From Kusadasi, we took the bus to Izmir, where Smyrna was at.
Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey.
We arrived at a Catholic church nested in the midst of Izmir's commercial area.
Santa Maria Catholic Church
We: recited the apostles creed; sang two songs about Jesus being Lord. The risen Lord; Remembered the suffering church in this part of the world (both historically e.g. Polycarp's martyrdom in Smyrna and now); Prayed for the suffering Christians in this part of the world (I teared up again thinking of their hardship and the fear they must live in/how much faith they must have had); Had Communion-a very meaningful time of receiving the body and blood of Christ and His filling of my inner being, experiencing the forgiveness of sins.
Passing by St Polycarp's church, a 1600 Catholic church built here.
Passing through more of Izmir.
Entering the Smyrna Agora, now hidden behind shops and housing areas.
Reading the second letter to the church in Smyrna.
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