Constantinople / Istanbul - Ancient and Modern - Crossroads of the World

Constantinople / Istanbul - Ancient and Modern - Crossroads of the World
Istanbul/constantinople - Ancient/Modern - View of the Old City from across the Golden Horn, atop the Galata Tower.

Virtual Pilgrimage Diary (Last Year, 2012)

Day-by-day on the Pilgrimage.  Make a "Virtual Pilgrimage" with us. Follow us each day by clicking on the day's link below.  I will be revising each day's itinerary with pictures, links and a diary with comments and reflections on each days activities. I hope you will check back often to keep in touch with our "Pilgrims' Progress."  I wish you many blessings.  Pray for us as we are praying for you. Allah'a emanet ol! (God bless you.) With love, Fr. Tom Welbers.

Day 0 - Sunday, April 8, 2012 - Easter Sunday Departure

Day 1 - Monday, April 9, 2012 - Arrival in Istanbul

Day 2 - Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - Free Day in Istanbul; Official Opening

Day 3 - Wednesday, April; 11, 2012 - Istanbul Orientation Tour: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Bosphorus Cruise, Mass at St. Esprit Cathedral

Day 4 - Thursday, April 12, 2012 - Gallipoli, Troy, Çanakkale

Day 5 - Friday, April 13, 2012 - Çanakkale, Alexandria Troas, Gulpinar, Assos, Pergamum, Izmir

Day 6 - Saturday, April 14, 2012 - Izmir, Sardis, Kuşadası

Day 7 - Sunday, April 15, 2012 - Full day in Ephesus; Mass at Mary's House

Day 8 - Monday, April 16, 2012 - Aphrodisias, Hierapolis

Day 9 - Tuesday, April 17, 2012 - Laodicea, Antioch-in-Pisidia, Konya

Day 10 - Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - Konya, Çatalhöyük, Silifke, Mersin

Day 11 - Thursday, April 19, 2012 - Tarsus, Antakya (Antioch-on-the-Orontes)

Day 12 - Friday, April 20, 2012 - Full Day in Antakya

Day 13 - Saturday, April 21, 2012 - Antakya, Cappadocia

Day 14 - Sunday, April 22, 2012 - Full Day in Cappadocia

Day 15 - Monday, April 23, 2012 - Cappadocia, Hattuşaş, Ankara

Day 16 - Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - Ankara, Yassihöyük, Bursa

Day 17 - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - Bursa, Iznik (Nicaea), Istanbul

Day 18 - Thursday, April 26, 2012 - Istanbul: Archaeological Museum, Topkapı Palace, Mass at St.  Antoine Church

Day 19 - Friday, April 27, 2012 - Istanbul: Visit with Patriarch Bartholomew I and other Byzantine/Orthodox sites, Friday Prayer at Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, Final Mass and Farewell Dinner

Day 20 - Saturday, April 28, 2012 - Official End of Pilgrimage; First Day of Extension in Istanbul

Day 21 - Sunday, April 29, 2012 - Second Day of Extension in Istanbul: Mass with Chaldean Catholic Community

Day 22 - Monday, April 30, 2012 - Third Day of Extension in Istanbul: Synagogue and Jewish Museum

Day 23 - Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - Fourth Day of Extension in Istanbul

Day 24, Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - End of Extension in Istanbul: Return Home