Apollonia, Greece

by David Padfield

 

After preaching in Philippi, Paul and Silas "passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia" and finally arrived at "Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews" (Acts 17:1).

Appolonia was a Macedonian town located south of Lake Bolbe. Thessalonica was just over 35 miles to the east, and Amphipolis was about 30 miles to the west. The Via Egnatia passed through the town and connected these cities.

Neither Amphipolis nor Apollonia had a Jewish synagogue. In all likelihood, Paul spent the night at Appolonia on his journey to Thessalonica. While there is no record of Paul having preached in this city, a modern monument, written in both Greek and English, says, "Here Took Place St. Paul's Speech." The inscription also includes the text of Acts 17:1. The plaque is located on the side of a very small hill (on the left side of the photo above), less than a mile from the modern Via Egnatia.