BIBLICAL ANATOLIA

Christianity has a long history in Anatolia (Turkey) with being birthplace of numerous Christian Apostles and Saints such as Paul of Tarsus, Timothy, Nicholas of Myra, Polycarp of Smyrna and many others. Constantinople (Istanbul) and Antioch (Antakya) was two out of the five ancient Pentarchy centers in Turkey. 

For the first time in history, Antioch was the place where the followers of Jesus were called "Christians" , as well as being the site of one of the earliest and oldest surviving churches, established by Saint Peter himself.

Anatolia (Turkey) is also home to the Seven Churches of Asia, where the Revelations of Christianity has been sent by the Saint Paul , who taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world. 

All of the first seven Ecumenical Councils which are recognised by both the Western and Eastern churches were held in present day Turkey. 

Another recognised holy site for pilgrimage by the Catholic and Orthodox churches, today located at Ephesus in Western Turkey . Which Apostle John is reputed to have taken Virgin Mary to this place, where she spent the last days of her life in a small house, known as the House of the Virgin Mary. 

The historical and cultural relations between Anatolia and the Biblical world start at the beginning of the Old Testament (Genesis 2:14) with the Tigris and the Euphrates, two of the rivers which flow through the Garden of Eden and forms Mesopotamia (Land of Rivers).