Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The evangelisation of Asia Minor is described in detail the Acts of the Apostles and in some of the letters of Saint Paul.
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34 AD (circa) - Saul of Tarsus becomes a follower of Christ
Saul, a devout Jew, after the crucifixion began to persecute followers Jesus Christ and may have even approved the stoning to death of deacon Stephen, the first Christian martyr. On his way to Damascus with letters to arrest followers of Christ, Saul of Tarsus has a vision of Christ who asks "why are you persecuting me?" Saul undergoes a change of heart. Blinded by the light of Christ he can only find his way through baptism. Now Paul himself becomes a convinced follower of Christ and the greatest persecutor becomes one of the greatest preachers of the faith in Asia Minor and Greece. The Acts of the Apostles narrate three great missionary journeys of Paul.
44 AD (circa) - Paolo in Asia Minor
A few years later Paul accompanied by Barnabas takes the road for Cyprus. He converts the pro-consul and goes to Asia Minor, to the towns of Antioch in Pisidia, Lystra and Derbe establishing several new communities of Christians. He was often stoned by members of Jewish communities in the region. He returned to Antioch in 47 AD, and would make two more journeys in the year 50 and the year 54.
48 AD (circa) - Meeting of the Council of Jerusalem
The leaders of the Church in Jerusalem have a meeting with Paul and Barnabas to discuss whether pagans who embrace the Christian faith should observe Jewish Law. It is agreed that conversion to Christ is sufficient for the salvation of converts of non Jewish origin. Many non Jews are converted to Christianity and there is a danger of a break between the new religion and its roots, the Jewish religion.
50 AD (circa) - Paul set off again for Asia Minor
Having returned from a mission of three years, after the council meeting in Jerusalem Paul sets out again for mission in Asia Minor. This time accompanied by Silas and Timothy. After encouraging the faith of the communities he had established in Lystra, Derbe and Antioch in Pisidia, he set sail for Macedonia where he established the communities of the Philippians and Thessalonians and spent some time in Athens and then Corinth where he founded a new community. Christianity spread despite opposition on the part of local Jewish communities.
54 AD (circa) - Paul's last missionary journey
Paul undertakes a third missionary journey. He starts out from Antioch, crosses Asia Minor, spending some time at Ephesus. He goes to Macedonia and then Corinth, in Greece and lastly to Tyre. On his way he writes Letters which are now part of the New Testament. He says farewell to the Christians in Ephesus and then goes to Jerusalem where the Holy Spirit tells him that "chains and tribulation await me … You will not see me again” (Acts 20, 22b.25). The Acts of the Apostles narrate his arrest in Jerusalem for causing trouble among the Jewish community. He is detained in prison in Caesarea for two years. As a Roman citizen he is taken to Rome to be tried by the Emperor. There he is kept under house arrest, later put in prison and then in persecutions ordered by Nero in about the year 65-67 put to death (beheaded, the execution for a Roman citizen) with a few thousand other Christians in Rome including Saint Peter who was crucified head downwards. (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/4/2007; righe 49, parole 656)
