74,704 Catholics in Asia

By Francis Xavier Chan

An Encyclopedia of Collected Stories. Two millennia worth of tales – from Ancient Rome to the Crusades, thru Colonialism to Nuclear War. From the Apostle Thomas in India, to Mother Teresa's Calcutta. From Saint Paul in Asia Minor to Saint Maximilan Kolbe in Japan. From Saint Helena and Saint Nicholas in Asia Minor, to Saint Francis Xavier and Thomas Merton in the Far East. More than 40 pieces about individuals and events that touched thousands of lives in Afghanistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Guam, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Francis Xavier Chan
• Release date: Apr 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370131853

Francis Xavier Chan

Francis Xavier Chan is a retired journalist who spent nearly 20 years as an editor for the Union of Catholic Asian News. He lives in Bangkok.

Book preview

Preface

This book was born in an editorial meeting; around the round table one air-conditioned afternoon in Bangkok – home of the Main Editorial Office of the Union of Catholic Asian News.

We were discussing the plausibility of a written Asian Church history.

It is impossible, one editor said. There are just too many countries, too many players, too many plots and too much time to cover. Each city, nation and region certainly has its own history and stories deserving of complete books.

We all agreed.

But it got me thinking: what if you focused, instead, on individuals, and let their stories reflect the larger reality? By exploring lives and works – adventuring, composing, healing, meditating, peace-making, preaching, publishing, sacrificing, studying, teaching, writing – you would definitely better understand.

Back at my desk I gave it yet more thought. If I was going to highlight Catholics in Asia, which ones would top the list?

You hold the result in your hands. Two millennia worth of tales – from Ancient Rome to the Crusades, thru Colonialism to Nuclear War.

Stories from Afghanistan, Armenia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Guam, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Vietnam … as well as another hundred kingdoms fallen to time.

Herein, the complete list looks something like:

abbots, artists, aunts, ascetics, architects, academics, archers, apostles, adventures, authors, attendants, aristocrats, astronomers, an automaker, altar boys and acolytes, admirals, alcoholics, apostatizers, archbishops, apostolic administrators, vicars and prefects … bishops, bankers, beggars, businessman, brothers, bohemians, beatas, butchers, baptists, brahmin, barons, blesseds, biographers … caesars, coolies, confreres, coppersmiths, crusaders, cardinals, calligraphers, captives, custodians, confessors, clerks, converts, carpenters, churchbuilders, catechists, clockmakers, cartographers, chemists, clerics, court painters, craftsmen, contemplatives, chaplains, couriers, coadjutors, colonials, cooks, country girls, critics, civil officers … doctors, dignitaries, daughters, dalits, day laborers, dentists, dispensaries, diplomats, destitute and dying, Daimyos, diwans, deputies, deacons, dump scavengers … evangelists, an empress, emissaries, envoys, exorcists, explorers, engineers, engravers, exiles, an escribano, editors, executive officers and entrepreneurs, educated elite, electricians, ecumenists, emancipators, émigrés … fishermen, film stars, firemen, farmers, forced labor, freedom fighters, freelance pirates, the faithful, families, founding fathers, friars, feudal chiefs … grandmothers, guards, guerillas, grocers, gardeners, government officials, guides, governors, geographers, generals, goldsmiths, grandchildren … handymen, humanitarians, historians, holy men, horsemen, humanists, helpers and houseboys, high chiefs, heroes, hosts, homebuilders, healers, heirs, human rights activists, housewives, hunters, hilltribes, homeless youth, hindus, higher-ups … itinerants, intellectuals, imperial inventors, importers, invalids, islanders, immigrants, insignificant illiterates, independents … a joven bisayo, juridical advisors, journalists, junior seminarians, judges... kidnappees, kings, knights, khanss, kumi, kids … lepers, lithographers, leaders, liberators, laborers, linguists, lecturers, liaisons, lieutenants, letterwriters, laity, literary types, lawyers, lecturers, legas, lyricists, librarians, lieges, landed gentry, laundry washers, leftists … mystics, martyrs, mothers, messengers, miracle workers, merchants, militiamen, mission societies, monastic leaders, magazine publishers, millionaires, mechanics, militia immaculatae, marchers, maids, masons, marian devotees, mustard seeds, magazine writers, the moneyed, mother superiors, mountain-folks, master stonecutters, mass media mavens, mathematicians, musicians, ministers, mandarins, mentors, minstrels, mentors, monks … nobel prize winners, nuclear war recovery, non-violent resistance, novices, navy, nurses, nuns, novelists, nobility, neighbors, nieces and nephews … orators, orphans, outcasts, order founders and foundress, officials, organizers, orchestra conductors … parents, paperboys, patriarchs, pawn-brokers, pastors, painters, pages, pamphleteers, parish councils, patrons and protectors, perfumers, penitents, pioneers, pithavu, pianists, pilgrims, pirates, politicians, prisoners, poets, potters, a pope, police officers, poor men, a portugal national assemblyman, publishers, puppet masters, philosophers, photographers, pharmacists, progressive leaders, preachers, priests, prophets, prisoners of war, professors, prisons guards, procurators, prior generals, printers, princes, provincials, presidents, plantation workers, public enemies, plumbers, provision bearers, a pencil in God's hand … a queen … rajas and rulers, refugees, reluctant saints, royal temple handlers, restauranteurs, researchers, revolutionaries, renaissance men, retreatants, rabble rousers, ragpickers, reformers, refugees, radio personalities, roof repairmen … sages, savings programs and seed banks, salesmen, sailors, samaurai, sanyasi, saints, sacristans, serfs, servants of god, settlers, sergeants, sentinels, seminarians, simple ministers and pastors, soldiers, songwriters, social workers, sons, a sommelier, sick suffering and starving, supervisors, speakers, scripture scholars, shepherds, slaves, student scholars, stoic synods, subsistence farmers, squatters, shoemakers, a superior of the city, sympathizers, shengren, scapegoats, schoolmasters, shogun, slavetraders, stigmata, spouses, standard-bearers, small income-generating works, scribes, spiritual advisors, smugglers, spies, social cornerstones, sculptors, scientists, a study group … typesetters, taxcollecters, thieves, travelers, theologians, translators, teachers, technicians, traitors and traders, tutors, tea masters, theatre directors, titular bishops, tertiaries, tribals, trouble makers, torture victims, treasure hunters, tailors … university types, the underground, unifiers, unmarried virgins, uncles … volunteers, vegetarians, victims, visionaries, vicars apostolic and generals, villagers and village heads, veil postulants, vocational training centers … wholesalers, wanderers, wisdom lovers, wardens, writers, warriors, wandering minstrels, widows, working poor, weavers, weeping rag-pickers, war victims and war critics, western devils …

