St. Paul in Turkey - sites of religious interest
Tarsus
St. Paul was born in Tarsus in the year AD10. Paul’s birth name
was Saul but being a Roman citizen he changed it to the Latinised version. Tarsus
is south of the famous Cilician Gates pass, a trail used throughout history by
many religious figures in Anatolia’s past. Paul was encouraged by Barnabas to join
the ministry of Antioch whilst at Tarsus.
Myra (Demre)
Myra is one of many ancient coastal cities that Paul visited along
with Luke and Aristarcus (Acts 27:5-6). In Myra they swapped boats on their way to Rome, helped by
Roman centurion Julius, who found them a ship from Alexandria heading to Rome
by the way of Cnidos, another important coastal town in the north.
Myra is also the site most associated with St. Nicholas.
Patara
Patara is a site visited by Paul along with Luke during their third missionary following their visit to
Miletos. In Patara they changed to a larger and stronger boat suitable for the trip
across the Mediterranean Sea to Rome.
Ephesus
Ephesus, the most preserved site in the whole of Turkey, was the home of the Temple of Artemis,
considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world. St. Paul, St. John and the Virgin
Mary all visited the city during Roman times. Ephesus was the first of the seven churches of revelation.