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Philippi
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Philippi

Philippi

Lydia and the singing prisoners · Greece

Philippi was a Roman colony on the main road across Macedonia. Outside the gate, by the river, Paul met a group of women at prayer; Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, believed and was baptised, the first known Christian in Europe. Later Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison, yet they sang hymns at midnight until an earthquake opened the doors. Today you can walk through the forum, the theatre and the early Christian basilicas of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

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A modern open-air baptistery by the river marks where Lydia is said to have been baptised.

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An inspiring story

Singing at midnight

What do you do at the worst moment of your life?

Paul and Silas had been beaten with rods and locked in the inner cell, their feet in the stocks. At midnight they were not complaining. They were praying and singing hymns, and the other prisoners were listening. Then an earthquake threw open every door. The jailer, sure that everyone had escaped, drew his sword to kill himself. 'Don't harm yourself! We are all here!' Why didn't they run? Because they cared more about the man who guarded them than about their own freedom. That same night the jailer washed their wounds, and he and his whole family were baptised.

The song in the dark and the choice to stay changed a whole household. Your hardest night can be someone else's turning point.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.Acts 16:25

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