After Philippi, Paul and Silas journeyed south to Thessaloniki (Acts 17:1-10, ESV). Located in the middle of Greece, and on the northwestern part of the Aegean Sea, Thessaloniki was (and is today) significant commercially and culturally. Named after Alexander the Great’s sister, it functioned as an independent city during Paul’s day, but would later become a Roman province.

Thessaloniki was highly valued among empires, changing hands several times. After Roman rule, Byzantium, the Bulgars, the Ottomans, and, starting in 1912, the Greeks ruled the city (Paul).

Paul’s preaching transformed the city, and the church he founded became influential. Though an angry mob forced him to leave, his New Testament letters to the church (1 and 2 Thessalonians) reveal that the church would go on to positively affect all of Greece (1 Thessalonians 1:6-9), and eventually, through the letters, the entire world.

One of the most famous passages in the letters regards the second coming of Christ (a future event), and Paul’s encouragement to Christians to be ready for that day. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-11).

If you ever travel to Thessaloniki, be sure to notice the Roman forum, the medieval walls, and the ancient churches, particularly the fifth-century Basilica of St. Demetrius.