What does the town of Philippi look like now?

Welcome back to our Bible Study Blog. Thank you for all that have contacted me and encouraged me. I appreciate your kindness.

Since I love history, I thought that it would be interesting to do a little background/sidebar study on the history of Philippi before we start with Chapter One. What does the town of Philippi look like now? Paul was writing this letter from jail or house arrest in Rome to the Philippians who had been so kind to him when he ministered in their town.


My research has told me that the ancient town of Philippi was near the town of Kavala, Greece. That would be at the North Eastern top of the map of Greece, right below Bulgaria. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/greece

Here are some pictures of what the "town" looks like today:

(1 of 18)
Greece: Philippi: Acropolis (1 of 18)

(3 of 18)
Greece: Philippi: Bascilica B (3 of 18) (Bascilica means a large oblong building used for a court of law, public assemblies or a church.)

(14 of 18)
Traditional site of the prison at Philippi

Greece: Philippi: Via Egnatia (17 of 18) (A road which stretched for 696 miles through Roman provinces. It was named after Gnaeus Egnatius ((Gesundheit!)), the governor of Macedonia.)

Map of the Via Egnatia: (The red line is the Via Egnatia.)

Top 4 pictures from http://www.padfield.com/greece/philippi/

Map from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Egnatia

http://www.bibleplaces.com/philippi.htm

Toilets!! Public bathrooms were not uncommon in ancient Roman cities, such as these in Philippi. http://www.bibleplaces.com/philippi.htm Facts about Philippi: Founded in the 4th century B.C. and renamed after King Philip of Macedon, Philippi was an important outpost on the Via Egnatia. The Via Egnatia was built beginning in 145 B.C. This route was Rome's primary artery to the east and Philippi was an important outpost along the road. The Egnatian Way made it easier for Rome to move troops throughout the empire and it was the route that Paul traveled on from Neapolis to Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia and Thessalonica. Philippi means "Fountains" and is located near the head of the Aegean Sea and at the foot of Mt. Orbelos. Paul preached for the first time on European soil in Philippi (Acts 16:12-40) and baptized a woman named Lydia, a purple dye merchant in a river to the west of the city. In 49 or 50 A.D., Paul was imprisoned with Silas in the Philippian jail. An earthquake caused their prison to be opened. (Acts 16:16-24) Paul visited the city on two other occasions in 56 and 57 A.D. The Book of Philippians dates from around 61 and 62 A.D. I liked what wikipedia.org had to say about the Book of Philippians: "The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger, with contributions to meet the needs of Paul; and on his return Paul sent this letter with him. With this precious communication, Epaphroditus sets out on his homeward journey. The joy caused by his return, and the effect of this wonderful letter when first read in the church of Philippi, are hidden from us. And we may almost say that with this letter the church itself passes from our view. Today, in silent meadows, quiet cattle browse among the ruins which mark the site of what was once the flourishing Roman colony of Philippi, the home of the most attractive church of the apostolic age. But the name and fame and spiritual influence of that church will never pass. To myriads of men and women in every age and nation the letter written in while he was under house arrest in Rome, and carried along the Via Egnatia by an obscure Christian messenger, has been a light divine and a cheerful guide along the most rugged paths of life." So...in answer to the title of this post...nothing but ruins. But we have the Book of Philippians. God's Word will never pass away.. "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Luke 21:3 Please join me next week, when we will start in on the first chapter of Philippians and see how far we get... In His Service, Debbie Gerstenberger www.crossgenerations.org