Samothrace is mentioned only once in the accounts of Paul's journeys, as they are recorded in Acts. After receiving the 'Macedonian Call' in Alexandria Troas, Paul and his team set sail for Europe (Acts 16:6-10). They will eventually make landfall in Neaoplis, the nearest port to Philippi, but their route first takes them past Samothrace (Acts 16:11).
The text makes no explicit mention of Paul setting foot on Samothrace, although "the next day we went on" (Acts 16:11, NIV) could be read to imply a stopover. Whether they simply sheltered off-shore or spent the night in port, or on land, is not clear. Whatever the nature of their overnight stay, it was probably less than twenty four hours.
We were able to visit Samothrace in June 2019 as part of a trip covering off the last of Pauline sites, in Greece, that I had not until then been able to visit. The story of that journey is told here, including this day ferry side trip to Samothrace.
However briefly Paul and his companions visited Samothrace, local tradition insists that he preached there. While nothing of this is reflected in the biblical narrative, it does fit with the biblical portrait of Paul as one who would take every opportunity to preach the gospel! A memorial constructed in honour of Paul's visit is one of the most elaborate I have seen. The mosaic panels make the local tradition very clear: Paul received the Macedonian call; came ashore in Samothrace to preach the gospel; and was then sent on his way to Neapolis.
This significant memorial to St Paul was erected in 2008. The other signature site of the island, The Sanctuary of the Great Gods, dates from at least the fourth century BC. The mystery cult associated with this site was of 'worldwide' fame and persisted down to the first century AD. The site is a fascinating addition to any visit to Samothrace for purposes of following Paul. The museum associated with the site was closed when we visited.
Click here for a Google Earth view of Samothrace. The view is set to show the Paul Memorial (Στασίδι Αποστόλου Παύλου ) and The Sanctuary of the Great Gods (inland from Paleopoli).
The structure is set well back from the road, and hidden by heavey vegetation. There was no signage at the roadside gate and without having the coordinates, we would not have found it.
There is space for parking adjacent to the coastal road. From there a rough walking track leads past the museum to the ticket booth at the entrance to the site. There was a good map available, and good signage around the complex, to help make sense of the extensive site.
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