We are again pleased to recommend Canon James Buxton’s springtime PILGRIMAGE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION.
St John, probably writing on the Aegean island of Patmos, prefaces his Book of Revelation with epistles to seven early Christian churches, being those in the ancient cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea*.
Canon James, an Ízmir (Smyrna) resident, leads a spring time tour—organised by educational travel specialists Tutku—to these cities and the region. He tells us:
During this tour we will travel through beautiful Aegean landscapes and visit spectacular ancient cities. Our focus will be the ‘Seven Churches’ to which St John wrote letters at the beginning of the Book of Revelation. These are not seven church buildings, but seven cities in which there were early Christian communities. Five of these cities (Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardis, Laodicea and Smyrna (Izmir) have magnificent ruins in evocative locations. We will also visit other sites, such as Hierapolis, a glorious ancient city which stands at the top of the snow-white travertine terraces of Pammukale (which we will walk upon). Ephesus of course is famous and remains one of the most sensational ancient cities in the entire Mediterranean region. The final day of the trip we will attend the morning service at the Anglican Church of St John the Evangelist, and visit other sites around the city, such as the Agora, the Citadel (Kadifekale) and the beautiful Catholic Church of St Polycarp. The group leader is Canon James Buxton, Anglican Chaplain in Izmir, and we will also be accompanied by an excellent Turkish guide. Late April/early May is a lovely time to travel in the Aegean region. The weather is warm and sunny, and the hillsides and ancient sites are ablaze with spring flowers.
