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In one part of the Bible, the holy book of Christianity, St.
John lists these churches and the contents of the letters to be
sent, after saying that Jesus Christ, who had appeared to him in
a vision, had asked him to send a letter to seven churches. All
these early churches, which have a very important place in the
history of Christianity, are located in the Aegean Region of
Türkiye. Since the region was considered a province of Asia at
that time in the Roman Empire, these churches are also known as
the “Seven Churches of Asia Minor” and are considered holy sites
for many Christians to visit. An itinerary based on these
churches, which are all an important part of the common cultural
heritage of mankind and can be found in the ruins of ancient
cities, can form the plan for a great cultural trip.
Ephesus Church
The church, whose ruins are in Ephesus in Izmir, occupies
an important place in the history of Christianity. It is
believed that the tomb of St. John, who contributed
significantly to the spread of Christianity against pagan
beliefs, is also located here. Ephesus is also the place where
the Virgin Mary is believed to have lived after Jesus was
crucified. There is a building on the site that is considered
the “House of the Virgin Mary,” and this building is a sacred
place that Christians visit. Ephesus, which was an important
center for the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire, is an
ancient settlement that is a must-visit.
Smyrna (Izmir) Church
The remains of the ancient agora of the city can be seen
in Izmir, which is now one of the most important cities in
Türkiye. The Jewish population of Smyrna, which was an important
port city in the past, widely adopted Christianity and played an
important role in the spread of the religion. One of the seven
churches to which St. John wrote a letter is located here. You
can see the ruins of this important ancient city at the Izmir
Agora Archaeological Site. Also visit the Izmir Archaeology
Museum, which exhibits many of the ruins found in the city.
Pergamon (Bergama) Church
Pergamon, the capital of the Asian province of the Roman Empire,
is also the site of one of the seven churches that have their
place in the biblical narrative. The letter advises the church
to "avoid false teachers," possibly emphasizing the strength of
pagan beliefs in the city. To learn more about Pergamon and its
Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape site, you can watch
the Uncovering: Pergamon video on the YouTube channel of the
Turkish Museums.
Thyatira Church
The church of the ancient city of Thyatira, located in
the district of Akhisar in Manisa, is one of the Seven Churches
of Asia Minor mentioned in the Bible. Remains of the Tepe
cemeteries of Thyatira are also found in Akhisar, which is
believed to have developed on the site of the ancient city. The
Great Mosque of Akhisar, whose exact date of construction is
unknown and which was later converted into a mosque, could be
the very church mentioned in the Bible, who knows?
Sardis Church
The city near the Salihli district of Manisa is known as
the capital of Lydia and the place where money was minted under
state guarantee for the first time in history. The letters of
St. John criticize the church of the city, where Roman
structures have been preserved to this day, for its reputation
of weakness in faith and advice to strengthen its faith. The Sardes
Archaeological Site, which houses the ruins of a very important
center that has not lost its importance even after hundreds of
years, deserves to be visited not only for its importance in the
history of Christianity, but also for its other cultural values.
Philadelphia Church
Although most of the ancient city remained within the
boundaries of the Alaşehir district of Manisa under the modern
settlement, the city's theater and the remains of a temple were
excavated. In the biblical letter, the church of the city is
praised for its determination and patience in faith. Here is
also located the church of St. Jean, which is one of the ruins
of the city and with its three preserved pillars is considered a
very magnificent building.
Laodikeia Church
Laodikeia, a Hellenistic city founded in the 3rd century
BC, was one of the most important centers of the region for
centuries. In the ancient city, known as one of the sacred
centers of Christianity since the 4th century AD, many unique
remains have been found during the still ongoing excavations.
One of them is the house where the remains of a "secret church"
are located. Before the liberation of Christianity in the Roman
Empire and the construction of the Church of Laodikeia, it is
not far-fetched to imagine that this house, where people
worshipped in secret, is the church mentioned in the
Bible.Visiting the ruins of the ancient city where these
churches are located, which are entirely in the Aegean Region,
is a great historical tour. In addition, these places, many of
which have unique natural beauty and beautiful beaches, are also
great for a vacation. The 7 churches of Asia Minor are waiting
for your visit in Türkiye. |
