2025 Greek Pilgrimage - Day Four

Walking in Paul’s Footsteps: A Day in Corinth

Today’s journey took us to the ancient city of Corinth, a place rich with history, ruins, and echoes of the Apostle Paul’s ministry. 

On our way, we crossed the Corinth Canal. The Corinth Canal is one of Greece’s great engineering feats, a narrow waterway that cuts through the Isthmus of Corinth to connect the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Though the idea dates back to ancient times—Nero even attempted to dig it in the 1st century AD—the canal wasn’t completed until 1893. Stretching 3.7 miles long and only about 70 feet wide, it was a marvel of 19th-century engineering, allowing smaller ships to avoid the long and dangerous trip around the Peloponnese. Today, it’s too narrow for most modern cargo vessels, but it remains both a landmark and a symbol of Greece’s enduring ties to the sea.

Arriving in Corinth, we’re reminded this is where Paul met Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers who would become close partners in his mission. Scripture tells us that Paul received a vision from the Lord during this time.

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

Acts 18:9-10

This is also the place where Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, once listened to Paul’s words and believed, along with many others who were baptized.

Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.

Acts 18:8

Before leaving the ruins, we took a moment to stand on the Bema, the platform where Paul was brought before Gallio to face accusations from the Jews (Acts 18:12–18).

Alongside the ruins was an Archaeological Museum, where we learned that the statues in this area came from other parts of Greece, headless…so one could easily change out the heads as new leaders came to power.😳

Our journey then led us to the port town of Cenchreae, from which Paul later set sail for Syria. 

Lunch was another long Greek-style affair along the Corinth Canal…we even got to see several boats pass by.

Which is the perfect segue for another Greek fun fact…Greece is a maritime powerhouse, controlling one of the largest merchant fleets in the world. The shipping industry, along with tourism, are the top inputs for the Greek economy.

After lunch, we returned to Athens. One surprising thing about Athens is the graffiti. It’s everywhere—on walls, doors, even ancient-looking buildings. Some of it is political, some sports themed, and others just messy tags, but then you’ll turn a corner and see a piece of gorgeous street art. It’s chaotic and beautiful at the same time.

Once back at the hotel, several of us hopped in a cab and headed down to the old Athens marketplace... a little bit crazy, but so much fun!

This is our last evening all together. James and I leave for the 3-day cruise extension tomorrow morning, where we’ll visit Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, and Santorini, while the rest of the group will tour Athens (Acropolis, Propylaea, Parthenon, and the Erechtheum) and leave for home on Saturday.

Whew, another fabulous day here in Greece!

Donna Matthews

P.S. The luggage was FOUND and RETURNED this evening!!