The first Christian church on European soil

Paul was traveling in the countryside through Asia Minor (today’s Turkey) and came to the coast to Troas. “During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.'” (Acts 16:9; NIV)

Paul sails from Troas across the Aegean Sea to the coast of Macedonia (now Greece). About 10 miles from there lies the city of Philippi. There Paul establishes the first Christian community in Europe. This congregation remained very loyal to Paul and supported him in good times and in bad.