From Paganism to Christianity:

The Temples and Empires of the

New Testament World

Celebrity Infinity 12-Night Mediterranean Cruise

October 22 – November 6, 2027

led by dr. jonathan moore

Sail with Seeing His World through the great cities and landscapes that shaped the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys and the expansion of Christianity. Experience Athens, Rome, Malta, Rhodes, Crete, Sicily, Herculaneum, Santorini, Barcelona, and more, exploring the pagan temples, imperial centers, and cultural crossroads where the Christian faith first took root.

Educational Program Description

This Seeing His World Seminar explores the pagan religious, cultural, and political world into which Christianity was born. Set against the backdrop of the ancient Mediterranean, the seminar examines the temples, gods, philosophies, and imperial systems that dominated the Greco-Roman world and shaped the historical setting of the New Testament. Far from emerging in a spiritual vacuum, Christianity confronted a world saturated with polytheism, emperor worship, mystery cults, and monumental religious architecture.

Through focused teaching and historical analysis, participants will explore how the gospel message interacted with, challenged, and ultimately transformed this pagan environment. Archaeological evidence—temples, inscriptions, civic spaces, altars, and urban remains—is brought into dialogue with the biblical text to illuminate the lived reality of the first Christians and the world in which the apostles preached. Particular attention is given to major centers of pagan worship and imperial power, including Athens, Rhodes, Ephesus, Crete, Malta, Sicily, and Rome.

This seminar aims to deepen confidence in the historical reliability of the New Testament by grounding Scripture firmly within its real-world context. By examining the archaeological and cultural setting of the first century, participants gain a clearer understanding of how Christianity moved from a persecuted minority faith to a transformative force that reshaped the ancient world—revealing not only the contrast between paganism and Christianity, but the power of the gospel to change history.

Pre-Cruise Experience (Optional)

Athens & Corinth Immersion | October 23–25

$800 per person (OPTIONAL)

Begin your journey where the New Testament world was intellectually and culturally forged.

This immersive pre-cruise experience includes two hotel nights with breakfast, two full days of guided touring, and transportation to the cruise ship on October 25. In Athens, walk through the philosophical heart of the Greco-Roman world—exploring the Acropolis, Mars Hill (Areopagus), and surrounding ancient sites where Paul proclaimed the “unknown God” (Acts 17). In Corinth, stand before the Bema, where Paul was tried, visit the Temple of Apollo, and trace the geography behind Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. Every stop is framed biblically, historically, and archaeologically to set the stage for the journey ahead. Guided by Dr. Jonathan Moore and local guide.

Excursion Package & Seminar Instruction

Rhodes — Lindos & St. Paul’s Bay

Guided by Dr. Jonathan Moore

Explore the island of Rhodes, a strategic crossroads of the ancient Mediterranean. Visit Lindos, crowned by its ancient acropolis overlooking the Aegean Sea, followed by time at St. Paul’s Bay, traditionally associated with the Apostle Paul’s stop during his missionary travels (Acts 21). This excursion highlights the spread of early Christianity through the Greek islands and the maritime routes that carried the Gospel outward from Jerusalem.

Crete — Aptera, Chania & Kissamos

Guided by Dr. Jonathan Moore and local guide

A full-day journey through western Crete, illuminating the world behind Paul’s letter to Titus.

  • Aptera reveals Crete’s military and political importance during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

  • Chania reflects Crete’s layered history under Greek, Roman, and later powers.

  • Kissamos (ancient Polyrrhenia/Kastelli Kissamos) was an active Roman city during the time of the Apostle Paul, and today houses a museum containing some of the finest Roman mosaics in the Mediterranean, offering a vivid window into first-century Roman life in the very era of early Christianity.

Malta — St. Paul’s Bay & St. Paul’s Grotto

Guided by Dr. Jonathan Moore

Step directly into the dramatic narrative of Acts 27–28. Visit St. Paul’s Bay, the traditional site of Paul’s shipwreck, and St. Paul’s Grotto, associated with his three-month ministry on the island. This excursion powerfully illustrates God’s providence, the spread of the Gospel beyond Judea, and the historical reliability of Luke’s account in Acts.

Sicily — Messina to Taormina

Guided by Dr. Jonathan Moore

Travel from Messina to the stunning hill town of Taormina, overlooking the Ionian Sea. Visit the ancient Greek Theater, with sweeping views of Mount Etna, and explore the historic center. Sicily’s position between East and West made it a vital bridge between Greek, Roman, and early Christian worlds, helping frame the broader context of Paul’s Mediterranean mission.

Southern Italy — Salerno, Herculaneum & Paestum

Guided by Dr. Jonathan Moore and local guide

A deeply archaeological day exploring the classical world that shaped early Christianity.

  • Herculaneum (Ercolano) offers one of the most remarkably preserved Roman cities in existence, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

  • Paestum showcases some of the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere in the world, illustrating the pagan religious landscape into which Christianity emerged.

