Philippi

Φίλιπποι

Philippi

BLP:

We visit the archaeological site where Paul established a strong church and sent his letter (Acts 16:9-33); the ruins of a prison where the Apostle Paul and Sylas had been kept, the Agora, 5th and 6th century Basilica and the Theater.

Map of Philippi campaign 42 BC

Background

Philippi was a major Greek city northwest of the nearby island, Thasos. Located near the head of the Aegean Sea at the foot of Mt. Orbelos, now called Mt. Lekani, about 8 miles northwest of Kavala on the northern border of the marsh that in antiquity, covered the entire plain separating it from the Pangaion Hills to the south.

Originally named Crenides, it was renamed by Philip II of Macedon in 356 BC and abandoned in the 14th century after the Ottoman conquest. The present village of Filippoi is located near the ruins of the ancient city and is part of the region of East Macedonia and Trace in Kavala, Greece.

The archaeological site was classified as a UNESCO site in 2016 because of its exceptional Roman architecture, its urban layout as a smaller refection of Rome itself, and its importance in early Christianity.

Early Christian era

NT records a visit to the city by the apostle Paul during his second missionary journey (likely in Ad 49 or 50). Early Christians concluded that Paul had founded their community. Accompanied by Silas, Timothy and possibly by Luke, Paul is believed to have preached for the first time on European soil in Philippi. According to the NT, Paul visited the city on two other occasions, in AD 56 and 57.

Archaeological site where Paul established a strong church

The Epistle to the Philippians dates from around 61-62 and is believed to show the immediate effects of Paul’s instruction. The prosperity of the city in the 5th and 6th centuries was attributed to Paul and to his ministry. As in other cities, many new ecclesiastical buildings were constructed at this time ( seven). Some competed in size and decoration with the most beautiful buildings in Thessalonica, or with those of Constantinople.

River where Lydia is said to be baptized

River Zygakti - located 15 km from the city of Kavala and next to the archaeological site of Philippi. There, in the river Zygakti, is the point where the Apostle Paul baptized the first Christians of Europe, Lydia. By performing it, Paul supposedly laid the foundations for a Judeo-Christian European civilization.

The ruins of a prison where Paul and Silas had been kept

Wikipedia:

The evangelists are taken into custody, beaten and thrown in a Philippian jail for causing a public nuisance. An earthquake occurs that causes Paul’s cell door to open and his bonds to loosen up and it happened to all those within the prison. Jailer was about to kill himself, supposing all the prisoners had escaped. Acts 16: 25-31.

The Agora

The Roman Forum (in Greek, agora) is a massive square attesting to Philippi’s commercial significance. Agora means gathering place or assembly

5th and 6th century Basilica

Ruins of a large, three-aisled early Christian Basilica end of 5th century AD; another called Basilica B

First 5th century Basilica had floor mosaic with the name of St. Paul, Octagonal Basilica, dated from 343.

The Theater

Built in reign of Philip II in the 4th century BC.

Theaters were outdoors and the plays were performed in daylight. The actors wore heavy costumes and masks, and performing in the Greek theater required strenuous physical and vocal exertion, which would have been impractical in hot weather. Each play was usually only ever performed once. Greek theaters were huge.

Drama was used as a way of investigating the world they lived in and what it meant to be human.

Title image credit

More to come...

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