Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 — Monday, October 19 | Departure from the United States 
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on an overnight flight to Istanbul. As we set out together, we entrust our journey to God, offering an opening prayer for safe travel and for the spiritual fruits of the days ahead. Mass will be celebrated upon arrival.

Day 2 — Tuesday, October 20 | Arrival in Istanbul 
We arrive in Istanbul and meet our Catholic guide before transferring to our hotel. A panoramic city orientation introduces us to this historic crossroads of civilizations, including views of the Golden Horn and the ancient city walls. Mass is celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on Istiklal Street, followed by a welcome dinner and pilgrimage briefing. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 — Wednesday, October 21 | Byzantine Constantinople 
We begin the day with Mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Our pilgrimage continues through ancient Constantinople as we visit Hagia Sophia, walk through the Hippodrome area, enter the Blue Mosque, and tour the Cistern of Emperor Justinian. Free time is provided before dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4 — Thursday, October 22 | Prayer, Culture, and the Bosphorus 
After celebrating Mass at our hotel, we travel to the St. Savior Orthodox Museum in Chora to admire its renowned Byzantine mosaics. Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant, followed by free time in Istanbul. In the evening, we gather for a sunset Bosphorus cruise, taking in the beauty of the city from the water. Dinner is on our own, with overnight in Istanbul.

Day 5 — Friday, October 23 | Nicaea, Sardis, and Journey to Izmir 
Departing Istanbul, we travel to Iznik, ancient Nicaea, where we pause for prayer near the site of the First Council of Nicaea, where the Nicene Creed was proclaimed. We continue to two of the Seven Churches of Revelation, stopping at the ruins of Sardis before arriving in Izmir, the ancient Smyrna. Mass is celebrated at St. John’s Cathedral, followed by dinner and overnight accommodations in Izmir.

Day 6 — Saturday, October 24 | Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary 
A full day is devoted to Ephesus, one of the most important cities of the early Christian world. We walk the Marble Road, visit the Agora, and stand in the Great Theater associated with St. Paul’s ministry. We then journey to the House of the Virgin Mary, where we celebrate Mass, followed by a visit to the ruins of the Church of St. John the Apostle. We return to Izmir for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 — Sunday, October 25 | Pergamum, Troy, and Canakkale 
We begin the day with Mass at St. Polycarp Church, pending confirmation. Our pilgrimage continues to Pergamum, another of the Seven Churches of Revelation, followed by a visit to the ancient ruins of Troy. We proceed to the Aegean coastal city of Canakkale for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Day 8 — Monday, October 26 | Crossing into Greece and Philippi 
We depart early from Canakkale and journey by motorcoach to the Greek border, continuing onward to Kavala, biblical Neapolis, where St. Paul first entered Europe. We then visit St. Lydia’s Baptistry and the Krenides River. We celebrate a private Catholic Mass in English at the riverside outdoor Baptistry of St. Lydia, the first European convert to Christianity. Our pilgrimage continues with visits to the ruins of Philippi, where St. Paul preached and where St. Paul and St. Silas were imprisoned. We continue to Thessaloniki for dinner and overnight.

Day 9 — Tuesday, October 27 | Thessaloniki and Veroia 
Mass in Thessaloniki. After a brief coach tour of Thessaloniki, we visit the Bema where St. Paul preached. We then drive south toward Athens, check in to our hotel, and gather for dinner. Overnight in Athens.

Day 10 — Wednesday, October 28 | Athens and the Footsteps of St. Paul 
We begin with a brief coach tour of Athens, followed by visits to the Areopagus and the Acropolis. Time is provided for free exploration. Mass is celebrated at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Dionysius the Areopagite. Dinner and overnight in Athens.

Day 11 — Thursday, October 29 | Corinth and Cenchreae We take a half-day excursion to Ancient Corinth, where St. Paul lived and preached for eighteen months. Mass in Corinth. On our return, we stop at Cenchreae, the harbor from which St. Paul set sail for Ephesus. The evening concludes with a farewell dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Athens.

Day 12 — Friday, October 30 | Return Home 
Our pilgrimage concludes as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the United States, carrying with us the spiritual fruits of our journey through the lands of the early Church.

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