{* those counted among the 70,000+ in the book’s title are in Bold, in chapters.}

Chapter One

The Early Church

an Introduction

"God is praised by the lands of Asia and the oceans surrounding them, the Himalayas with the highest peak in the world, and the immense rivers. God is praised by cities rich in millennial traditions, the centuries-old cultures; civilizations much more ancient than Europe.

It was Asia where Jesus Christ was born in the flesh. It was Asia where He preached the Good News, suffered, died, rose again, breathed the Holy Spirit upon His disciples and sent them to the ends of the earth to proclaim the Good News and gather together communities of believers"

- Pope John Paul II

The early church quickly spread wild on the heels of Pentecost, and Asia was of primary importance.

The entire Holy Family was Asian, and most of the early church, too. It was in Asia where the apostles first preached the Gospel, to each other.

Saint Paul stumbled on tough times there. "You know that everyone in Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. (2 Tim. 1:15). I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Luke is the only one with me." (2 Tim. 4:9-20)

Both Saints Peter and John wrote extensively to Asia. Peter wrote Gentile converts in Roman Asia’s five provinces: Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. (1 Peter, 1:1).

Asia was also home to the first Christian churches. John wrote seven major ones: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (Rev. 1: 4 and 11). Early Asian churches still thriving today include the Armenian, Greek, Jacobite, Latin and Nestorian rites.

The greatest Asian cities were easily Jerusalem and Antioch, the Mother Churches of the Jews and Gentiles, respectively. It was in Antioch that the fledgling Church community was first called "Christian" (Acts 11:26). The Latin Patriarchs of both Antioch and Constantinople survived well into the 13th century.

The list goes on: early church councils were held in Asia. Asia is rife with Great Fathers. Most early liturgical traditions first-grew in Asia. It was even in Asia – at the Council of Nicea - that the young Church first wrote down what it believed.

