Mon, Feb 9:   Depart New York to Greece

Evening departure from New York (JFK Airport), for the overnight flights to Greece. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Tue, Feb 10:   Arrive Thessaloniki, Greece     
Connecting flight to Thessaloniki. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your tour escort and transferred to your hotel. Time to relax and meet your fellow pilgrims.  In the late afternoon we will have a conference by Bishop Emil Wcela on our journey in the footsteps of Saint Paul followed by the celebration of the Eucharist with Bishop Murphy.  Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

Wed, Feb 11:   Phillippi, Kavala, Thessaloniki 

After breakfast and before we depart for Phillippi, Bishop Wcela will speak about the importance of Phillippi and Kavala in the missionary journey of St. Paul.  We will celebrate Mass at the site of the first Christian convert in Europe.  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 footin Europe. Dinner and overnight in Thessaloniki.

Thu, Feb 12:   Thessaloniki, Meteora, Kalambaka    

Our day will begin after breakfast with a talk by Bishop Wcela on the Epistles to the Thessalonians.  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.

Fri, Feb 13:   Kalambaka - Delphi     
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. We will celebrate Mass at one of the monasteries before we continue to Delphi.

Sat, Feb 14:   Delphi - Athens     
After breakfast we 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. We will celebrate Mass here in Delphi.  Visit the site and the museum and continue to Athens where Bishop Wcela will speak about the importance of St. Paul’s famous speech.  " 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. 

Sun, Feb 15:   Athens & Corinth    

After breakfast Bishop Wcela will provide us with reflections on the Epistles to the Corinthians and the significance of Corinth in Saint Paul’s preaching about Jesus Christ. 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.

Mon, Feb 16:   Athens - Rome 

We have some time in the morning before our flight to Rome.  Bishop Wcela will give his final reflection on St. Paul and we will celebrate Mass before leaving for the airport.  Upon arrival at Fiumicino airport your escort will warmly greet you this afternoon and welcome you to Italy. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free afternoon for rest, relaxation, or exploration. 
 

Tue, Feb 17:   Mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls

This morning we depart for St. Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St. Paul under its main altar; for Mass.  Enjoy the rest of the afternoon for free time for prayer and reflection, or an optional afternoon tour of Rome.  Dinner on your own.

Optional Tour “Scavi Tour” additional $20 per person (if min of 10)  One of the most interesting tours in Rome is a visit to the excavations in the Necropolis (City of the Dead) underneath Saint Peter's Basilica. It was there that Saint Peter was buried, after having been crucified in the Circus of Nero that sat nearby (where the Vatican Gardens are located). This 60 minute tour takes you through several excavated streets of the Necropolis and ends at the grave of Saint Peter. *pending confirmation*

Wed, Feb 18:   Papal Audience     

Wake up in Eternal City, one of the greatest centers of Western Civilization and the first truly cosmopolitan city on earth! It is also spiritual capital for all the Catholics around the world.   Today is truly a day we will have in our minds for many years to come.  We will rise early in order to celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and then go directly to Paul XI Audience Hall to attend the weekly Papal Audience or Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (pending papal schedule).  The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore your own paths, to shop, or just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by.  Tonight we will all join together for our last dinner at Cecilia Matella Restaurant on the Old Appian Way.

Optional Tour “Pauline Rome”  additional $75 per person (if min of 20)  Our tour will visit San Paolo alla Regola and Santa, followed by Mamertine Prison near the Roman Forum, where St. Paul was believed to have been incarcerated. This afternoon we continue on to the Church of Santa Prisca on the Aventine Hill, believed to be the residence of St. Prisca, a first-century martyr known by St. Paul. Our final stop will be Maria in Via Lata (Our Lady at Via Lata), traditionally considered the first and second houses where St. Paul lived and taught in Rome.  We return to the hotel for a restful overnight.