7 Nights / 8 Days
The House of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic shrine located on Mt. Koressos in the vicinity of Ephesus, about 4.3 miles from Selcuk, Turkey. The house was discovered in the 19th century by following the descriptions in the reported visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824), a Roman Catholic nun and visionary, which were published as a book by Clemens Brentano after her death. Mary's House maintains a steady flow of pilgrimage since its discovery. Anne Catherine Emmerich was Beatified by Saint John Paul II on October 3, 2004. Catholic pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine) or Dormition. The shrine has merited several papal Apostolic Blessings and visits from several popes, the earliest pilgrimage coming from Pope Leo XIII in 1896, and the most recent in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI.Lunches
Tips to your guide & driver
Items of a personal nature.
Make your way to your local airport where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.
Connect flight to Thessaloniki. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Time to relax, meet your fellow pilgrims, dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Visit Philippi where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, sowing the seeds of Christianity. "And from there (He went) to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remained in this city some days..." Acts 16:12-18 Here Paul baptized a certain woman named Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe. The Roman forum, completely excavated, is from after Paul's time. Among the ruins, located on the rocky ledge above the town's main road is the prison where Paul and Silas were thrown. Continue into the modern port city of Kavala, ancient Neapolis, where Paul accompanied by Silas, Luke and Timothy, first set foot in Europe. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki city-tour. Paul preached in Thessaloniki during the winters of 49-50 AD and wrote two epistles to the ancient Thessalonians. See the ramparts of the city, the triumphal Arch of Galerius starting at the Via Egnatia, once a strategic artery of the Roman Empire. Depart for Kalambaka, Meteora Monasteries. Dinner and overnight in Kalambaka.
Visit Meteora Monasteries. Among striking scenery, perched on top of huge rocks, that seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Continue to Delphi.
Visit Delphi, the center of the ancient world (navel) of the earth, whose prestige extended far beyond the boundaries of the Hellenic world. On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, in a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty, lie the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo Phthios. Visit the site and the museum and continue to Athens.“ Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription “ to an unknown God”. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you…”. Athens, is one of the most glorious cities in the world and the cradle of western civilization as we know it today. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. For twenty five centuries, the panorama of this city is dominated by the rock of the Acropolis; we see the ruins of the Parthenon, the Erectheum and the Propylae. Afterwards, we will ascend Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about the one and only * God. From here we have an excellent view of the ancient agora; former center of the Athenian public life. We continue for a drive through the city to see the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square, the evzones in their picturesque uniforms guarding the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We also see the Library, the University, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympics of the modern era were held, the temple of the Olympian Zeus and Adrian’s Arch. This afternoon we continue our tour to Ancient Corinth. Here, under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile Church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and prompted him to write, at least, four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of the first century shops, the agora where Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of Apollo and the Bema. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast depart to Athens airport for return flights to the USA.
Since 1985, we have been building a solid reputation and a very loyal customer base. We are committed to doing our part so that each client has an unforgettable grace filled journey.
All of our pilgrimages are accompanied by a Priest, who celebrates Mass daily, daily Rosary, and is available for Confession
We operate regularly scheduled pilgrimages (Tours 1 - 226) year-round, with monthly departures. We also offer many "Special Pilgrimages" - whose itinerary may revolve around a special event (Canonizations, Beatifications etc), or has been arranged by a particular group leader, priest or Church.
Depart from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, and we will arrange you on the most direct flight, available at the time of your booking, from your hometown.
If you are looking to encounter God, in the very places where He has revealed himself, or, to experience these sites in a unique way, join us. Take in all of the sites and inclusions from our standard pilgrimage, along with lectures and stories, in the accompaniment of some of the Catholic Church's most revered members.
206 Tours destinations: The Holy Land, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Medjugorje, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Greece, Argentina, Ireland, Germany, Hungary and Mexico.
A Tour Guide will meet you in your arrival city, and stay with you throughout your pilgrimage until you dropped off at the Airport for your return flight home. Read More...
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