Turkey - NET

Today territories of Republic of Turkey resting on the Asia continent are determining the boundaries of Asia Minor and it can be so surprising for someone who may not have done any research about Asia Minor to comprehend how much of both historical and Biblical value that it holds. In most of the guidebooks Asia Minor is defined as “melting pot of the civilizations” which is a true statement to make when you think that mankind started living on this portion of land as early as 7th millennia BC. In every corner of today’s Turkey there is hidden a piece of history, archaeology and a Biblical story. Among the earliest people of Asia Minor mentioned in the Bible we note the Hittites that created an ultimate level of civilization both culturally and economically which was one of the two leading nations of the Old Testament in the 2nd and 1st millennium BC.

Various minor tribes got settled and developed sophisticated style of life on the shores of Euphrates and Tigris that both rise in Eastern regions of Asia Minor where Mount Ararat became the scene of landing of Noah’s Ark after the Great Flood.

In the following centuries Asia Minor lad a very important role in both the Hellenistic and the Roman life becoming the home country for many philosophers, scientists and commanders. During the Roman Imperial period, Asia Minor was densely populated having settlements such as Ephesus, Miletus, Antioch in Pisidia, Pergamon and Laodicea that ruled the commercial and political life. Ephesus was appointed as the Capital of Province of Asia Minor of the Roman Empire that was trademark to testify its leading role on this valuable region of the Empire. When one realizes that the population was so high in Roman cities in Asia Minor, where disciples could easily reach big crowds to speak the Word of God, then the fact that Asia Minor became the major destination to spread the message of Christ is no surprise.

After crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Asia Minor was given to St.John as the land where he should concentrate on his mission of teaching the Word of God. Following his conversion, Paul led the flag of Christianity by his missionaries visiting almost all the important Roman cities of Asia Minor while Paul himself was a native of this land originating from Tarsus. In fact, Disciples of Christ pronounced the name “Christian” for the first time in Antioch that rests within the borders of today’s Turkey. All the Seven Churches mentioned in the Revelation of St.John are the early congregations of seven important Roman cities which have their remains in today’s Turkey.

Christian history kept forming itself in Asia Minor even after missionaries of the disciples of Christ.

During 4th century, the first organized church was founded by St.George in Cappadocia region of central Turkey, who also cooperated with St.Basil in the establishment of one of the earliest centers of monasticism in this region. The First Ecumenical Council of Christianity was hold in 325 AD in Nicea that is only three hours drive southeast of Istanbul where the Bible was assembled from among the texts that were brought in by leaders of congregations from different parts of the world. In Nicea another very important phenomenon took place that the Church was spread in the Eastern and Western divisions during the Ecumenical Council of 8th century. It was Ephesus where Divine Motherhood of Virgin Mary was accepted as a Church doctrine in 5th century.

Today’s Turkey, Asia Minor, has so much Biblical wealth and has been the scene of so many Biblical stories that it might even be right to name it as “Second Holy Land”.

We, as members of NET family, are looking forward to hosting you and delivering you unforgettable spiritual journeys following steps of Christian fathers and their heritage.

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