-il fine-

Saint Bartholomew

and Saint Thomas

As other apostles divided Africa and Europe, Saints Thomas and Bartholemew took a different tract; following the rising sun. They plunged thru the east, moving on trade routes, fresh with gospel; all the way to India.

They laid deep roots there, and the trees still stand. Diligent miracle-working missioners; in distant lands, with endless foreign tongues. They baptized thousands, grew and nurtured communities and founded hundreds of churches.

Saint Thomas is still considered the Great Apostle of the East. He first evangelized both Syria and Persia. Around that time, he also met Saint Bartholomew. The duo, together, further evangelized both Mesopotamia and Babylonia (Chaldea). Saint Bartholemew’s work in Babylon, in particular, was well documented by Origen (185-253 a.d.).

Tradition holds that the duo also brought Christianity to modern Afghanistan. Legends of Saint Thomas exist along the central Asian trade route. The region had a flourishing Christian community early, including the Diocese of Heart (5th century), and a metropolitan see (6th century).

Saint Thomas’ steps trace thru modern Pakistan. According to tradition he met Magi there, and also worked as a royal mason and architect.

In the apocryphal Acts of Thomas, the saint was invited there to build a palace by a government official he met in Jerusalem. King Gundaphorous ruled the Buddhist kingdom of Ghandara (500 b.c. to 200 a.d.), which had its spiritual center in Taxila (north of modern Islamabad).

The conclusion comes from the apocryphal Acts of Judas. Saint Thomas agreed, but spent the construction money on charitable works, and was imprisoned. But when the king’s brother Gad died, the angels brought him to heaven, where he saw the palace Saint Thomas built there, through his deeds. Gad was restored to life, and he and the king converted.

Archeologists have unearthed the court of an Indo-Parthian king (Greek: Gondophernes, or Gondophares; Indian: Guduphara) who ruled 19-45 a.d. Archeologists also uncovered a two-inch long cross, at a Buddhist monastery a few miles from Taxila, at Sirkap.

Onward – from Persia and Afghanistan, to and thru Pakistan into India – Saint Bartholomew kept to the land; some of the world’s most extreme. Tradition points him, ultimately, to northwest India. Bombay archdiocese, in particular, claims a strong ancient faith tradition and devotion to him. Perhaps none moreso than Vasai (formerly Bassein), near modern Mumbai.

Most of his stories in the region are lost in countless tongues; varying legends even describe his death. The most popular: flayed on the very eastern edge of modern Turkey.

Saint Thomas, meanwhile, ventured to India by sea. Maritime trade in the region had long flourished. Kerala’s verdant rivers, paddies and plantations still blossom cardamom, cinnamon, coconuts, coffee, pepper, rubber and tea. It was known as the spice coast long before Jesus Christ. Saint Thomas probably even rode in on trading vessels running between Alexandria and Malabar (52 a.d.).

His arrival is still felt in India today. He is a central figure in thousand-year-old family histories, and ancient songs and dances. Many Indians honor ancestors baptized by Saint Thomas himself. Millions more trace their spiritual lineage directly to him.

At least six churches claim the link, including: the Orthodox Syrian Church, the Independent Syrian Church of Malabar, the Church of the East and St. Thomas Evangelical Church. The Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle in India also carries on his legacy.

One tradition holds that Saint Thomas’ initial landing was in Cranganore, deep in the south of Kerala. The saint immediately fell on his knees and gave thanks to God for making him an ascetic, pauper and wanderer for God. He built and consecrated a small church with an altar there. According to tradition, the present Palayur church is India's oldest, and stands on the exact spot the saint landed.

Saint Thomas made his first converts among Jews and Hindus living in Palayur. One morning, he came upon a group of Hindus bathing, in a pond near the church. After seeing them throw water into the air; ritually - to worship the sun - the saint did likewise. When it hung in the air as roses, they were baptized.

He left Palayur soon thereafter for central and northern Kerala, where he established Ezharappallikal (seven and a half churches) – seven large churches, and one small one: Chayal (Nilackal); Kollam; Kottakavu; Kokkamangalam; Maliankara; Niranam; Palayur, and Thiruvithamkode (Travancore) – the half church.

Along the way, he traveled and preached. He fed the poor, healed the sick and demon-possessed, converted people from all castes, and ordained priests to succeed him. Converts in southern India were integrated into wider society, and employed as farmers and traders and soldiers. Saint Thomas Christians were treated as high caste. Hindus accepted them as such, even if they didn’t convert themselves.

