Antioch is located on the southeastern part of Turkey. Modern name of Antioch is Antakya today. Antioch was founded by one of the generals of Alexander the Great called Seleucus the first Nicator.
Antioch on the Orontes was one of the great cities of the Roman East, and the Bible says the disciples were first called Christians there (Acts 11:26). Barnabas, Paul and Peter all appear in its story, and so does the cave church of Saint Peter near Antakya.
| Province | Hatay |
|---|---|
| Founded | About 300 BC |
| River | The Orontes, called the Asi in Turkish |
| In the Bible | Acts 11:26 and Acts 13:1-3 |
Being located on the crossroads of Silk Route and Persian King’s Road made the city an attraction center and its habitants became rich thanks to spice trade. Seleucid Empire used Antioch as their capital and after the arrival of Roman Empire, Antioch became the capital of the newly founded Roman Syria Province.
Population of Antioch went up to 250.000 people of many cultures and religions. Antioch could be considered as the most important center of Hellenistic Judaism during the second temple era.
Thanks to its perfect multicultural background Antioch became the center of early Christianity. Peter himself visited Antioch and the earliest church building was built in his name in Antioch. Also, Apostle Paul was from Tarsus nearby Antioch which made this city one of the earliest possible places where Paul preached.
Antioch slowly started to decline with the arrival of Arab raids and eventually lost importance thanks to changes in the trade routes. Today Antioch has a population of 220.000 which is still less than its former glory.
Antioch in the Bible
Antioch in the Bible usually means this city, where a big church of Jews and Greeks together grew. Jerusalem sent Barnabas, who went on to Tarsus to fetch Saul, and they taught there for a whole year (Acts 11:20-26). Later the church sent both men out on their first journey (Acts 13:1-3).
Do not mix it up with Antioch in Pisidia, nearby today’s Yalvaç, where Paul preached in the synagogue (Acts 13:14-16).
The Cave Church of Saint Peter
Just outside Antakya is the Church of Saint Peter, cave cut into the mountainside and about 13 meters deep. Tradition says Peter preached here, and the oldest parts of the building date back to the 4th or 5th century at least. Antakya was badly damaged in the 2023 earthquakes, so please ask what is open before you go.
Antioch was also the capital of the Roman province of Syria. One of its bishops was Ignatius of Antioch, and its mosaics are in my post on the world’s largest ancient floor mosaic in Turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Antioch mentioned in the Bible?
Mostly in Acts, from chapter 11 on. Acts 6:5 also names Nicolas of Antioch, one of the seven men chosen in Jerusalem, and Galatians 2:11 says Peter came to Antioch.
Who started the church in Antioch?
Believers who left Jerusalem after the persecution that followed Stephen’s death. Some were from Cyprus and Cyrene, and they spoke to Greeks as well as Jews, so a great number believed (Acts 11:19-21).
