“And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Saul and Barnabas unto the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed and laid their hands upon them, they let them go.” – Acts 13:2-4

As directed by the Holy Spirit, Paul’s first of three missionary journeys took him and Barnabas through modern-day Türkiye and Cyprus, where they proclaimed the gospel and laid the groundwork for the spread of Christianity throughout the region around 47 A.D.

Cyprus

After departing from Antioch (just north of modern-day Syria’s border on the Mediterranean), their first stop was the beautiful island of Cyprus, situated south of Türkiye. Paul traveled from Salamis to Paphos, covering the island from coast to coast.

“When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.” – Acts 13:5

The ancient city, Salamis, was founded after the Trojan War and was a major trading port in ancient times. After being destroyed several times and abandoned, the ancient city’s ruins are located in the city now known as Famagusta.

The journey continues to Paphos, where Paul blinded a false prophet, leading to a remarkable conversion. “When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.” – Acts 13:12

In modern times, Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful scenery, ancient ruins, rich history, and vibrant culture.

Modern-Day Türkiye

From Cyprus, Paul sailed to the mainland, entering modern-day Türkiye. This part of the journey takes us through key cities that shaped the early church.

Their first stop there was Perge. “Putting to sea from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perge in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.” – Acts 13:13

Perge is now part of Türkiye’s Antalya Province and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The ancient city’s ruins, famous for its marble sculptures, draw many tourists to the area. In May, work on the arena of a 5000-seat arena was completed, offering a clearer picture of the lives of these first Christians. Blocks found in the middle of the arena are thought to have been used for battles with wild animals.

Next, Paul and Barnabas arrived in Pisidian Antioch (modern-day Yalvac). This is different from the city of Antioch where Paul’s journey originated (also known as Syrian Antioch). In Pisidian Antioch, Paul preached his first recorded sermon.

“On the Sabbath, they went to the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch. … After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent word to them saying, ‘Brethren, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.’” – Acts 13:14-15

Paul then made the long journey to Iconium in south-central Türkiye – more than 90 miles! Iconium is one of the oldest city centers in the world, dating back to 3000 B.C. Today, just a few archeological remains can be seen because the modern city of Konya sits atop ancient Iconium. (Don’t be confused if you’re looking at archeological sites in the area. The largest and best-preserved Neolithic site ever found, the village of Catalhoyuk, is also found in Konya. It dates back to 6,000 B.C.)

 “Now it came to pass at Iconium that they went in the same way into the synagogue of the Jews and so spoke that a great multitude of Jews and of Greeks believed. … They stayed a long time, therefore, acting fearlessly in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace by permitting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” – Acts 14:1-3

They continued 21 miles south to Lystra, known today as Zordula. Surprisingly, this ancient Roman colony had never been excavated until permission was finally granted just this year. They’ve only been digging for a couple of months, so at this point, you’ll simply see the hilly mound that kept this city hidden for centuries.

Paul performed a miraculous healing there, leading the locals to mistakenly worship him and Barnabas as Jupiter and Mercury, offering them sacrifices.  They responded, “Men, why are you doing this? We also are mortals, human beings like you, bringing you the good news that you should turn from these vain things to the living God.” – Acts 14:13-14. Some Jews then arrived and stoned Paul. They dragged him outside the city thinking he was dead, but he continued his journey.

They turned east and travelled more than 80 miles to their last stop, Derbe, where they preached the gospel before retracing their steps back through Lystra and Iconium.

Despite the fact that Paul visited Derbe several times, like Lystra, it is one of the last New Testament sites to be excavated in Türkiye. It had almost disappeared from history creating some question about its true location. But based on an inscription from 157 A.D., scholars believe it’s most likely a mound known as Kerti Höyük near Karaman. To date, there have been some initial excavations, but nothing on the scale of what you will see at Perge.

Returning to Antioch

As they made their way back to Syrian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas stopped and encouraged the believers in each city. Upon returning, they shared their experiences with the church. “They gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” – Acts 14:27

Originally built by Alexander the Great in 300 B.C., Antioch is now known as Antakya in Türkiye’s Hatay Province. It’s located on the Orontes River, approximately 12 miles northwest of the modern-day Syrian border. In the first century A.D., it was the third largest city in the world, only after Rome and Alexandria. And, it’s here that the word “Christian” first came into use.

The region is very prone to earthquakes which has caused the city to be destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history, most recently suffering from a devastating quake in 2023.

Follow Paul’s Footsteps

Today, you can follow Paul’s route through Türkiye and Cyprus – a journey that will allow participants to visit key biblical sites, engage in discussions about the early church, and experience both the beauty and cultural richness of these regions. It’s an opportunity for spiritual growth and deeper understanding of our faith’s foundations!

Stay tuned for another blog featuring Paul’s second missionary journey through modern-day Türkiye and Greece, including a sample itinerary.

Connect with a travel advisor to discuss options for a group trip following Paul’s first missionary journey!