Day Four - Veria

Tuesday’s adventures as we headed towards Veria in central Greece (Berea) after leaving Thessaloniki. We visited the tribune to the Apostle Paul, a “global monument of religious heritage”, where 2000 years ago it is very possible that the Apostle Paul preached to the honorable and accepting Jews and Greeks. He was received well here.

Notice in the mosaic that St. Paul is standing on the bema, an elevated step. Back in those days every agora would have had a bema and the one featured here under the center mosaic is very likely where Paul preached.

Mom read the story from Acts 17 where Silas and Timothy remained after Paul had been sent away:

10That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. 12Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing. 13But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds. 14Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.Read more