Neapolis

9TH STOP OF PAUL'S SECOND JOURNEY

Kavala, Macedonia Region of Greece

"From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[a] of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days." ACTS 16:11-12

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"COME OVER TO MACEDONIA AND HELP US"

The year was 51 AD when a weather-beaten ship from Troas approached the harbor of Neapolis. Among its passengers was none other than Paul, whose vision from the Macedonian man saying "come over to Macedonia and help us," compelled him to make this journey. As the ship entered the harbor, the bustling port city rose before him, a bridge between land and sea to the Roman Empire. This was no ordinary arrival – it marked Christianity's first documented step onto European soil.

What would be going through Paul's mind when first disembarking the ship and fighting his way through the merchants, fisherman, and soldiers prevalent at port cities? Perhaps its not a stretch to assume he felt like a fish out of water stepping onto those unfamiliar docks. Sure, he'd seen plenty of ports, but this was different – this was Macedonia, a place that wasn't even on his radar until that recent vision. Where would he find friendly faces? A synagogue? A place to sleep? He only knew one thing for certain: someone here had called for help, and he'd sailed across the Aegean to answer.

A mosaic depicting Paul stepping foot into Macedonia for the first time, found outside the Agios Nikolaos church in the center of Kavala.

GATEWAY TO THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Neapolis stood at a crucial crossroads to the Roman Empire. The Via Egnatia, Rome's great highway connecting the Aegean to the Adriatic Sea, ran right through this port, stretching westward towards Rome and eastwards towards Byzantium. Here, East met West, creating a vibrant tapestry of humanity that would both challenge and aid Paul's mission. Roman officials moved through the streets with authority, reminding all who was in power. Greek and Jewish merchants lived side by side, one relying on human wisdom and the other on religious traditions. And then there was Paul, carrying a message that would shake the foundations of both Roman and Greek society.

From Neapolis, the road led inland to Philippi, where Paul's European ministry would begin in earnest. It only makes senses why Paul would choose this direction - Philippi being the leading city of Macedonia. In each city that followed – Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and beyond – Paul would challenge the very nature of community. Where Rome built empire through power and Greek culture through philosophy, Paul spoke of a different kind of unity: a divine family that transcended the barriers of ethnicity, social status, and gender. This radical vision of community would find fertile ground in Macedonia, where the first European churches would take root. The message that began at Neapolis's harbor was both simple and revolutionary: the God of the universe was creating a family, not an empire. This family would be bound not by Roman law or Greek wisdom, but by adoption through faith. As Paul took his first steps on European soil, he carried an invitation that would echo through centuries – an invitation to join a household where slave and free, Greek and barbarian, male and female could all find belonging.

The Aqueduct of Kavala, one of the landmarks of the city. Of Roman origin, the present structure was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century.

HOW TO VISIT NEAPOLIS TODAY?

Today, ancient Neapolis lives on as modern Kavala, a picturesque coastal city in northern Greece. Visitors can walk the same harbor where Paul first stepped onto European soil, though the ancient port now lies beneath the modern waterfront. The city's most striking landmark is the Byzantine-Ottoman aqueduct, locally known as the Kamares, which spans the old city with its imposing arches. While few structures from Paul's time remain visible, the ancient Roman Via Egnatia can still be traced through the city, and portions of the original Roman road are preserved. For those following in Paul's footsteps, Kavala serves as the starting point for exploring other significant sites along his Macedonian journey. The ancient ruins of Philippi lie just 15 kilometers inland, featuring well-preserved remains of the Roman forum, theater, and the traditional site of Lydia's baptism. The archaeological park at Philippi, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers visitors a tangible connection to the world Paul encountered as he brought his message of faith and family to European soil.