According to local tradition, the saint frequently prayed on a hill inside a thick forest in present-day Malayattoor, and footprints appeared in the stone where he walked. The spot became a devotional attraction.

Another story is told by hilltribe people in the region, who saw a golden cross appear on a nearby mountain, radiating. Blood and light emanated. They quickly constructed a golden cross of their own.

Today, a chapel sits atop the hill, and St. Thomas Church (Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese) is headquartered at the hill’s base. The hilltop shrine is locally known as kurisumudi (cross mountain). The chapel shrine’s central features are the golden cross, and two large footprints in the rock.

Today, nuns carry wooden crosses nearly 2,000 feet up the hill as an act of penance on Good Friday. Pilgrims drink from a perennial spring nearby, and fill containers with the spring water to take home. Legend holds the spring first appeared on the rocky hilltop when the saint felt thirsty and struck the rock.

Saint Thomas may also have ventured north to China in 64 a.d. Physical and anecdotal evidence includes an era-specific iron cross, crafted with a Church-related couplet and an emblem of Sun Wu of the Three Kingdoms. Saint Francis Xavier also wrote (in 1546) that Saint Thomas converted several Chinese, even before traveling to India.

The apostle ultimately died between 68-72 a.d. at the hands of hostile Brahmins, under the order of Mylapore’s king.

The Portuguese traced the martyr spot and his tomb for some time in the 16th century. They heard many accounts, and visited many sights, finally settling on Mylapore (near modern Chennai) at a hillock now called St. Thomas Mount or Chinnamalai (little mount). The traditional burial site atop the mount has been venerated for 1,500 years.

San Thome Cathedral Basillica now stands in Chennai. It purports to hold the saint’s bones and part of the lance with which he was martyred.

In 232 a.d., his relics were taken to Edessa, Mesopotamia. They were also rumored to have surfaced on the Island of Chios, Greece (in 1258) and in Ortona, Italy.

Saint Thomas has multiple feast days: July 3 in the Roman and Syrian Churches; Oct. 6, in Greek churches, and Dec. 21 in western traditions.

Saint Bartholomew is venerated on June 11 in the east and August 24 in the west.

- il fine –

Saint Paul (5-67 a.d.)

"All the inhabitants of the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord, Jews and Greeks alike. So extraordinary were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the hands of Paul"

- Saint Luke (Acts 19:10-11).

Nobody did more work in the early Asian Church than Saint Paul. He ventured back and forth across Asia Minor on foot; evangelizing, teaching and preaching, appointing leadership, and visiting and praying with local communities. He traveled every inch of its coast, stopping frequently to change boats, reinforce supplies, and take shelter from the weather.

He targeted Asian communities - Colossians, Ephesians and Galatians – with great epistles. He praised Asian church leaders, like Epaenetus, the firstfruits in Asia for Christ (Romans 16:5), Archippur (Col 4:17), Carpus (2 Tim 4:13), Cresens (2 Tim 4:10), Epaphras (Col. 1:17), Onesimus (Col 4:9, 2 Tim 4:19) and Onesiphorus (2 Tim 4:19).

Among the ancient Asian cities Saint Paul visited were Damascus (ancient Syria); Derbe (southeastern Asia Minor); Iconium and Lystra (central Asia Minor); Miletus (western Asia Minor); Perga (capital of ancient Pamphylia); Pisidia (Asia Minor); Tarsus (southern Asia Minor); and Troas (northern Asia Minor).

Because Saint Paul was descended from Jews freed from Roman slavery, he and his parents had the rights and privileges of Roman citizens. They could not be scourged or crucified, or even imprisoned without a trial. Roman citizenship saved the saint many times, but he was finally arrested in Jerusalem, taken to Rome, and beheaded (62 a.d.).

# # #

Saint Paul was a native Asian; born in Tarsus; the southern-most portion of modern Turkey. His birth name was Saul, of the tribe of Benjamin, proudly descended from Jews freed from Roman slavery.

Tarsus was capital of the province of Cicilia (Greek: the flat, inner side of a wing). Legendarily, Pegasus dropped a wing there. Over the course of several centuries, the city came under Greek influence, Persian kings, Macedonian Alexander the Great, neighboring Syria, and finally Rome. It famously hosted the first meeting between Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

The city was the crossroads of Persian, Syrian and Roman influences. It was praised for its Greek academies, well known for its educators and poets, driven by its tent-and-sail textile industry, and home to a large and influential Jewish quarter. Saul probably worked as a textile merchant while studying Jewish law.

