(SNR) – Father Brendan Kelly will host an informational meeting about a 2023 pilgrimage to Greece, “The Footsteps of St. Paul.”
The meeting will be held Sunday, July 24 at 7 p.m. in St. John the Apostle Parish’s social hall, 7601 Vine St., Lincoln.
Father Kelly will lead the pilgrimage May 31-June 9, 2023, with an optional four-day island cruise extension June 9-13.
“As you may know,” Father Kelly said, “Paul is considered to have been possibly the most important and influential of all the saints.”
Originally a Pharisee, Paul was a vicious persecutor of Christians, even condemning many to death. After a vision on the road to Damascus, he converted to Christianity.
Paul then “evangelized thousands of people throughout much of Europe, wrote many letters explaining the way people should live as Christians that are now important parts of our Holy Bible,” he continued. “He was imprisoned multiple times for preaching the word of God and the works of Jesus. He was eventually beheaded and died a martyr.”
Father Kelly described the pilgrimage to Greece as an opportunity to follow in St. Paul’s footsteps through ancient Macedonia and Achaia. Participants will visit Thessaloniki, Kavala and Philippi and then travel overland to Delphi, Athens, and Corinth. They will visit Athens, exploring both ancient and modern sites.
The 10-day tour will “seamlessly combine the best of the old and the new,” he said.
“We will experience an amazing tour of this beautiful country, with all the majesty, history, and culture that made Greece what it is today – along with the life of St. Paul as we walk in his footsteps getting a better understanding of how he helped changed the course of Christianity forever.”
At the end of the 10-day tour, pilgrims may also choose to add a four-day island cruise to the islands of Mykonos, Santorini and the ancient city of Ephesus, home of the Temple of Athena, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the islands of Patmos where St. John had visions of heaven and Crete.
“Upon returning home, your understanding of the events of the New Testament will be forever enriched,” Father Kelly said.
For more information contact Barb Wallingford at 402-430-5811 or Executive Travel at 402-435-8888 and ask for the Group Department. A full brochure is available online at ExecutiveTravel.com/vacations/escorted tours/ and scroll down to May 2023.
