Philippi

Philippi is prominently featured in the Bible's New Testament book of Acts, chapter 16. In fact, Philippi, which was an important city within Macedonia, may be the site of Europe's first converts to Christianity.

Philippi was founded by Philip II, who was the father of Alexander the Great. During New Testament times, which was during the first century of this era, Paul and Silas traveled to Philippi to evangelize. Here, they met Lydia, a successful business woman who was Jewish.

She listened to Paul as he evangelized to her and she became a Christian. Later, her whole household converted to Christianity.

Paul and Silas were arrested and imprisoned in Philippi, during Paul's second mission journey, which took place somewhere around the year 50 A.D. While they were imprisoned, an earthquake struck the town of Philippi, wrecking the prison. Paul and Silas had a chance to escape but they chose to stay behind and comfort the jailer.

The jailer later converts to Christianity.

Paul and Silas eventually are released from their imprisonment. The jailer's family converts to Christianity.

Philippi was later heavily damaged by an earthquake in about 619 A.D., about 1400 years ago. The city never recovered from the destruction and began to decline in population and in importance after that earthquake.

Next: Philistia

Go to: List of places in the Bible