Talking at the Synagogue of Thessaloniki on three Saturdays of the year 49 A.D, St. Paul sowed the fruitful seed of the Christian message in the heart of Thessalonians and the European Continent.
His teachings provoked the Roman authorities, but his local followers helped him escape through the City Walls. St. Paul founded the Church of Thessaloniki and an imposing church dedicated to his memory stands in the city.
If you ask the priests of the church, they will tell you the story of «St. Paul’s holy water spring», where the Apostle stopped to quench his thirst on the outskirts of the city.
The next stop of the itinerary is at nearby Veroia, where pilgrims can visit the Tribune [Vema] where St. Paul preached the Christian faith. An elaborate statue of the Apostle stands there officially revealed by Kirill (Cyril), the Holy Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus.
Every year the festival of ‘Pauleia’ is held, with events and scientific conferences dedicated to St. Paul’s memory. It is worth climbing up the winding road of Mt. Vermion to breathe in the fresh air and worship at Panagia Soumela [Madonna at Melas’ place] Monastery, an eternal symbol of Pontos (Black Sea) Hellenism.