Round-trip transportation from Salerno with expert historical interpretation throughout.

Rome — The Heart of the Empire

Guided by Dr. Jonathan Moore and local guide

Walk through the very center of Imperial power where Christianity would ultimately confront and transform the Roman world.

This guided excursion includes the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Appian Way, Trevi Fountain, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Trace the path of persecution, martyrdom, and eventual triumph of the early Church, with special attention to Paul’s imprisonment and witness in Rome.

Ports at Leisure (No Organized Tours)

  • Mykonos

  • Santorini

  • Barcelona

Enjoy these iconic destinations independently.

 

itinerary

  • Friday, October 22

    Depart the United States

  • Saturday, October 23 (Hotel Night)

    Arrive in Greece

    Transportation to hotel on your own

  • Sunday, October 24 (Hotel Night)

    Corinth – Full-day guided tour

  • Monday, October 25

    Athens – Full-day city tour

    Afternoon transportation to the cruise ship

  • Monday, October 25

    Athens (Piraeus), Greece

    Cruise departs at 5:00 PM

  • Tuesday, October 26

    At Sea

    (No tours)

  • Wednesday, October 27

    Mykonos, Greece | 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

    (No tours: Optional Group activity TBA)

  • Thursday, October 28

    Rhodes, Greece | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

    Transportation provided to Lindos

  • Friday, October 29

    Santorini, Greece | 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

    (No tours)

  • Saturday, October 30

    Crete (Chania), Greece | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    Guided tour including Aptera, Chania, and Kissamos

  • Sunday, October 31

    At Sea

  • Monday, November 1

    Valletta, Malta | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    Transportation provided to St. Paul’s Bay and St. Paul’s Grotto

  • Tuesday, November 2

    Messina, Sicily, Italy | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

    Transportation provided to Taormina

  • Wednesday, November 3

    Salerno, Italy | 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

    Guided tour with transportation to Paestum and the Amalfi Coast

  • Thursday, November 4

    Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy | 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

    Full-day guided tour with private transportation, including:

  • Colosseum

  • Roman Forum

  • Trevi Fountain

  • St. Peter’s Basilica

  • Appian Way

    No Vatican Museums tour included

  • Friday, November 5

    At Sea (No Tour)

  • Saturday, November 6

    Barcelona, Spain | 5:00 AM

    Disembarkation

    Tours on your own / Fly home

    Cruise Pricing (Per Person, Double Occupancy)

For the best available group pricing, please contact Adventure Therapy Travel, the official travel partner of Seeing His World. Adventure Therapy Travel will match or beat Celebrity Cruises’ lowest published price at the time of booking.

Choose from room categories on the Celebrity Infinity: Inside, Ocean View, Ocean View, Veranda, Veranda, Concierge Class Verandah, AquaClass Verandah, Suites

Deposit: $900 per Stateroom, for either double or single occupancy.

Call Susan today to secure your space aboard the beautiful Celebrity Infinity.

Susan Kennon, CTA

Adventure Therapy Travel

� Susan@adventuretherapytravel.com

� 606-407-3172

� www.adventuretherapytravel.com

*Cruise pricing does not include shore excursions. The Excursion Package and Seminar is priced separately at $1,300 per person and includes transportation, professional guides, and most site entrance fees.

*Cruise pricing also does NOT include international airfare, gratuities, amenity packages, internet access, or other onboard purchases.

*The excursion package offered above is significantly more affordable than comparable cruise-line excursions and is designed to provide a more personal and immersive experience. All excursions will be conducted privately with our own transportation and professional local guides (where indicated), allowing for greater flexibility and depth. Each experience is intentionally crafted to enhance understanding of the historical, archaeological, and cultural context of the Bible, offering an intimate setting that encourages meaningful learning beyond standard group tours.

* This journey is offered as a not-for-profit educational seminar hosted by Seeing His World, a division of Moore Discipleship Missions, a registered 501(c)(3) organization


Guided By

Dr. Jonathan Moore

Dr. Jonathan Moore is a part-time physician and former founder of Cumberland Foot & Ankle Centers of Kentucky. He holds master’s degrees in Education and Bible, as well as a Ph.D. in Old Testament. He serves as adjunct faculty in the Freed-Hardeman University School of Theology, where he teaches archaeology and biblical history.

Founder of Seeing His World, Moore has traveled extensively with his family throughout the biblical world, including Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, and the Mediterranean. Several times each year, he leads immersive Bible-land experiences designed to help Christians encounter Scripture within its geographical, historical, and archaeological settings.

Moore also established the Seeing His World Video project and is an active contributor to both medical and biblical publications, including Bible and Spade and Apologetics Press.

Jonathan and his wife, Kim, have three children- Gabrielle, Audrey, and Jonathan, and three grandchildren: Phoebe, Gally, and Phillip.