THE WORLD AND TIMES OF ST. PAUL
Judeo-Christian Tradition
and Greco-Roman Civilizations

One of the pivotal figures in early Christian history, Saul of Tarsus, later called St. Paul, authored one of the great sea sagas of the ancient world. Spreading the Gospel through much of the Mediterranean by a combination of faith, fortune (both good and bad), soaring oratory, and guile, his stories and teachings form much of the canonical New Testament.

We began in lovely Thessaloniki, where St. Paul founded Greece’s Christian community in the mid-1st century A.D., and visited the ruins of Philippi, an important stop on his apostolic mission. After a flight to Athens, we embarked on the 34-guest Callisto, our private yacht. This delightful vessel featured 17 tastefully appointed cabins, as well as open, inviting public areas, all of which offer sea views, including the spacious lounge and dining room and two large sun decks. With gracious comforts, Callisto fosters a friendly and intimate ambience.

Our voyage encompassed Corinth, where Paul authored the Epistle to the Romans, an ancient city of numerous outstanding monuments. We explored Delos, the great sanctuary of Apollo and Artemis, before sailing to the idyllic birthplace of Homer—Chios—and visiting the magnificent ancient city of Ephesus. Here, amid columned streets, we stepped inside the very amphitheater where Paul spoke, vividly recounted in Acts xix: 23-40. Toured Patmos, where St. John the Evangelist envisioned the Book of Revelation, and explored the formidable 11th century monastery placed there to commemorate him. We concluded our voyage on the island of Rhodes, where Paul was famously shipwrecked.