In the Footsteps of St. Paul: A Journey Through Biblical Turkey
No land is more deeply connected to the Apostle Paul than Turkey. He was born in Tarsus, commissioned in Antioch, and preached across Asia Minor on his missionary journeys. To walk in Paul's footsteps is to trace the very birth of the Christian mission to the world.
“"I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city."”
— ACTS 21:39
Paul's story begins in Tarsus, a prosperous city in southern Turkey and a renowned center of learning. Here the young Saul was raised as a Roman citizen and a devout Pharisee before his life-changing encounter with the risen Christ.
Tarsus — The Birthplace of the Apostle
In Tarsus, pilgrims can visit St. Paul's Well, believed to stand on the site of the apostle's family home, and walk the ancient Roman road and Cleopatra's Gate. Standing in Tarsus, one reflects on how God prepared Paul — his education, his citizenship, his zeal — for the mission that would follow.
Antioch — Where the Mission Began
“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
— ACTS 11:26
Antioch on the Orontes (modern Antakya) holds a unique place in Christian history. It was here that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26), and here that the Holy Spirit set apart Paul and Barnabas for their first missionary journey (Acts 13:2-3).
The Cave Church of St. Peter, carved into the mountainside, is one of the oldest churches in the world. To worship here is to stand at the cradle of Gentile Christianity.
The Missionary Journeys
From Antioch, Paul traveled across Asia Minor, planting churches in cities whose ruins pilgrims still visit today: Pisidian Antioch, Iconium (Konya), Lystra, Derbe, and Perga. In each city he preached the gospel, faced opposition, and strengthened the young believers.
These journeys, recorded in the Book of Acts, transformed the ancient world. Following their route through Turkey brings the missionary heart of the New Testament vividly to life.
Ephesus — Paul's Longest Ministry
Paul spent over two years in Ephesus, where "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord" (Acts 19:10). The Great Theater of Ephesus, where the silversmiths' riot broke out, still stands — one of the most moving stops on any Pauline pilgrimage.
Walk Where Paul Walked
Our In the Footsteps of St. Paul pilgrimage connects these sacred sites into one transformative journey, with daily devotionals reflecting on Paul's letters and his example of faith, endurance, and mission.
Experience This Journey
Related pilgrimages that visit the places in this article:
