Tarsus-Birthplace of St. Paul, About St. Paul, Journeys of St. Paul, Biblical tour guide, biblical tours, biblical turkey tour, religious tours turkey, religious tour, biblical tour organization, turkey greece biblical ours, seven churches of revelation t About St. Paul Tarsus-Birthplace of St. Paul Journeys of St. Paul Tarsus-Birthplace of St. Paul At the of St. Paul's birth and upbringing, Tarsus was the most important city in the Cilician plain (Cukurova) which was then know as Smooth Cilicia. When St. Paul was born, Tarsus was already very ancient. Excavations at Gozlu Kule tumulus near the present city have shown that this site was occupied since the Neolithic period, from about the seventh millennium BCE. During its later Bronze Age history the tumulus is thought to have been the capital of the kingdom of Kizzuwatna. The famous Hittite queen Puduhepa, before she moved to the Hittite capital Hattusas, was a priestess in Kizzuwatna, whose capital was ' Tarsa'.

The first Greek elements in the settlement's culture date from the beginning of the twelfth century BCE, the time of upheavals created by the Sea People. In the Assyrian annals the tumulus appears as Tarzi, and the capital of the kingdom of Que. The reference to Coa (Que or Cilicia) in the Second Book of Chronicles is related approximately to this period of the city' s history in the tenth century BCE: 'Solomon also imported horses from Egypt and Coa (Cilicia). The agents would acquire them by purchase from Cilicia, and would then bring up chariots from Egypt and export them at six hundred silver shekels, with the horses going for a hundred and fifty shekels. At these rates they served as middlemen for all the Hittite and Aramean kings (2 Chr 1: 16-17). King Sennacherid (705-651) of Assyria, is know to have moved the city from the tumulus to its present location on the Cydnus river (Tarsus Cayi) to a point some 15 km from the sea.

Before reaching the Mediterranean Cydnus flowed into a large lagoon, which was know as the lake of Rhegma in roman times, and was navigable up to the city. At present the area where this lake existed is a fertile cotton field. In the Old Testament, Tarsis is used as a place- name in the Mediterranean after the sixth-fifth centuries, from which metals like silver, iron or lead came to Tyre in Phoenicia. Some scholars regard this place as being Tarsus, the major port in Cilicia having connections with inland states of Anatolia rich in metals, horses and slaves: ' Tarsish traded with you, so great was your wealth, exchanging silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares' (Ez 27: 12). All of what was built in ancient Tarsus after its re-foundation on the plain lies under the silt of the Cydnus River and the citys apartment houses, some six meters deep. Following the collapse of the Assyrian kingdom, Cilicia seems to have survived as an independent state until Anatolia was captured by Cyrus the Great (555-530 BCE) of the Persian Empire.

Tarsus was the first urban center with the amenities of civilization after crossing the Cilician Gates to the south, and thus an indispensable stage to recover before traveling on to Syria and the countries beyond. According to Xenophon, Cyrus the Younger, and to Arrian, Alexander the Great did not miss the chance of enjoying the opportunities the city offered. In Anabasis Cyrus, after crossing the ' impassable' Cilician Gates (401 BCE) found himself in large and well- watered Cilician plain ' full of an kinds of trees and of vines, which' produces quantities of sesame and millet and wheat and barley, its capital ' a large and prosperous city ' with a river called the Cydnus running ' through the middle of the city. Strabo in Geography says that an immersion in the Cydnus was ' beneficial both to beasts and to men who suffer from sinews '. It is know if Alexander knew this when he plunged into the river some four hundred years before Strabo, a venture that ended up immediately with acute pneumonia and almost cost him his life.

Sometime after it came under Roman rule in 50 BCE the Roman statesman Cicero is know to have served as the first Roman governor of Cilicia, staying at Tarsus. One of the most memorable events of the city's early Roman history, which was later commemorated by Shakespeare, was the love story of Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius) and Cleopatra (41 BCE), which began here. Some eight years before Cleopatra had had herself delivered to Caesar in Alexandria by a merchant, wrapped in a carpet. This time she arranged a parade, which was exaggerated by later writes, but still appropriate to the vulgar and ambitious character of Antony. She had built for herself a barge with fittings in gold and silver and equipped with purple silk sails. The vessel 's crew, young boys and girls, were dressed as Erotes and Nereids. The sound of music and scent of rich perfumes reached across the water to the Tarsians who had flocked to the Cydnus ' banks. ' Cleopatra herself reclined beneath a canopy of cloth of gold. This was beginning of a love story, which lasted about a decade, with the well - know fatal end.

Among many things, which Antony would bestow on his beloved after a few years, was the cedar - rich mountains of Rough Cilicia, which was a major timber source of the Roman world for ship - building. Recent excavations have shown that Tarsus was a smaller flourishing copy of Antioch on Orontes during the Roman period. A prosperous city in the first century, St. Pauls pride in his home is evident when he says I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city' (Acts 21: 39). Acts mentions St. Paul's Tarsus citizenship only twice (Acts 21: 39; Heb 22: 3) and does not give any information about it. The ancient street which has recently been excavated, the remains of the Via Tauris connecting the city to the Cilician Gates and the large floor mosaic which was brought to light in the city give us an idea about the Tarsus of St. Paul 's time. When he begins his defense before the king Herod Agrippa II (150-100), St.

Paul makes it clear that he spent all hiss youth among Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 26: 4) having been sent there to study under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Although ancient literature refers to Tarsus as a seat of Greek philosophy, famous for its Stoic school, it is known that St. Paul, having spent most of his youth in Jerusalem, did not have the chance to make use of this opportunity. St. Paul returned to his native city to teach the gospel, before joining St. Barnabas in Antioch. Though not explicitly stated in acts it likely that he visited his city again when he traveled to Galatia and Pisidia during his Second Journey and third journey. Journeys of St. Paul E-mail: info@biblicaltourguide.com keywords Biblical Tour Guide, Biblical Tour Turkey, Biblical Turkey, Religious Tours Turkey, Religious Tour, Biblical Tour Organization, About Saint Paul, Religious Turkey, St. Paul's Letters, Letters to Seven Churches, Journeys of St. Paul, Biblical Sites in Turkey, The Seven Churches of Revelation, Ephesus Meeting Tour, Foot Steps of St.

Paul Tour, Half Day Ephesus Tour, Full Day Ephesus Tour, House of Virgin Mary Tour, Ephesus Terrace House Tour, St. John Basilica Tour, Private Ephesus Tour, Istanbul Ephesus Tour, Biblical Asia Minor Tour, Pearls of Turkey Tour, Virgin Mary and Church Religion Culture Tour, Turkey Birth of Christianity Tour, Jewish Heritage Tour, 7 Churches Turkey Highlights Religious Tour, Seven Churches of Revelation Tour, Seven Churches of Renevation Tour, Footsteps of Saint Paul Tour, Journey of St Paul Tour, St Paul's route tour, Foot Steps of St Paul in Anatolia Tour, Biblical Guide Site. Biblical Tour Guide 2008 All Rights Reserved By Online Ephesus Travel Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Tarsus, Turkey Guide Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, is now a mostly modern industrial and commercial city on Turkey's eastern Mediterranean coast just west of Adana ( map ). The historic city center holds several buildings of interest: — The Church Mosque (Kilise Cami, or Baytimur Camii) in the city center was built as a church about 300 AD, perhaps dedicated to St Paul.

After a thousand years as a church, it was converted to a mosque in 1415 when the city was conquered from the Byzantines by a Turkish Ramazanoğlu emir. — The Roman -era Cleopatra's Gate may have nothing to do with Cleopatra, but it is a monumental remnant of the ancient city's system of defensive walls. — St. Paul's Well, an obviously old stone well, may have nothing to do with St. Paul, but it is interesting to see, and perhaps the main reason many travelers stop in Tarsus. — The few streets of historic houses near St. Paul's Well are interesting to walk through, a glimpse at what the town looked like for much of its history during the last millennium. — The Tarsus Museum is housed in a 16th-century medrese (theological seminary). Access to Tarsus (TAHR-sus, pop. 200,000) is easy as it lies between Mersin and Adana , with fast highways and frequent buses , minibuses and trains . For fully-escorted tours that visit Tarsus as well as the Seven Churches of Asia, contact Orion-Tour. More...

Distances & Travel Times Tarsus – The Birthplace of St. Paul | Regal Holiday Tarsus – The Birthplace of St. Paul Private Shore Excursions from Izmir Port to Ephesus Tarsus – The Birthplace of St. Paul Tarsus is the most important city for St. Paul’s birth. This city is situated in the Cilician plain. Cilician plain is known as Cukurova and then it was known as Smooth Cilicia. It is supposed to be in 10 C.E, St. Paul was born in Tarsus. At that time Tarsus was an ancient city already. Tarsus was occupied since the Neolitic period (from nearly 7 B.C.E). During Bronz Age history it is supposed to be the capital of the Kizzuwatna Kingdom. Puduhepa was the priestess in this Kingdom. Also then, she moved to Hattusas and became the Hittite queen. Tarsus is now a modern city in the South of Turkey. It also has many historic buildings. One of them is The Church Mosque. It is located in the city center and it is supposed to dedicated to St. Paul.

It was a church until 1415. And after that year, it was converted to a mosque. Another important building is St. Paul’s Well. In fact it is an old stone but very interesting to see. There is The Tarsus Museum which was built in 16th century. onurTarsus – The Birthplace of St. Paul 08.13.2014 Turkey Christian Tour Package: Saint Paul's Footsteps in Turkey On Request – Please Email (Private tour for pre-formed groups only) Includes: All accommodation at a choice of 4-5 star or boutique hotels, sightseeing tours, guidance, entrances, land transport, indicated meals & taxes. Pilgrimage Tour of Turkey – Travel Packages for Christian Groups Journey in the ancient footsteps of Saint Paul around Turkey: This Christian pilgrimage tour retraces his travels and ministries, from his birthplace in Eastern Turkey to the places throughout the country that he visited, explaining the religious, biblical and social context of his life. As well as visiting all major sacred sites, religious architecture and historic pilgrimage sites, this Turkey Christian tour also includes those of cultural and tourist significance. From Istanbul to Cappadocia, head further East to Tarsus.

Then trace his missionary journeys, places of sermon and persecution via Adana, Antalya, Izmir and Troy. En route, discover the sacred sites of the Seven Churches and many more where the St. Paul and his apostles preached in biblical times… Brief Itinerary: Available for Christian Groups Day 1 – Arrive Istanbul. Day 2 – Istanbul Old City Tour. Day 3 – Istanbul Bosphorus Tour. Day 4 – Ankara Tour. Day 5 – Cappadocia Tour 1. Day 6 – Cappadocia Tour 2. Day 7 – Tarsus Tour. Day 8 – Antakya Tour. Day 9 – Konya Tour. Day 10 – Antioch-in-Pisidia, Antalya. Day 11 – Perge, Aspendos, Side Tour. Day 12 – Pamukkale, Hierapolis Tour. Day 13 – Laodicea, Aphrodisias Tour. Day 14 – Ephesus Ancient City Tour. Day 15 – Sardis, Philadelphia Tour. Day 16 – Church of Thyatira, Pergamon Tour.

Day 17 – Ancient City of Troy Tour. Day 18 – Depart Istanbul. Route Map Detailed Itinerary: All of our tours can easily be customized to suit individual preferences where viable – This is a suggested itinerary only. Also suitable for parish groups, pilgrimmage & Christian groups. Please contact us with the size of your group for a free quote with no-obligation. Day 1 Istanbul Arrival and transfer from the airport to your hotel. Brief tour outline and city orientation given. Free day at your own leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. Day 2 Istanbul (B) Full Day Old City Tour: Pick up from your hotel to visit Topkapi Palace, with royal treasury and elegant four courts. After lunch, proceed to the Hagia Sophia, a great Byzantine architectural masterpiece, whose interior is resplendent with golden mosaics. Then admire the delicate design and Iznik tiles of the Blue Mosque. Explore the ancient Roman Hippodrome with Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column. Finally, stop off at the dazzling Grand Bazaar with over 4000 shops. Drop off to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 Istanbul (B) Full Day Bosphorus & Two Continents Tour: Pick up from your hotel to visit the bustling Spice Market – a colorful bazaar heaped with various sweets and spices. Then you’ll take a relaxing Bosphorus boat cruise (by public ferry or Zoe Yacht) between the continents of Europe and Asia – gliding past Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, ornate wooden Ottoman mansions and mosques, Rumeli Fortress and the Bosphorus Bridge. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Beylerbeyi Palace following by a scenic stop on Camlica Hill for panoramic views over Istanbul. Drop off to hotel. Overnight Istanbul. Day 4 – Ankara (B, D) Ankara Tour Pick up in the morning and drive to Ankara, where you can stroll the streets of the old quarter and the Ankara Citadel, before visiting the Mausoleum of Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic in 1923. Later you will have time to admire the magnificent treasures of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, where Neolithic frescoes, Bronze Age emblems, Hittite objects and the remains of the fabled Phrygian King Midas are exhibited.

Overnight in Ankara. Day 5 Cappadocia (B, D) Full Day Cappadocia Tour: Pick up in the morning for Cappadocia. Explore Devrent and Monk’s Valley, to see the extraordinary mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles or ‘fairy chimneys’. Continue on to the small village of Avanos, famous for clay pottery design. After lunch, proceed to the Goreme Open Air Museum, featuring the most impressive rock-carved churches and Byzantine frescoes in all Cappadocia. Finally enjoy a view of the moonscape valleys from the rock-perched natural citadel at Uchisar. Drop off to hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia. Cappadocia (B, D) Full Day Cappadocia Tour: Pick up from your hotel to and start with a gentle walk through orchards, unusual volcanic rock formations and rock-cut houses at Red & Rose Valley. Visit the old Christian Village of Cavusin, followed by lunch and then an excursion to Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon, visit Kaymakli Underground City, which hid local Christians from Arab invaders, Ortahisar Castle and Mustafapasa Greek village.

Drop off to hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia. Day 7 – Adana (B, D) Tarsus – Birthplace of St.Paul Tour Pick up in the morning and drive to Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul, and cultural center of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, later controlled by Arabs, Crusaders and Mamelukes. Drive through the Taurus Mountains and visit St. Paul’s Arch, the Well of the Blessed Water (said to be on the site of St. Paul’s house) and Cleopatra’s Gate (built in 2 AD after the Egyptian queen who met the Roman Mark Anthony here). Overnight in Adana. Day 8 – Adana (B, D) Antakya Region Tour Biblical Antioch-on-Orantes and third largest city in the old Roman Empire. Here Barnabas brought Paul to join in the congregation’s ministry for the first sustained efforts to bring non-Jews into the Christian community, calling the first converts ‘Christians’. Visit the town of Samandag, once the ancient biblical port of Seleucia ad Piera serving Antioch. See the Grotto of St.

Peter – a little cave church where early Christians secretly met for prayer, the Titus Water Tunnel and the exquisite Roman mosaics on display at the Mosaic Museum. Overnight in Adana. Day 9 – Konya (B, D) Konya Tour Pick up in the morning for Konya, from which St. Paul and St. Barnabas were forced to flee due to persecution. Centuries later, it became the focus for the Whirling Dervishes‘ mystical order, under the founding ‘Mevlana’ or master Sufi philosopher. Visit the Whirling Dervish Museum and Monastery, which houses the sacred silver and gold decorated Tomb of the Mevlana. Nearby, you will visit the beautiful hill-perched Syrian and Selcuk style Alaeddin Mosque and its unique medrese with tiled dome of stars, hunting friezes and ceramic collection. Overnight in Konya. Day 10 Antalya (B, D) Antioch-in-Pisidia Tour Pick up in the morning for Yalvac, site of the ancient city Antioch-in-Pisidia near the foothills of the snowcapped Sultan Mountains.

It was here in a local synagogue that St. Paul’s sermon presenting Jesus in light of Israel’s history to a mixed audience was recorded. See the ruins of the paved and colonnaded streets, theater and aqueduct. In the afternoon, drive to Antalya, a coastal resort town with picturesque old quarter, shopping bazaars and natural yachting harbor. Overnight in Antalya. Day 11 Antalya (B, D) Perge, Aspendos, Side Tour Pick up in the morning for an excursion to the ancient city of Perge – a Pamphylian city where St. Paul later preached after arriving from Cyprus. Walk through the Roman Gate and down the Colonnaded Avenue past the Agora, Baths, Hippodrome and Aqueduct terminating at the Nymphaeum or great fountain. This is followed by a visit to the Aspendos Theater, a gigantic 2nd century Roman design so well preserved that it is still in use today. Continue on to the ancient city of Side and the Temple of Apollo, at whose ancient port landed St. Paul, Barnabas & Mark during their missionary journeys, en route to Antioch. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 12 – Pamukkale (B, D) Pamukkale – Hierapolis Tour Pick up in the morning for Pamukkale or ‘Cotton Castle’, famous for the healing properties of its thermal mineral baths and beautiful cascading snow-white terraced cliff side basins and waterfalls. After lunch, visit the ancient Roman city ruins of Hierapolis, where St. Philip the Apostle was martyred in 1AD. See the magnificently preserved Necropolis, Avenue of Tombs, Gates, Thermal Baths, Devil’s Hole and the Masterpiece Theater. Drop off to hotel for a leisurely bath in the hot spring pool of your hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale. Day 13 Kusadasi (B, D) Eskihisar – Laodicea – Aphrodisias Tour Pick up in the morning to visit Eskihisar, site of the ancient city of Laodicea. It ranked among the Seven Churches of Asia, to which St. John addressed his letter concerning the city’s faith and its waning progress.

This is followed by a tour of one of Turkey’s most beautiful ancient cities – Aphrodisias, renowned for its intricate stone friezes and aesthetic architecture. See the Temple of Aphrodite, the monumental Tetra Pylon Gateway, the ancient Gladiator Stadium and many delicate carvings and sculptures in the onsite museum. Overnight in Kusadasi/Selcuk. Day 14 Izmir (B, D) House of Virgin Mary – Ephesus Ancient City Tour Pick up from your hotel. Visit the House of Virgin Mary, where she is said to have spent her final years. Continue on to the marble white ancient city of Ephesus, where St. Paul’s Third Journey involved a long ministry. See spectacularly restored monuments such as the great Library of Celsus, Agora, Odeon, Trajan Fountain, Domitianus Temple, Roman Latrines, Theater and Stadium in which St. Paul preached the gospel. Following a lunch break in Selcuk, visit the Isabey Mosque and the Temple of Artemis, with intricate carving.. Also stop-off at the picturesque Sirince village. Drop off to hotel. Overnight in Izmir.

Day 15 Izmir (B, D) Church of St. Policarp – Sardis – Philadelphia Church Tour Pick up in the morning for an excursion to the Church of St. Policarp in Izmir, one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. This is followed by a visit to Sardis – the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. Walk the Royal Avenue and see the site of one of the Seven Churches built on the foundations of the Temple of Artemis. Then proceed to the ancient Philadelphia Church at Alasehir and one of the last cities to fall to the Ottomans. Overnight in Izmir. Day 16 Canakkale (B, D) Akhisar – Church of Thyatira – Pergamon Tour Pick up in the morning for Akhisar to visit the Church of ancient Thyatira, one of the Seven Churches, set in an ancient commercial town with strong ties to Troy and Sardes. This is followed by a visit to the hill-perched Acropolis, Asclepion (hospital), Altar of Zeus and other pagan temples of ancient Pergamon at Bergama.

Also see the church ruins at the site of ancient Serapium and the Red Court of St. John. Drive to Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale. Day 17 Istanbul (B) Ancient City of Troy Tour Pick up in the morning for the ancient city of Troy. Following a lunch break en-route, visit the archaeological site of this 5000 years old city, scene of the legendary Trojan War as described in Homer’s Iliad. See a reconstruction of the fabled Wooden Horse, the city ruins from a succession of 9 civilizations, the Roman Bouletarion, Theater and onsite Museum. St. Paul traveled through the southern city of Troas nearby here several times. After the tour, continue to drive back to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul. Day 18 Istanbul (B) Day at leisure. Depart from Istanbul / Additional nights in Istanbul. Also suitable for parish groups, pilgrimmage & Christian groups. Please contact us with the size of your group for a free quote with no-obligation.

Hotels Great Choice of Hotels When you email us to receive a trip quote, you’ll receive a travel program with choice of 3 hotels from our selection of 4-5 star, stylish boutique, special class or luxury hotels. All our tour packages are complemented with conveniently-located and established properties or the best available for rural regions. So rest assured that you will be able to retire in comfort each evening, and within easy reach of the center for exploring. For more information, please see some of our boutique Turkey hotels here. Prices & Dates: Prices based on double/twin-room occupancy at selected properties. Subject to selected dates, availability at time of booking and advance booking. If travelling with any children under 12 years, please email us with their date of birth to determine their age at time of travel. What’s Included: All accommodation B&B at a choice of selected 4-5 star, boutique, special class or luxury hotels. All sightseeing tours of the places mentioned in the program. All tours with professional licensed English-speaking guidance. All transport with new air-conditioned deluxe vehicles. All meals where shown in the itinerary with this legend (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner).

All airport transfers throughout, as indicated in the itinerary. All parking fees, ferry, tolls and petrol. All entrance fees to the visited sites in the itinerary. All taxes. Domestic flight tickets (will be quoted separately). Drinks, travel insurance, visas, personal expenses, porters, optional tips. Extra Options: Istanbul – Breathtaking Private Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus aboard Zoe Yacht. Prices on request. Cappadocia – Hot Air Balloon tour over the valleys. Prices on request. Schedule: Turkey Christian Tour: Departure dates guaranteed every day all year around for this tour. Change This Trip: We are happy to make some minor changes provided those are compatible and acceptable with the smooth operation of the tour packages offered. Awards & Testimonials: TripAdvisor has awarded Byzas Tours the Certificate of Excellence for 2012, 2013 & 2014. Please read what previous guests have said about us on their website. Information & Reservations: Please email us your dates of travel and number of travelers for more information and reservations. We aim to respond to all requests within 1 business day. All requests welcome. Tolerance in Turkey: Catholics Want to Reclaim St.

Paul's Birthplace - SPIEGEL ONLINE Tolerance in Turkey: Catholics Want to Reclaim St. Paul's Birthplace Tolerance in Turkey Catholics Want to Reclaim St. Paul's Birthplace The Catholic Church is pushing for the construction of a Christian meeting center at the birthplace of the Apostle Paul in Turkey. German bishops are demanding tolerance for Christians in Turkey in exchange for their support for mosques in Germany. AP Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a Mass in the Holy Spirit Catholic Cathedral in Istanbul in December 2006. There is little left from the days when the town of Tarsus was not Turkish but part of the Roman Empire: a handful of columns, a few old walls -- and a house where, about 2,000 years ago, a man who would become a central figure in Christianity was born. "I am a Jew from Tarsus," the Bible reads. The man who was quoted as saying these words went down in history as the Apostle Paul, who brought the Christian faith into the world. Every year, thousands of visitors travel to Tarsus, which is near the Turkish-Syrian border. But Christians who wish to worship in the Church of St.

Paul, built several centuries ago, must overcome bizarre hurdles to do so. A permit is required from the local authorities to celebrate mass in the church. In addition, worshippers are charged an entry fee and required to bring along the essentials -- from the altar crucifix to candles -- and then promptly remove them after the service. The church was used as a military depot for several decades, before the Turkish government suddenly declared it a museum in the 1990s. Rome has never come to terms with the fact that Christians have such a difficult time of it in the birthplace of the apostle. But this year, which Pope Benedict XVI has declared the "Year of St. Paul," it will become a topic of public debate. In June, Cardinal Walter Kasper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will celebrate a mass in Tarsus. A number of German bishops also plan to travel to Turkey. From the Magazine Find out how you can reprint this DER SPIEGEL article in your publication. The Catholics are pursuing a politically explosive plan. Roughly 2,000 years after the birth of St. Paul, they want to get a Christian meeting center constructed in Tarsus.

They have chosen an auspicious moment for the scheme. With Turkey vying for European Union membership, the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan can hardly afford to turn down a Christian project. In addition, the Church, especially the German bishops, is offering something in return. The Germans have often taken a benevolent stance toward the construction of mosques in Germany, a policy they intend to continue. In return, they are demanding tolerance for Christians in Turkey. The archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joachim Meisner, who is well known for his conservative views, campaigned for the initiative among his fellow cardinals. Meisner is closely aligned with Bishop Luigi Padovese, the pope's apostolic vicar in Anatolia. The two men have coordinated their efforts with Rome and found supporters who are now coming to their aid. For Hans-Jochen Jaschke, the auxiliary bishop in Hamburg, the proposed structure in Tarsus would be "an extremely important symbol." Of course Jaschke, who is in charge of inter-religious dialogue within the German Bishops' Conference, is not in favor of a simple church-for-mosque trade.

But then he slyly adds: "It would be very helpful towards the acceptance of Turks in Germany if a sign of acceptance of Christians were to be seen in Turkey." Given the current circumstances of Christians in Turkey, however, Jaschke's wish taps into one of the most major issues in German-Turkish relations. Without government approval, no religious community can be active in Turkey. Muslim clerics must also submit their sermons to the authorities. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, introduced this rule in an effort to keep Islam under control. The strict system is intended to guarantee the state's freedom from religious influences, but it also drastically restricts Christians' freedom to practice their faith. DPA Despite the smiles, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have a tricky relationship. Because of these obstacles, Cardinal Meisner took the Catholic Church's request for approval of its planned Christian meeting center to the very top of the Turkish state, and wrote to the Turkish prime minister in February. Recep Tayyip Erdogan had already been approached once before, when he visited Cologne, Istanbul's sister city, during a state visit to Germany on Feb. 10.

Cologne Mayor Fritz Schramma, a member of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), mentioned the situation at the birthplace of St. Paul to Erdogan and conveyed the cardinal's request to him. Erdogan promised his support. "As soon as the church approaches me with this wish, I will speak out in favor of it -- even against my opposition." Bishop Padovese, who had already submitted the same request to the government in writing months earlier, repeated the request. Together with six other bishops in Turkey, he plans to take Erdogan, who recently solicited German Chancellor Angela Merkel's support for his country's EU membership, at his word. The bishops joined forces to ask Erdogan to support their project. It is now up to the government to make Tarsus into a turning point in the Turkish state's policy toward Christians. For the German bishops, the matter has become a touchstone in the Church's relationship with Islam. A group of German leaders plans to travel to Tarsus in September. Cardinal Meisner already went to Tarsus more than half a year ago and held a church service there. Meisner was horrified by the conditions under which Christians must live in the aspiring EU member.

In 1920, 20 percent of the Turkish population was Christian. That figure has declined to only 0.1 percent today, and the state and local authorities make life difficult for this small contingent. The largest group consists of roughly 60,000 Armenians in Istanbul, who are barred access to higher government positions simply because the word "Christian" is stamped in their identification cards. 1 South Coast of Turkey - The city of Tarsus in Turkey Yumurtalık Tarsus Tarsus, the birthplace of St. Paul the Apostle, is now a mostly modern industrial and commercial city on Turkey's eastern Mediterranean coast just west of Adana and east of Mersin. It is part of the Adana-Mersin Metropolitan Area, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Turkey with a population of over 3 million people. The Tarsus District forms an administrative district in the eastern part of the Mersin Province and lies in the core of Çukurova region. With a rich history dating back over 6,000 years, Tarsus has long been an important stop for traders and an important place to many civilisations.

During the Roman Empire, Tarsus was capital of the province of Cilicia, the scene of the first meeting between Mark Antony and Cleopatra. It has a historic city center that holds several places of interest: Kilise Cami, or Baytimur Camii in the city center was built as a church about 300 AD. After a thousand years as a church, it was converted to a Mosque in 1415 when the city was conquered from the Byzantines by the Turks. The Roman-era Cleopatra's Gate is a monumental remnant of the ancient city's defensive walls. St. Paul Kuyusu (English: St. Paul's Well), this old stone well being the main reason many travelers stop in Tarsus as well as a few streets of historic houses near St. Paul's Well. They offer a glimpse at what the town may have looked like for much of its history during the last millennium. The Tarsus Museum is housed in a 16th century medrese (theological seminary). The Roman Causeway or Ancient Road (Turkish: Antik Yol), a small but well preserved piece of a roman road.

The Roman Bath ruins (Turkish: Roma Hamami), with a remarkable wall and the Makam Mosque (Turkish: Makam Camii) and the Grand Mosque (Turkish: Ulu Camii) with its 19th century Clock Tower (Turkish: Saat Kulesi) as well as the Bazaar (Turkish: Kirkkasik Bazaar) next door to the Grand Mosque Getting to Tarsus is easy as it lies between Mersin and Adana which have good highways, frequent buses, minibuses and trains. Fairly modern and very frequent trains from Adana and Mersin. The trunk line bypasses the city about a few kilometers to the east. Yenice is the nearest trunk line station and has daily connections to main centres of the country such as Istanbul and Ankara. Agriculture is an important source of income with half the land area in the district being farmland (1,050 km²) and most of the remainder being forest and orchards. The farmland is mostly well-irrigated, fertilised and managed with the latest in techniques and equipment. Karabucak Forest is a popular picnic area only a few kilometers south of the city center.

Leçons de Choses - The designs of Magali Arbib can now be purchased online on her website - - childrens furnishings and accessories as well as vintage items and art - all from France - Tarsus | Define Tarsus at Dictionary.com tarsus [tahr-sahy, -see] /ˈtɑr saɪ, -si/ (Show IPA) 1. Anatomy, Zoology. the bones of the proximal segment of the foot; the bones between the tibia and the metatarsus , contributing to the construction of the ankle joint. 2. the small plate of connective tissue along the border of an eyelid. 3. tarsometatarsus . 4. the distal part of the leg of an insect, usually subdivided in the adult into two to five segments. Origin of tarsus 1670-80; < New Latin < Greek tarsós flat of the foot Tarsus noun 1. a city in S Turkey, near the Mediterranean, on the Cydnus River: important seaport of ancient Cilicia; birthplace of Saint Paul.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for tarsus Expand Historical Examples To the tarsus succeeds the metatarsus, whose form reminds us very much of that of the metacarpals. And thus her mind drew on to that supper at tarsus when she drank the pearl. Cleopatra H. Rider Haggard I remembered how normally we lived in the midst of massacre in tarsus and when the Bulgarians were attacking Constantinople. Paris Vistas Helen Davenport Gibbons The tarsus folds back; and the antenn are held as in a vice. British Dictionary definitions for tarsus Expand the bones of the ankle and heel, collectively 2. the corresponding part in other mammals and in amphibians and reptiles another name for tarsometatarsus the dense connective tissue supporting the free edge of each eyelid 4. the part of an insect's leg that lies distal to the tibia Word Origin C17: from New Latin, from Greek tarsos flat surface, instep Tarsus noun 1. a city in SE Turkey, on the Tarsus River: site of ruins of ancient Tarsus, capital of Cilicia, and birthplace of St Paul.

Pop: 231 000 (2005 est) 2. a river in SE Turkey, in Cilicia, rising in the Taurus Mountains and flowing south past Tarsus to the Mediterranean. Length: 153 km (95 miles) Ancient name Cydnus Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for tarsus Expand n. the ankle bones collectively, 1670s, Modern Latin, from Greek tarsos "ankle, sole of the foot, rim of the eyelid," originally "flat surface, especially for drying," from PIE root *ters- "to dry" (cf.

Greek teresesthai "to be or become dry," tersainein "to make dry;" Latin terra "land, ground, soil," torrere "dry up, parch;" see terrain ). Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper (tär'səs) Plural tarsi (tär'sī, -sē) The group of seven bones lying between the leg and the metatarsals and forming part of the ankle. The group of bones lying between the leg and metatarsals in the hind feet in some vertebrates, such as dinosaurs and birds. A fibrous plate that supports and shapes the edge of the eyelid. The lower part of the leg of an arthropod, usually divided into segments. The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved. tarsus in the Bible Expand the chief city of Cilicia. It was distinguished for its wealth and for its schools of learning, in which it rivalled, nay, excelled even Athens and Alexandria, and hence was spoken of as "no mean city." It was the native place of the Apostle Paul (Acts 21:39).