Another notable son of Tarsus was Barnabas, later known as the Son of Consolation and Son of Prophecy. Saul and Barnabas met early on, probably during studies. Barnabas later vouched for Saul in Jerusalem, after the latter was struck by God, and desired to convert (becoming Paul). The city also claims the evangelist Saint Luke, and early church pillar Apollonius. Several legends have placed all four in Tarsus at the same time together.

First Journey

Saint Paul’s first missionary journey began in the great capital of Antioch. From there he set sail: to the island of Cypress, up to Perga, in Asia Minor; from nearby Attalia just north, to Antioch of Pisidian.

He then ventured on foot southeast; thru the cities of Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Finally, he turned around and backtracked the entire route, reinforcing the Church along the way.

Antioch

Antioch was then preeminent in Rome’s Asia. Nestled into the Cilician and Syrian coasts; sprawling into the Orontes river valley. Mediterranean merchants loved it. It doubled as a common jumping-off point for distant Asian caravans. Arabs, Mesopotamians and Romans, wealthy Greeks and working Syrians; all called it home. It also had a sizable Jewish population.

Regular Hippodrome races sparked rabid fanaticism among the locals. It also famously boasted and hosted Adonis festivals, orgy-laden pleasure gardens, and the notorious oracle at the Fountain of Daphne.

It was in Antioch that the fledgling Church community was first called "Christian." Barnabas was sent as the Church’s first representative there, from Jerusalem after Pentecost (Acts 12:22). Anticipating trouble, he went to Tarsus and grabbed Saint Paul (Acts 12:25).

At the time, Luke was probably in Antioch, too. Other notable Christians include Herod Antipas, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, and Symeon called Niger, an African (Acts 13:1). The latter’s presence -- an African church leader in Asia, enabled by a European empire -- foreshadowed the future one, universal catholic faith.

Saint Paul and Barnabas likely spent time in the synagogue, listening to prophets, instructing potential and recent converts, performing baptisms, appointing elders and praying at meetings. The turning point: the arrival of the Holy Spirit. ‘Separate me, Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto we are called.’" (Acts 13:2)

Accompanied by Barnabas and John Mark, Saint Paul began his first missionary journey by traveling to the island of Cypress (Cyprus) then onward, eventually returning to Antioch (Acts 13:14).

Antioch was a crossroads; physically, the intersection of Phrygia and Galatia provinces, and culturally, too – in economics, military and religion. It was in Antioch that Saint Paul first preached to a Gentile crowd (Acts 13:16–41). Most previous evangelism was to Jewish communities. Many were moved. On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord (Acts 13:44). Antioch would soon become a major Christian center.

But on that day, the city’s Jews saw the crowds (and) were filled with jealousy, and with violent abuse contradicted Saint Paul. Both Saint Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly: It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.' The Gentiles were delighted, and glorified the word of the Lord. (Acts 13:45-48).

The Jews were angered and repulsed, and incited the women of prominence who were worshipers. The leading men of the city stirred up a persecution against Saint Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. (Acts 13:50)

Saint Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went on their way; venturing southeast –Lycaonia province - to the cities of Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.

Lycaonia province was separated from Saint Paul’s home province of Cilicia by the Taurus mountain range, which rambled to the south. The region was mostly sprawling grassy steppes; largely shepherds, and the robbers and industries that fed off them. Romans assigned rule to Antiochus, king of Commagene.

Iconium was one of the region’s most important cities. It lay on a major Roman road, in the area’s most fertile terrain. In Christian legend, Iconium was also the birthplace of Saint Thecla. The young virgin was influenced and converted by Saint Paul, in the apocyraphal "Acts of Paul and Thecla." Saint Paul and Barnabas stayed for a considerable period, speaking out boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the word about his grace by granting signs and wonders to occur through their hands, (Acts 14:3).

After another violent persecution – an attempt by both the Gentiles and the Jews (and) their leaders to attack and stone them -- Saint Paul and Barnabas left Iconium (Acts 14:6) for Lystra and Derbe.

There were no synagogues in Lystra, though the community had a Jewish population, as evidenced by its most famous natives: Timothy, and his mother and grandmother (2 Tim 1:5). It is believed that Saint Paul first preached without using Judaism (a thematic common ground) in Lystra and the surrounding region. Purportedly, he used instead harvest fest hymns, and simple psalms – especially those themed with shepherds and flocks.

