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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission ( NCPC), Yakubu Pam, has said that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has necessitated a change from Israel and Jordan to Biblical sites in Rome and Greece for pilgrimage.
Pam told journalists, in Abuja, that the safety and security of Nigerian citizens has always been priority of the NCPC. He explained that Christian pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan scheduled for December 2023 was suspended solely due to security concerns.
According to him, the pilgrimage would now be to Rome and holy sites in Greece by the end of January. He added that the new pilgrimage sites will include places where Apostle Paul, otherwise known as Saint Paul passionately spreadthe teachings of Jesus Christ, converting polytheists and idol worshippers.
Pam said : ” I have led NCPC teams to inspect holy sites across Greece and Rome, we have discussed extensively with government and local authorities and security, accommodation and good hospitality is assured as the very first batch of Nigerian Christian pilgrims visit these places to connect physically with New Testament locations of the gospel and do spiritual exercises including meditation and prayers for our dear nation.
“Also, arrangements for smooth flight, good meals and local transportation have been concluded for the 2023/2024 main pilgrimage; state governments, states’ offices of Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, churches and individuals have been formally informed about the modalities and the N3 million cost that only requires some augmentation of payment previously made for the Israel/Jordan trip.
“Unknown to many, Apostle Paul, Peter, and the early Christians are why we have Christian sites in Rome; it was from there and Greece Paul, Peter, and the early Christians are why we have Christian sites in Rome and also in Greece from where they founded several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe from the mid-40s to the mid-50s AD, beginning the spread of Christianity across the world.
“St. Paul is often considered to be the most important person after Jesus in the history of Christianity, his epistles (letters) have had enormous influence on Christian theology. He wrote the epistle to Ephesians in a prison in Rome and his journey through Greece included stops at Samothrace and Kavala (Neapoli), where he initiated Christian churches and fostered relationships and he later visited Philippi, Thessaloniki, Veria, Athens, and Korinthos (Corinth), spreading the word of God and facing both acceptance and opposition in these cities. “
