Photographs from Philippi, Greece

Setting for the story “Weaving a Church,” featuring Lydia and St. Paul

Theater at Philippi, Greece.

The Via Egnatia, the ancient Roman road which provided the main thoroughfare from the Adriatic, through Philippi, Greece, on to Macedonia and the Balkans. It was used by Roman officials, soldiers and merchants, like Lydia, as well as the road upon which St. Paul would have traveled from Asia minor. Under Austave's rule, poor urban

Romans and veterans traveled this road in order to settle on land granted to them in Philippi.

Rutted, chariot wheel tracks survive the Via Egnatia to this day. The ancient road bisects the site of Philippi into northern and southern sections as it did in Lydia and St. Paul's time

A view of an early Christian settlement c. 350 in Phillipi looking toward the anceint Roman forum. The columns are remains of an ancient stoa, or marketplace, where Lydia would have sold her cloth. The red and yellow stone structure beyond is a fifth or sixth century basilica.

A view of the Roman forum in Philippi from the path leading to the Roman theater on the acropolis which lies north of Via Egnatia.

A Roman bath at Philippi.