After the duo healed a lifelong cripple in Lystra, the crowd desperately sought sacrifice to them – assuming they were Zeus, and his chief speaker Hermes. Even the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. Saint Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes, shouted that they were merely men, and emphatically urged them to turn to the Creator God instead. (Acts 14:8-18)

Jewish leaders from Antioch in Pisidia and Iconium, meanwhile, tailed the duo and stirred up a crowd in Lystra. The locals stoned the apostle, dragged him from the city and left him for dead (Acts 14:19). Despite this, a portion of the population converted. And when a group of believers and disciples gathered around the fallen saint, Saint Paul hopped to his feet and went back into town. On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

After preaching in Derbe, the duo retraced its steps through Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch and Perga. They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith. They also appointed presbyters and elders (Acts 14:21-23). From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch.

Saint Paul and Barnabas spent no little time in Antioch with disciples (Acts 14:28). They noticed a growing divide between the community’s Gentile and Jewish Christians. The city would soon become home to the young church’s first great controversy, when Gentile Christians refused to follow Jewish law (especially in re; circumcision).

As its local Church community grew, Antioch appointed its first bishop, Saint Evodius. Evodius, Ignatius (or Theophorus) and Saint Babylas (died 253) led the Antioch Church as bishops and patriarchs, and are generally regarded as the first leaders of the Asian Church.

As it grew and flourished yet further, Antioch became a Metropolitan Church, joining Rome and Alexandria. By the Third Century, it was the major metropolis in the surrounding region (which included Cilicia, Commagene, Osrhoene, Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, and Syria). Its importance and grandeur slowly waned, up until its capture in 611 a.d. by the Persian King Chosroes. It was later rebuilt by the Emperor Justinian II, and tossed back and forth during the crusades. Modern Antakieh has about 10,000 inhabitants, and the Gate of Paul still stands as testimony to one of its greatest residents.

Second Journey

Saint Paul and Barnabas left Antioch in late summer 49 a.d. to attend the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:2). The topics: circumcision, and Moses’ law within salvation. Saint Paul and Barnabas met with James, John and Peter (Galatians 2:2) then presented their case before the assembly; describing the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. (Acts 15:12). The apostles, elders and local church agreed that circumcision should not be a prerequisite for salvation.

Judas (Barsabas) and Silas traveled with Saint Paul and Barnabas to Antioch – to deliver James’ letter summarizing the decision (Acts 15:22-29). In Antioch, Saint Paul and Barnabas met John Mark, but disagreed about his role. Barnabas ultimately took him to Cyprus, while Saint Paul took Silas to Tarsus in late 49 a.d. (Acts 15:36-41).

From northern Syria, Saint Paul and Silas headed directly north, through his home province of Cilicia, up into the Taurus mountains. They cut west across Cappadocia province’s southern-most tip and entered Lycaonia province. In Lycaonia they stopped in Derbe, Lystra and Iconium.

Timothy

It was during this go-round in Lystra that Saint Paul became acquainted with Timothy (Acts 16:1). The latter was impressed with the apostle’s courage, dedication and faith – having witnessed the stoning and persecution during his first trip. Timothy converted, was circumcised, and joined the duo. He would later become Saint Paul’s frequent traveling companion and closest friend.

Saint Paul, Silas and Timothy left Lystra and stopped in Iconium. They crossed Lycaonia’s northwest border, covered Pisidia province’s northernmost region, and entered Phrygia province. Northeast, across Phrygia’s border was Galatia province.

Galatia

Galatia was a central highland region, named for immigrant Celts and Gauls who invaded in the 2nd and 3rd centuries b.c. The town of Ancyra was home to a major textile industry, and had a sizable Jewish community, with a temple. Local church communities appointed deacons and elders. Saint Paul was briefly detained in Ancyra by sickness (Galatians 4:13-14).

The trio then cruised west; thru northern Phrygia and central Mysia provinces, arriving at the northeastern port city of Troas (Acts 16:7-8). In Troas, Saint Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia asking for help. They set sail immediately (Acts 16:8-11). On the way back from Macedonia, Saint Paul landed in Ephesus (Acts 18:19); halfway up the coast of modern Turkey.

