Greece and Turkey, October 2012

Greetings Singers and Pilgrims!

Welcome to website of the Archdiocesan Pilgriamge Choir. Plans are underway for out tenth trip and we'll follow the footsteps of Saint Paul as we travel to Greece and Turkey in October 2012.
If you've visited this site before, note the changes of the date for this trip! Brochures with the final cost are now available. The first deposit is due on March 9.

Day 1 October 7, Sunday
This evening, depart Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chicago O’Hare International Airport via United and Turkish Airlines for our journey to Istanbul, Turkey.

Day 2 October 8, Monday
Upon arrival in Istanbul, the city that strides two continents and once was the seat of power for two world empires, the Byzantine and the Ottoman. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Istanbul.

Day 3 October 9, Tuesday
Today, you will explore the monuments of Istanbul, which had once been the capital of East Roman, and then the Ottoman Empire. You will visit the Hippodrome Square, the former center of sports and political activities of Constantinople. See the Obelisk, Serpentine Column from Delphi, and fountain of Wilhelm II. Then, enter the Blue Mosque. This 16th century edifice is famous for its tiles made by the masters of Niacea. This is the most famous monument in both the Turkish and Islamic world; it is the only Mosque built with six minarets, decorated with famous Izmir tiles. Then, make your way to the first monumental church of the Byzantines, Hagia Sophia. Its dome rests at a height of 180 ft. and will embrace your soul with its grandeur. Built by Constantine in the 4th century, it was reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th Century. Today, it is a magnificent monument representing the influence of two religions: Christianity and Islam. This afternoon, a visit to the Grand Bazaar will be scheduled, one of the most interesting and irresistible attractions of Istanbul. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Istanbul.

Day 4 October 10, Wednesday
After Mass, visit Imperial Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries. The palace is well known for its display of the royal treasures, including the legendary Spoonmaker’s Diamond. You will be guided through this oriental palace and view the world’s richest porcelain collection of the Ming Dynasty of China. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Istanbul on your own. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 5 October 11, Thursday
This morning, we leave Istanbul International Airport for your continuing flight to Athens, Greece. Visits will include the most famous site in Greece, the Athens Acropolis, and the famed Parthenon—for centuries the symbol of Athens. Visit Mars Hill, where Paul addressed the councilors and philosophers of the Areopagus. (Acts 17.16-34.) Then, continue to visit the Olympic Stadium of 1896, Temple of Zeus, Royal Palace, Syntagma Square, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldiers, Arch of Hadrian, Olympic Complex of 2004 Games, and the Academy University National Library. If time permits, visit the important Byzantine Museum. The collection traces the growth of Byzantine Christianity from the early centuries to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Today’s Mass and small concert will be at Sacred Heart Church. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Athens.

Day 6 October 12, Friday
Leisurely breakfast at the hotel. This morning, you will be transferred to Piraeus Harbor in time for the 11:00 am boarding of our cruise ship. Mykonos. Our first stop is Mykonos, known as a party island, with lots of shops and clubs. But this aspect does not obscure the beauty of this Greek island, with its hundreds of tiny chapels dotting the landscape and sheep grazing in the shadow of white-washed windmills. While on the island of Mykonos, participants can browse on their own. (Guided Mykonos shore excursion is not included on this day.) Dinner and overnight aboard the cruise ship.

Day 7 October 13, Saturday
Today, we arrive in Kusadasi, Turkey. We travel by bus to Ephesus, the best preserved of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev. 2.1-7). St. Paul made Ephesus his headquarters, spending over two years here and writing his First Letter to the Corinthians from this place. Later in the first century St. John ministered here for many years. We will visit the ancient city with its impressive temples, marble streets, library, agoras, baths and a theater that seats 24,000 people, where riots against Paul took place. We also will visit the House of the Virgin Mary where St. John brought Mary to Ephesus after the death of Christ. A small house was built for her on Bulbuldagi (Mt.Nightingale) where she spent the last days of her life. You will visit the beautiful chapel called Panaya Kapula, also known as “The House of the Virgin Mary,” built on the mount Setimisses. Pope Paul VI prayed here during his visit to Turkey in 1967. Celebrate Mass at the House of the Virgin Mary.Patmos (Rev. 1.9.) This afternoon, we sail to Patmos, where St. John wrote the Book of Revelation during his exile. We will visit the cave where he lived and then at the Monastery of St. John, built on one of the island’s highest points, we will be able to examine priceless icons and manuscripts housed in its museum. Three meals and overnight aboard the cruise ship.

This beautiful island has a rich and varied history. We will have a chance to explore the Old Town of Rhodes, with its many historical sites. Here, the crusading Knights of St. John left the medieval city of Rhodes behind when Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent defeated them. The Ottoman Turks then occupied Rhodes for almost 400 years leaving mosques, minarets and a Turkish bath to mark their presence. Celebrate scheduled Mass at the Cathedral in Rhodes Next, we will travel by bus to the town of Lindos. Here, we have the opportunity to walk up the steep hill to the ancient acropolis. From the top, we can see St. Paul’s Bay, where the Apostle may have landed during his voyages to Jerusalem. We can explore the ruins from crusader times, as well as view the impressive archeological work being done on the ancient Temple of Athena, one of the most sacred temples in ancient Greece. Ephesus (Acts 19.1 – 20.1.) Three meals and overnight aboard the cruise ship.

Day 8 October 14, Sunday
This morning, arrive in Santorini, which some believe to be the site of the lost city of Atlantis. Viist the village of Fira, perched on teh rim of a volcano that destroyed the island in about 1630 BC. Sunday mass will be at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Santorini. After lunch, we take a cable car to the top of Caldera for a spectaculat view. Plenty of time for shopping and browsing.


Day 9 October 15, Monday
Disembark the cruise ship for our excursion to visit Corinth. Stop briefly en route to see the Corinth Canal, the famous man-made construction called one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Then, continue on our excursion to visit Corinth, where Paul wrote Thessalonians I and also, most likely, his Epistle to the Romans. Judging from Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth, this group of Christians was a particular challenge to the Apostle! We will visit the extensive archeological site, viewing the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Agora, the Bema where his enemies brought Paul before Gallio, the pavement inscription of Erastus, the Roman Lechaion Road, and the lower Fountain of Peirene. We will see the imposing mass of the Acrocorinth, an 1,800-foot hill which rises high above the ancient city. Here, in the first century, there was a large number of shrines and temples, dominated by the Temple of Aphrodite. It was also the location of a series of fortifications built during ancient and medieval times and continuing through the successive chain of Franco, Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish supremacy. Mass and Liturgical Concert at Sacred Heart Church.Then, we continue to Cenchreae - Acts 18.18, the capital of the most powerful, brilliant and sovereign influence in Greece for several centuries. We will enter Mycenae through the impressive Lion Gate, the oldest example of monumental sculpture in Europe. Inside the walls, excavations have uncovered the palace complex, a grave circle with six royal tombs, courtiers’ houses, sanctuaries and other important buildings. We will also visit the recently opened museum, which houses an excellent collection of artifacts related to the Mycenaean Empire. We will pass the old harbor of Cenchreae, from which Paul sailed to Ephesus. Then, we continue to Athens for hotel check in. Freshen up. Farewell taverna dinner followed by Greek floorshow. Overnight at hotel in Athens.

Day10 October 16, Tuesday
After breakfast, transfer to Athens International Airport for your return flight to the USA.