Category: Biblical Turkey

Biblical sites in Turkey are more numerous than in any country except Israel — the Seven Churches of Revelation, the missionary journeys of St. Paul, and the last home of the Virgin Mary are all here in Anatolia, and this category collects everything I have written about them. I am Hasan Gülday, a licensed tour guide based in Kuşadası, and guiding Christian travellers through these sites has been one of the deepest privileges of my working life.

Here you will find my articles on the Seven Churches that received the letters of Revelation — Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea — including what remains at each site today and what the letters meant to the communities who first heard them. I write about the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk, built over the tomb where tradition says the apostle was laid to rest, and about the House of the Virgin Mary on Nightingale Mountain, a place of pilgrimage for Christians and Muslims alike. There are posts on St. Paul in Ephesus, on the riot in the Great Theatre described in Acts 19, and on the early church history that unfolded across this land.

I write these articles for pilgrims, for Bible-study groups, and for curious travellers who simply want to understand what they are seeing. Scripture becomes remarkably vivid when you stand in the actual theatre, the actual agora, the actual harbour street that the text describes — that connection between page and place is what I try to give every guest.

If you are planning a faith-focused journey, whether a single day at Ephesus or a longer route through the Seven Churches, I would be honoured to serve as your guide at these sacred sites — contact me and let us walk them together.

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Saint Jerome

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June 21, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 2 min read

Nerva and the Christians After Domitian

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June 19, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 4 min read

Nicolaitans and Nicolaitanism

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June 17, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 3 min read

Prochorus of Patmos

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June 16, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read

Irenaeus of Lyon

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June 16, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read

Apostle Gaius of Ephesus

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June 16, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read

Ignatius of Antioch

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June 16, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read

Nestorius of Constantinople

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June 16, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read

Hippolytus of Rome

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June 16, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read

Cyril of Alexandria

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June 16, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read

Saint Polycarp of Smyrna

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June 9, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 8 min read

Polycrates of Ephesus

Polycrates of Ephesus was the bishop of Ephesus in the late second century AD and one of the most important Christian leaders of Asia Minor of his day. He is remembered above all for a single bold act: when the bishop of Rome tried to force every church to celebrate Easter on a Sunday, Polycrates wrote a fearless letter defending the ancient tradition of Asia — a tradition he traced all the way back to the apostles John and Philip, who lay buried in his own region. His stand is one of the most revealing episodes in the early history of the Church.

June 9, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 6 min read

Cities Visited by Apostle Paul in Asia Minor

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June 4, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 25 min read

Pagan to Christian Asia Minor

Discover how pagan Asia Minor transitioned to Christianity. Explore the history of Ephesus, the Temple of Artemis, and ancient Turkey with Hasan Gülday.

June 4, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 6 min read

Martyrs And Important Figures of Seven Churches of Revelation

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May 19, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 14 min read

The Letter to Smyrna: “Be Faithful Unto Death”

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May 19, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 9 min read

The Church of Smyrna: The Faithful City Under Persecution

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May 18, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 9 min read

The Letter to Sardis: “Be Watchful and Strengthen What Remains”

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May 12, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 10 min read

The Church of Philadelphia: The Open Door of Asia Minor

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May 11, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 10 min read

What Happened in Ephesus in the Bible

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May 6, 2026 · Biblical Turkey · 11 min read

10 Biblical Events That Took Place in Ephesus

Ephesus, an ancient city in present-day Turkey, played a crucial role in early Christianity, marked by significant biblical events. Paul's missionary journeys, the establishment of the Ephesian Church, and remarkable events such as the burning of sorcery scrolls and the riot of the silversmiths illustrate the city's profound impact on Christianity's spread. Additional contributions from figures like Priscilla, Aquila, and John, including the writing of the Book of Revelation, further highlight Ephesus's historical and religious significance.

May 14, 2024 · Biblical Turkey · 5 min read

Holy Bible and Ephesus

Early Christianity blossomed in Ephesus thanks to the apostle Paul’s transformative ministry. The Epistle to the Ephesians, which stands as a biblical cornerstone, reflects the city’s…

January 3, 2024 · Biblical Turkey · 4 min read

Saint Paul Trail in Turkey

In our country, especially long-distance trekking routes and trails have attracted a lot of attention lately. The long journey of Saint Paul, one of the most…

April 20, 2022 · Biblical Turkey · 2 min read

Thyatira the Misled Church

Location and Importance of Thyatira Located on the Izmir – Istanbul road, Akhisar District was founded on the ancient city of Thyateira also known as Thyatira,…

February 13, 2022 · Biblical Turkey · 5 min read

Philadelphia Church of Seven Churches from Revelation

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February 11, 2022 · Biblical Turkey · 2 min read

Soreg Inscription

So.reg Inscription (also known as Temple Warning inscription) was found in the temple courtyard during the second temple excavation in the city of Jerusalem in 1871…

April 7, 2021 · Biblical Turkey · 3 min read

Epistle to the Ephesians

Epistle to the Ephesians is the forty-ninth book of the Bible and the tenth book of the New Testament. It was written by Paul to Ephesians.…

February 12, 2021 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read

Apollos in Ephesus

Apollos was a first century apostle who was born as Jewish and later converted into Christianity. His name was mentioned several time in the New Testament.…

January 18, 2021 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read

Hermione of Ephesus

Hermione of Ephesus was not born in ancient Ephesus city. We know this since she was known to arrive to Asia Minor then to Ephesus looking…

December 18, 2020 · Biblical Turkey · 1 min read