Ephesus

Ephesus was capital of the Roman Province of Asia (which covered western Asia Minor). It was the second largest city in the Roman empire, and the world. It had more than 250,000 in the 1st century b.c., and an estimated 400,000-500,000 inhabitants by 100 a.d.

Ephesus was home to the Asiarchs, or Chiefs of Asia and had a full legal system and senate (Acts 19:39). Every proconsul going to Asia landed there. Many freelance astrologers, exorcists, fortune tellers, magicians and sorcerers plied their trade. The famed Temple of Artemis – one of the seven wonders of the ancient world -- was in Ephesus. The goddess Diana had her chief shrine there. The city was also home to the Library of Celsus, several major bath complexes, and one of the ancient world’s most advanced aqueduct systems. It had a giant theatre capable of holding 25,000 spectators. The open-air venue was used for drama initially, and later for Roman gladiator combats.

The city had many Jews from Julius Caesar’s time onward, and a sizable church community. Notable church figures of the time include Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:2-3; Romans 16:3-4) and Apollonius or Apollos; the Jew of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker and master scripture scholar (Acts 18:24).

Saint Paul’s stay in Ephesus was brief. He promised ‘I shall come back to you again, God willing.’ Then he set sail from Ephesus (Acts 18:20-21). He landed at Caesaerea, near Jerusalem.

Third Journey

Saint Paul’s Third Missionary journey retraced much of his former routes. From the major metropolis of Antioch in Syria, he ranged back to his hometown of Tarsus. He ventured north thru Cappadocia, west thru Galatia, southwest across Phyrgia and thru Central Lydia. Along the way he strengthened faith communities (Acts 18:23).

He returned to Ephesus as promised (Acts 19:1-20:1) and spent more than two years there. He studied, preached and taught; at times, house to house. He did so carefully, concealing outright anti-heathen rhetoric, which was deadly. He converted many, though, including influential Asiarchs and government officials.

Saint Paul next sailed from Ephesus to Corinth, Greece and Macedonia, before backtracking all the way to Troas.

In Troas, Saint Paul met Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, from Beroea; Timothy; and Trophimus and Tychicus from Asia (Acts. 20:4). The group spent a week together.

On one occasion, Saint Paul’s longwindedness almost killed a man in Asia. The group gathered to break bread, and the saint spoke and spoke and spoke. He "kept on speaking until midnight…and a young man named Eutychus who was sitting on the window sill was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. Once overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and when he was picked up, he was dead (Acts 20:7-9). After checking on the boy, the group broke bread and talked till dawn. After Saint Paul left, the group took the boy away alive, and were immeasurably comforted" (Acts 20:12).

The groups rendezvoused in nearby Assos, then sailed off in a hurry. Saint Paul was anxious to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost. They blew right past Ephesus; landing instead in Miletus (Acts 20:14-17). In Miletus, Saint Paul called upon the elders and presbyters of Ephesus’ church. Expecting the worst in Jerusalem, he bade them all farewell (Acts 20:18-38).

The expedition sailed from Miletus (Acts 21:1) eventually arriving Caesaera. In Caesaera, they stayed at the house of Philip the Evangelist (Acts 21:8). Saint Paul said his farewells and departed for Jerusalem (Acts 21:15) where he would be arrested, and taken to Rome.

- il fine –

Saint Helena (246/50-327/30)

and Constantine the Great (272-337)

Saint Helena came from a humble background in Greece; on the very eastern edges of the Roman Empire. Her tremendous beauty drew the affections of a fast-climbing Roman official, and the son she bore would become arguably the most important individual in early Christian Eurasia.

In the spirit of Mary, she spent her life admiring her son’s potential, encouraging his growth and development, and directing him toward the right and good.

And when her young son, as Caesar, marched into war beneath a cross of light - emblazoned across the sky, with the words: in this sign, you will conquer writ large - his future, too, was similarly writ. Constantine would win the battle, win the war and march to and thru Rome as Emperor.

His mother, meanwhile, became a devout and fervent believer. She immediately converted to Christianity, and thereafter, lived her life for the poor, hungry, downtrodden and destitute of the empire; performing endless humble charity.

When Constantine finally united the empire’s east and west halves (the last emperor to do so) she toured Palestine, walked in Jesus’ steps, and recovered Holy Relics like an amateur archaeologist; legendarily: Christ’s true cross, crucifixion nails, rope, and tunic - among others.

