_(cropped)[1]-small.jpg "Hagia Irene - Celebrate the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025")
Celebrate the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025
June 12-21, 2025
We encourage you to bring your own groups to Nicaea and Istanbul in the spring of 2025 to celebrate the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025. You can set up your own dates and program or, you can join the below program on June 12-23, 2025.
Key Dates in 325
1. May 20 Council opens
2. June 14 Constantine arrives
3. June 19 Nicene Creed adopted
4. August 25 Council adjourns
Leaders
June 12 Thu Arrive Istanbul Airport
Meet with “NICAEA 1700 – TUTKU” sign. Transfer to hotel in Istanbul for dinner and overnight. (D)
June 13 Fri Istanbul Tour of Constantinople (modern İstanbul)
Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Hagia Eirene, archaeology museum, Basilica Cistern, Fener Orthodox Patriarchate (by appointment).
Dinner and overnight at the Moevenpick Golden Horn Hotel. (B,D)
June 14 Sat Drive to Nicaea (modern İznik)
Visit Hagia Sophia Church; Constantine’s palace, Roman theater, city walls and gates, archaeology museum, original city street, funerary obelisk (Beştaş).
Dinner and overnight at Hilton Garden Inn Yalova. (B,D)
June 15 Sun Nicaea - Lectures by professors on 1st and 7th councils.
Afternoon visit to the Underwater Basilica area with local archaeologists.
Dinner and overnight at Hilton Garden Inn Yalova. (B,D)
June 16 Mon Nicomedia - Istanbul
Drive to Nicomedia (modern İzmit): visit the archaeology museum, Diocletian’s palace, Roman theater, city walls PM drive to Chalcedon (modern Kadikoy) to see the excavations at Haydarpaşa, and St. Euphemia Church (by appointment)
Dinner and overnight at the Moevenpick Golden Horn Hotel. (B,D)
June 17 Tue Istanbul - Lectures by professors on 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th councils.
Afternoon private Bosporus boat tour seeing both Asian and European shores of Istanbul.
Dinner and overnight at the Moevenpick Golden Horn Hotel. (B,D)
June 18 Wed Istanbul - Morning Lectures by professors on 3rd council
Forum and Column of Constantine, Church of Sergius and Bacchus, Pammakaristos Church (Fatih Mosque), Theodosian walls and Golden Gate.
Dinner and overnight at the Moevenpick Golden Horn Hotel. (B,D)
June 19 Thu Morning flight to Cappadocia
Meet and transfer to Ihlara valley to see the painted churches, visit Guzelyurt, and Caesarea (Kayeri).
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Cappadocia. (B,D)
June 20 Fri Cappadocia - Closing
Early morning Optional Hot Air Balloon Trip in Cappadocia
Visit Goreme rock painted churches, Underground City of Kaymakli, monastic Zelve Valley.
Shopping opportunity before dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Cappadocia. (B,D)
June 21 Sat Morning flight to Istanbul - END
Including
- Istanbul-Kayseri-Istanbul roundtrip domestic flights
- 2 Nights at Movenpick Golden Horn Hotel in Istanbul
- 2 Nights at Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Yalova
- 3 Nights at Movenpick Golden Horn Hotel in Istanbul
- 2 Nights at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cappadocia
- Daily breakfast at the hotels (all open buffet)
- 9 Dinners at the hotels
- Sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Transportation by private A/C Deluxe Bus with driver throughout the tour
- Bible Oriented, Government-Licensed English speaking professional tour guide throughout the tour
- All Entry fees to the sites & museums
- Service charges & local taxes
Excluding
- Roundtrip international air between USA – Istanbul –USA
- Lunches and all drinks
- Tips to driver and guide (Suggested tipping; $5 per person per day for the guide and $2 for the driver)
- Turkish Visa Fee to be paid online before arrival www.evisa.gov.tr
- Optional Hot Air Balloon Trip in Cappadocia
