Berea, modern day Veria

We journeyed to Veria, known in ancient times as Berea. Once the second most important city in the flourishing Macedonian kingdom after Aigai. Nestled at the foothills of Mount Vermion and crossed by the River Tripotamo, Veria’s natural beauty is matched only by its historical depth.
From the 11th to the 14th century, Veria rose to prominence again, becoming the third most significant city in the Byzantine Empire after Constantinople and Thessaloniki. Its abundance of Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches earned it the nickname “Little Jerusalem.”
Apostle Paul visited Berea at least twice between 50 and 57 A.D., where he was warmly received by both the citizens and the Jewish community, a rare welcome in his missionary travels.
We explored the remains of the ancient town square, where but three stone steps are believed to mark the very spot where Paul preached. The authenticity of the site is reinforced by the remnants of the Via Egnatia, which still threads through the town’s main road.
Next, we wandered through the Jewish quarter, home to the oldest synagogue in Greece. While it doesn’t date back to Paul’s time, it likely stands on the same sacred ground.
As we traveled, we speculated on the movements of Paul, Silas, and Timothy after their expulsion from Thessalonica, a historical puzzle pieced together from Acts and Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians.
Our final destination was Vergina, where we stood in awe before one of archaeology’s greatest finds: the royal tombs of King Philip II and his grandson, Alexander IV, son of Alexander the Great.
This UNESCO World Heritage site lies on the grounds of ancient Aigai, the first capital of the Macedonian kingdom and the cradle of Greek civilization for over three centuries. It was here that we read from Daniel chapters 2, 7, 8, and 12, reflecting on the prophecy:
“And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity…” — Daniel 11:4
Alexander IV, along with his mother, was tragically murdered by Cassander in 309 BC to secure his rule, bringing an end to the Argead dynasty, the founding family of ancient Greece’s most legendary kingdom.もっと詳しく