She also built churches in the Holy Land, in Rome, and across her son’s empire.

Constantine was the last great ruler of Rome, and the first to openly declare himself Christian. He established an important precedent - the beneficent Christian ruler, responsible to God – that still exists today. Some argue he was an archetype for the pope.

As the earliest Christian monarch, he faced threats to the Church both external and internal. Externally, he ended several violent persecutions and passed multiple edicts guaranteeing freedom of worship. Internally, he helped sort heresy and conflict, called the first universal Church council to Asia (and also got Saint Nicholas out of prison).

Throughout his reign, he supported the young Church; moving it from the shadows of the underground to social legitimacy; transitioning from a private sect to a public church. It was a vital turning point, sometimes referred to as the Triumph of the Church, the Peace of the Church or the Constantinian Shift.

The culminating move of his rule was also a shift. After uniting the Empire, Constantine abandoned Rome’s corruption for Byzantium, on the shores of the Bosphorus; gazing at Asia across the canal.

Saint Helena and Constantine shared a long history in the region. She was born there and he was educated there.

Constantine also fought many battles on Asian countryside, as both a young and old man. His greatest military victory was there (over Licinius). He called the first Christian crusade from Asia; an expedition into the heart of Persia - to protect persecuted Christians. He died before it began.

And it was the Byzantine Empire he helped found which carried the cross on. Christendom flourished many centuries in Constantine’s design; even becoming the state religion for a time. The empire remained united, as one kingdom, well into the 15th century. It is history’s longest continuous culture, west of China.

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Saint Helena was born about the middle of the third century in Bithyia, Roman province of Asia (modern northwest Turkey). Her hometown of Drepanum, on the Nicomedian Gulf, would later be known as Helenopolis in her honor.

She was born between 248-250 a.d., of humble parents and low social standing. Saint Ambrose knew her as a stabularia, or inn keeper. Likely, she manned her father’s inn.

Because of the great glory later amassed by her husband and son in England, Medieval British chroniclers proudly claimed her - as a descendant of royalty even - and have depicted her with flowing golden hair.

And she was beautiful. Amazingly so. A fast-rising Roman general - Flavius Constantius - noticed, and fell madly in love with her. He was at the time an officer, and part of Emperor Aurelian’s imperial bodyguard.

They had one son. Flavius Valerius Constantinus was born in the city of Naissus (Upper Moesia’s Dardania province) between 271-74. History has set the date as February 27. Today, Naissus would be in Nis, Serbia.

Constantius was very skilled politically. He was made governor of Dalmatia (by Emperor Diocletian) in 284-85. Tempted by power, he divorced Saint Helena several years later and married a woman named Theodora; step-daughter of his commanding officer and patron. The maneuver was politically deft. Constantius was made Caesar (junior emperor) and co-Regent of the West around 292-93. He was then dispatched to Gaul (France) to fight rebels.

Because of distrust and frequent assassination attempts, Diocletian kept Saint Helena and Constantine as ransom, in his court in Nicomedia. Saint Helena retired to humble obscurity; doted on by her loyal son.

Constantine, meanwhile, went to school. He received a formal education from prominent scholars and philosophers at Diocletian's court. He learned Greek, Latin, and literature in an open, fluid climate, rich in diversity; pagans and Christians, intellectuals, merchants and warriors.

Constantine grew to be a prominent member of the court’s inner circle. He joined campaigns against barbarians in Europe, and against Persians in Mesopotamia and Syria (296-99). He was soon made a tribune of the first order, atribunus ordinis primi.

In the spring of 303, he returned to Nicomedia (from Asia) just in time to witness Diocletian's Great Persecution (303-311) - the most widespread oppression, slaughter, and sacrifice of Christians in Roman history. It was spurred on by a message from Apollo’s Didyma oracle, and resulted in an official high court declaration of universal persecution.

Because Christians refused to participate in the Imperial cult, they were charged with treason; punishable by execution. Thousands were killed. Many more were arrested, burned, mutilated, starved, tortured and thrown into gladiator contests.

All Christians were demoted from official positions. Priests were imprisoned. Nicomedia's new church was quickly destroyed; its scriptures burned and treasures seized. Nearby churches and libraries suffered similarly. Buildings and homes were razed, and bank accounts seized. Sacred art and books were collected and burned.

When Diocletian finally resigned, his successor, Galerius, legendarily