It stood on the banks of the river Cydnus, about 12 miles north of the Mediterranean. It is said to have been founded by Sardanapalus, king of Assyria. It is now a filthy, ruinous Turkish town, called Tersous. (See PAUL .) Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary Tarsus, Biblical Sites in Turkey, Biblical tour guide, biblical tours, biblical turkey tour, religious tours turkey, religious tour, biblical tour organization, turkey greece biblical ours, seven churches of revelation turkey, reli Missionary Journeys of St. Paul During one of his missionary journeys St. Paul visited Ephesus in Turkey. He stays in the city about three years (Acts 19:1-20). In Ephesus Paul discovers twelve believers who were baptized but who did'nt as yet have God's spirit. Paul baptizes them in His name and they receive God's Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7). Seven Churches of Revelation In looking at the letters to the 7 Churches, we see the Lord speaking directly to the 7 Churches that existed in the Holy land at the time John lived.

We also see the Lord's opinion of those Churches, and what they were doing at the time: Ephesus, Pergamon, Laodicea, Sardis, Thyatira, Smyrna, Philadelphia churches. Biblical sites in Turkey Turkey is called the Other Holy Land as it has more biblical sites than any other country in the Middle East. Antioch - the place where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians; Tarsus - where Apostle Paul was born and many others.. Tarsus Acts 9:11;9:30;11:25;21:39;22:3 Tarsus was the capital of the Roman Province of Cilicia, situated between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The Province of Cilicia varied between 30 to 60 miles wide and was about 300 miles long. The city of Tarsus was about 10 miles inland of the Mediterranean on the alluvial plain, watered by the Cydnus and may have had as many as one half million inhabitants in the time of St. Paul. Ramsey described the city as about 70 feet above sea level on a level plain.

The lower Cyndus was made navigable and a port had been built to carry goods to and from the sea. A major road lead to the north where the famous mountain pass known as the Cilician Gates lay less than 29 miles inland. Sir William Ramsey described the pass as one of the most famous and important passes in history. The origins of the city are shrouded in mystery, but it appears the city was a native Cilician town taken over by Ionian settlers of antiquity. Josephus attributes the city to the Tarshish of Genesis 10:4, but this is by no means certain. It is mentioned several places in historical record with certainty. The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser says this city was taken by the Assyrians (mid C9 BCE). Xenophon passed through in 401 BCE, and found the ruler to be a local. Alexander found the rulership in the hands of the Persians, and he replaced the ruler (334 BCE). Coins found in excavations of the region make no claim of autonomy until after the defeat of Antiochus the Great at the hands of the Romans (189 BCE).

Syria appears to have undergo ne some reorganization at this time, allowing autonomy in some of the regions. Tarsus appears to have grown into autonomy at this time establishing a constitution as a free city. The city became part of the Roman Empire with the arrival of Pompey the Roman General and the defeat of the pirates that often harassed the city by about 64 BCE. Some scholars speculate that St. Paul may be a descendant of some of those who were promised free citizenship if they moved to the Cilician city in 171 BCE. Another claim for the citizenship ancestry of St. Paul can be found in some who raise the possibility that St. Pauls father or grandfather helped Marc Antony (and thus Rome) during Cleopatras renowned visit to Tarsus in 41 BCE. The historian Strabo mentions the splendor of the event, as Cleopatra sailed her gilded barge in the Cyndus into the city. In addition, there is reason to believe that Antony and Octavian used some resources of the city in their struggle against Brutus and Cassius, who they later defeated at Philippi in Macedonia. Some have even suggested that a tent makers gift could have been rep aid in citizenship (cp.

Acts 18:3), though this is mere speculation. Autonomy meant that Tarsus was able to govern itself under its own laws, impose import taxation and a variety of other freedoms. Strabo mentions that the city was excited by education, and was home to the third largest university, after Athens and Alexandria. One teacher or note that came from Tarsus was the famous Athenodorus, a Stoic Philosopher that tutored Augustus at Apollonia, and later became his advisor from 44 to 15 BCE. This probably accounts for Augusts favor on the city. Athenodorus returned to Tarsus and established a reform to the city in15 BCE. Along with the reforms, he established a patrician class that probably included the family of St. Paul, who boasts of his association with the city (Acts 21:39). In addition to being the hometown of St. Paul (Acts 9:11; 21:39; 22:3), it was also the city St. Paul returned to after his escape from Jerusalem (Acts 9:30). Barnabas found St.

Paul in the city and enlisted him to service at Antioch (Acts 11:25ff). St. Paul may well have visited on the Second and Third Mission Journeys (Acts 15:41; 18:22-23). Biblical Sites in Turkey List

Question: Which Turkish town was the birthplace of St Paul?
Answer: Tarsus