The Seven Churches of Revelation
Vahiy'in Yedi Kilisesi
Revelation 2-3 contain letters to seven congregations of the Roman province of Asia — all of them in today's Turkey. This route pairs each letter with its city and a page on this site.
1. Efes Meryem Kilisesi (Church of Mary)
Early ChristianitySelçuk, İzmir, Türkiye · Rev 2:1-7
The letter praises the congregation's toil and endurance, but says they have abandoned their first love; the call is to remember and repent. The stop is the Church of Mary in Ephesus, a large basilica where the Council of 431 met.
Photo: Matthias Holländer · Public domain
Open the page → · All churches in Selçuk
2. Smyrna Antik Kenti (Smyrna)
Early Christianityİzmir, İzmir, Türkiye · Rev 2:8-11
To a congregation in persecution and poverty — "but you are rich" — the letter calls for faithfulness unto death. The stop is ancient Smyrna, at the heart of today's İzmir.
Photo: Georges Jansoone JoJan · Public domain
Open the page → · All churches in İzmir
3. Pergamon Antik Kenti (Pergamon)
Early ChristianityBergama, İzmir, Türkiye · Rev 2:12-17
Written to the congregation in the city "where Satan's throne is"; the faithful witness Antipas is remembered. The stop is Pergamon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site above modern Bergama.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0
Open the page → · All churches in Bergama
4. Thyatira Antik Kenti (Thiatira)
Early ChristianityAkhisar, Manisa, Türkiye · Rev 2:18-29
The letter praises love, faith, service and patient endurance, but rebukes tolerance of false teaching. The stop is Thyatira, whose remains lie in today's Akhisar.
Photo: Pragdon · CC0
Open the page → · All churches in Akhisar
5. Sardis Antik Kenti (Sart)
Early ChristianitySalihli, Manisa, Türkiye · Rev 3:1-6
"You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead" — the letter calls the congregation to wake up. The stop is Sardis, the archaeological site at Sart near Salihli.
Photo: Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany · CC BY-SA 2.0
Open the page → · All churches in Salihli
6. Filadelfya Antik Kenti (Philadelphia)
Early ChristianityAlaşehir, Manisa, Türkiye · Rev 3:7-13
To a congregation with "little power" that has kept the word, the letter promises an open door and to be kept from the trial. The stop is Philadelphia, today's Alaşehir.
Photo: Wolfymoza / simonjenkins · CC BY-SA 2.0
Open the page → · All churches in Alaşehir
7. Laodikeia Antik Kenti (Laodicea on the Lycus)
Early ChristianityDenizli, Denizli, Türkiye · Rev 3:14-22
"Neither cold nor hot" — the famous warning to the lukewarm congregation of Laodicea. The stop is Laodikeia, the extensive archaeological site near Denizli.
Photo: A.Savin · Free Art License (FAL)
Open the page → · All churches in Denizli