“What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”Revelation 1:11
What links a letter that the exalted Christ had John send to seven churches with gatherings of bishops centuries later? Both wrestle with the same question: how does the church remain faithful to its Lord? The letters admonish, comfort and promise; the councils of Nicaea, Constantinople, Ephesus and Chalcedon put into words what Christians of all denominations still confess today.
From Istanbul, where the Second Council met in Hagia Irene in 381, the tour leads across the Dardanelles to Troy and Alexandria Troas, the port of the call to Macedonia. Then follow all seven churches of the Revelation: Pergamon, Smyrna, Ephesus with the Church of Mary of 431, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea and Thyatira, together with Hierapolis and the memory of the Apostle Philip. Via Bursa you travel to Nicaea and finally to Chalcedon on the Bosphorus.
Some driving days are long, but in return Revelation and church history come together in a single, rich week. A state-licensed, English-speaking tour guide accompanies you, and every day a word from the Bible opens your eyes.
In the night Paul sees the man of Macedonia – the gospel sets out for Europe.
At the breaking of bread Eutychus falls from the window and is brought back alive.
The church that dwells where Satan's seat is, and yet holds fast to the name of Christ.
The poor yet rich church, to which the crown of life is promised.
The exhortation to return to the first love, read in the city of Paul and John.
The call to a church that has a name that it lives, and is dead: Be watchful!
The open door that no man can shut – for a church with a little strength.
Neither cold nor hot – and yet Christ stands at the door and knocks.
Epaphras labours for the churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Praise for love, faith, service and patience – and the call to watchfulness.
Lydia, the seller of purple from Thyatira, opens her heart to Paul's message in Philippi.
Jesus' prayer for the unity of his disciples – the background to all the councils.
Tip: bring your own Bible – at each place we open the relevant passage together.
Bible quotations: King James Version.
Istanbul Airport → hotel
Your local, state-licensed tour guide welcomes you at Istanbul airport and accompanies you to the hotel. In the evening you get to know your fellow travellers over a non-alcoholic welcome drink. An introduction to the seven letters and to the ecumenical councils shows the common thread of the coming days; a word of blessing places the journey under God's guidance.
Hagia Sophia · Hippodrome · Hagia Irene · Chora · Land walls
In the morning you enter Hagia Sophia, built in 537 and today a mosque, and walk across the Hippodrome with its obelisk and Serpent Column. In the grounds of Topkapı Palace lies Hagia Irene, where in 381 the council met that completed the Nicene Creed; the Treasury follows. In the afternoon you see the mosaics and frescoes of the Chora Church and the Theodosian land walls. Dinner, if you wish, in a traditional grill restaurant.
Istanbul → Dardanelles → Troy → Alexandria Troas → Ayvalık
Through Thrace you drive to the Dardanelles and cross over to Asia. At midday you visit Troy with its walls and settlement layers. In the afternoon you reach Alexandria Troas, the port city where Paul saw the man of Macedonia in a vision and where Eutychus was restored to life. Over the Ida Mountains and through olive groves you travel to Ayvalık on the Aegean. A long but rewarding driving day.
Ayvalık → Pergamon → Izmir → Ephesus
Three letters in one day: in Pergamon you stand at the Temple of Trajan, in the steep theatre, at the foundations of the Altar of Zeus and in the Asclepion – here, where “Satan's seat” was. In Izmir, ancient Smyrna, you remember Bishop Polycarp and briefly cross the bay. In Ephesus follow the marble streets, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and the Church of Mary, where the Third Council met in 431.
Selçuk → Sardis → Philadelphia → Laodicea → Pamukkale
The day begins at the tomb of the Apostle John in Selçuk and at the remains of the Temple of Artemis. In Sardis you see the synagogue, the gymnasium and the mighty Temple of Artemis, in Philadelphia the pillars of the Byzantine Church of St John. In the afternoon follow Laodicea, Hierapolis with the memorial of Philip, and the white terraces of Pamukkale. At the thermal hotel the day ends in warm water.
Pamukkale → Thyatira → Bursa
Through the fertile Hermus valley you drive north. In Akhisar, ancient Thyatira, the circle of the seven churches closes: on the agora with its colonnades and basilica you read the longest of the letters and remember Lydia, the seller of purple. Then you continue into Bithynia – the region into which the Spirit at first did not allow Paul to travel. In the evening you reach Bursa.
Bursa → İznik → Kadıköy → Istanbul
Early in the day in Bursa you see the Great Mosque and the Green Mosque, the Green Tomb and the tombs of Osman and Orhan. In İznik the city walls and Hagia Sophia, the site of the council of 787, lead to the lakeshore with the sunken basilica associated with the Council of 325. In Kadıköy, ancient Chalcedon, the Fourth Council met in 451. Across the Bosphorus you return to Europe; farewell evening, if you wish, in a fish restaurant.
Hotel → Istanbul Airport
Depending on your departure time, the transfer takes you to Istanbul airport; an extension with beach days on the Aegean is possible. You take home the words of the letters – admonition, comfort and promise for the church of today – and the confession of faith that unites Christians across all boundaries. May Christ strengthen your church as well.
The tour price depends on dates, group size and room allocation. You will receive your personal offer – free of charge and without obligation.
Enquire →⛔ No shopping stops: carpet, jewellery or leather showrooms are not part of this tour.
Yes: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea from Revelation 2–3 all lie on the route.
Constantinople with Hagia Irene (381), Ephesus with the Church of Mary (431), Chalcedon (451) and Nicaea with Hagia Sophia (787) and the lakeshore of the basilica associated with the Council of 325.
Some driving days are long, for example from Istanbul to Ayvalık or from Pamukkale to Bursa. In return you experience all seven churches and four council sites in eight days; an extension on the Aegean is possible.
Yes. The confession of the ecumenical councils unites Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and Free Church Christians alike.
No, the flight is not included. On request we will enquire about suitable connections to Istanbul for you.
The price is on request. You will receive a personal offer based on dates, group size and room preferences – free of charge and without obligation.
Letters and Councils – Bible Tour from Istanbul
8daysRevelationFrom the Mediterranean across the Taurus to all seven cities that received the letters – framed by Aphrodisias, Hierapolis and Perge, a place of Paul.
8daysRevelationA short drive from the airport to Pergamon, then a wide arc through all seven cities of the letters – with Priene, Miletus, Didyma and a final day in ancient Smyrna.
8daysRevelation · ActsUnpack once, stay by the sea all week and travel from there to the places of the letters – with a meeting with a church in Izmir and Patmos as a summer option.