus fountain, the Roman baths, the Lechaion road, the Roman forum and the renowned podium or Bema from where the Apostle Paul was 'judged' and presented officially for the first time to the Greeks and Romans as a Roman Citizen. It is on this platform that he preached the Belief. ACTS 18 12:17
- Enjoy an authentic "village style" lunch in Ancient Corinth or seaside lunch at the Baths of Helen of Troy
- Stroll amongst the village shops where you can treat yourself and buy handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.
Kechries port
- Visit the ancient port of Kenchreai or Cenchreae by the Saronic sea one of the two ports of the inland city state of Corinth.Tracing the footsteps of the Apostle Paul and his exodus from Corinth in 53 AD sailing to Ephesus with Aquila and Prescila we discuss the Nazarite vow- the cutting of the hair AC 18:18.
