Berea

Biblical References

Acts 17:10-14

Paul and Silas aroused strong opposition from the Jewish leaders in Thessalonica and some of their converts were accused of political crimes before the city officials (Acts 17:5-9). The new believers sent them on their way south, where they were received more favourably at Berea. The narrative commends the Berean Jews for their more honourable approach, by testing this new message against Scripture. As a result many were saved.

Paul's time in Berea came to an end when his opponents in Thessalonica followed him south to stir up more trouble. Paul was obviously the focal point of the opposition, because Silas and Timothy were able to stay on in Berea while Paul headed further south, to Athens.

Other References

Acts 20:4 - Reference is made to Berea as the home town of "Sopater son of Pyrrhus" (NIV), a believer who accompanied Paul on the journey to Jerusalem.

Visiting the Site

My visits to the modern town of Veria have all been part of Salvation Army study tours. It is, of course, significant in terms of the Biblical narrative, but has also been a convenient stop on our journey between Kalambaka (Meteora) and Thessaloniki.

The site of the city has been occupied from circa 1000 BC, but I am not aware of any 1st C Roman remains. Our visit have always, and only, been to the memorial to St Paul in Mavromichali Street.

Click here for a Google Earth view of the monument's location.

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