{"id":6,"date":"2020-04-16T14:33:44","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T14:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/startersites.io\/blocksy\/travel\/?page_id=6"},"modified":"2025-11-03T08:25:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T06:25:15","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/afr\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"6\" class=\"elementor elementor-6\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c3d95c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7c3d95c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;slideshow&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_gallery&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:2554,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/ao-encounters.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Carousal-Image_2-2.jpg&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:2559,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/ao-encounters.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Image-18.jpg&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:2556,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/ao-encounters.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Carousal-Image_3-1.jpg&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:2557,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/ao-encounters.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Image-15-1.jpg&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:2560,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/ao-encounters.co.za\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Pergamon-Image.jpg&quot;}],&quot;background_slideshow_lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_ken_burns&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_transition_duration&quot;:2300,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_duration&quot;:3000,&quot;background_slideshow_loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_ken_burns_zoom_direction&quot;:&quot;in&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-013c3b8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"013c3b8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-822f1fb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"822f1fb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6a1ab0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b6a1ab0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1978971 elementor-tablet-position-block-start elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"1978971\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plane-departure\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M624 448H16c-8.84 0-16 7.16-16 16v32c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h608c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16v-32c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16zM80.55 341.27c6.28 6.84 15.1 10.72 24.33 10.71l130.54-.18a65.62 65.62 0 0 0 29.64-7.12l290.96-147.65c26.74-13.57 50.71-32.94 67.02-58.31 18.31-28.48 20.3-49.09 13.07-63.65-7.21-14.57-24.74-25.27-58.25-27.45-29.85-1.94-59.54 5.92-86.28 19.48l-98.51 49.99-218.7-82.06a17.799 17.799 0 0 0-18-1.11L90.62 67.29c-10.67 5.41-13.25 19.65-5.17 28.53l156.22 98.1-103.21 52.38-72.35-36.47a17.804 17.804 0 0 0-16.07.02L9.91 230.22c-10.44 5.3-13.19 19.12-5.57 28.08l76.21 82.97z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDiscover Turkey - the other Holy Land\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0eb3ed e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b0eb3ed\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4338db4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4338db4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e371430 elementor-align-right elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e371430\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/turkey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cbd722 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9cbd722\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c974bd elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9c974bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/tours\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Our tours <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0aea0bd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0aea0bd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce598b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce598b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<style>\n  .acts-verse {\n    font-size: 16px;\n    line-height: 1.6;\n    color: #ffffff;\n  }\n\n  .acts-verse .ref {\n    font-weight: 600;\n    display: block;\n    margin-bottom: 4px;\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 768px) {\n    .acts-verse {\n      font-size: 15px;\n      line-height: 1.8;\n    }\n    .acts-verse .ref {\n      font-size: 16px;\n      font-weight: 700;\n    }\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"acts-verse\">\n  <span class=\"ref\">Acts 11:25\u201326<\/span>\n  Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch.\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8efcfcf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8efcfcf\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b30b0a7\" data-id=\"b30b0a7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94de899 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94de899\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>DID YOU KNOW&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe1cb78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fe1cb78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">this about Antioch?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d740bc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d740bc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol><li>The term &#8220;Christian&#8221; was first used to describe the followers of Jesus in the ancient city of Antioch, located in what is now modern-day Turkey.<\/li><li>According to the New Testament book of Acts (Acts 11:26), it was in Antioch that the disciples were &#8220;first called Christians&#8221;.<\/li><li>This designation marked a significant development in the identity of the early Church, distinguishing believers in Christ from other Jewish groups.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c2ab3e text-expander elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"7c2ab3e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1300\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1300\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Read <span class=\"read-more\">More<\/span><span class=\"read-less\">Less<\/span> <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M34.9 289.5l-22.2-22.2c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L207 39c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l194.3 194.3c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L413 289.4c-9.5 9.5-25 9.3-34.3-.4L264 168.6V456c0 13.3-10.7 24-24 24h-32c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24V168.6L69.2 289.1c-9.3 9.8-24.8 10-34.3.4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M190.5 66.9l22.2-22.2c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0L441 239c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L246.6 467.3c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.2-22.2c-9.5-9.5-9.3-25 .4-34.3L311.4 296H24c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24v-32c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h287.4L190.9 101.2c-9.8-9.3-10-24.8-.4-34.3z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1300\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65b416b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"65b416b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d15168 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d15168\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Why Antioch?<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>After the martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, many believers fled persecution in Jerusalem and spread out to various regions, including Antioch in Syria.<\/li><li>Antioch was a large, cosmopolitan city with a significant Jewish population as well as many Gentiles (non-Jews), making it fertile ground for the spread of Christianity beyond its Jewish roots.<\/li><li>The early Christian community in Antioch included both Jews and Gentiles, and it was here that the gospel was actively preached to Gentiles, marking a key moment in the expansion of the Christian faith.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Key Figures and Events<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Barnabas, sent from the Jerusalem church to Antioch, was impressed by the Gentile conversions and brought Saul (Paul) from Tarsus to Antioch to help teach the new believers.<\/li><li>Paul and Barnabas taught in Antioch for about a year, strengthening the church and encouraging its growth.<\/li><li>The name &#8220;Christian&#8221; likely originated as a term used by outsiders to describe the followers of Christ in Antioch, reflecting their distinct identity.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>Antioch became a major center for early Christianity and missionary activity, serving as the launching point for Paul&#8217;s missionary journeys.<\/li><li>The church at Antioch is often seen as the first truly mixed community of Jewish and Gentile believers, symbolizing the universal nature of the Christian message.<\/li><li>In summary, the followers of Jesus were first called &#8220;Christians&#8221; in Antioch around A.D. 40, a city that played a pivotal role in the early spread of Christianity and the formation of its identity as a distinct faith separate from Judaism.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Where is Antioch situated in modern day Turkey?<\/strong><\/p><p>Antioch, known in modern times as Antakya, is situated in the Hatay Province of south-central Turkey. It lies in a fertile valley on the Orontes River, near the Mediterranean coast, approximately 12 miles (19 kilometers) northwest of the Syrian border. The ancient city of Antioch was founded in 300 BC by Seleucus I Nicator and became a major center of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and early Christian history. The modern city of Antakya now stands partly on the site of this ancient city.<\/p><p><strong>Coordinates of Antioch\/Antakya:<\/strong><\/p><p>Latitude: 36\u00b012\u203217\u2033N (approximately 36.2\u00b0N)<\/p><p>Longitude: 36\u00b010\u203254\u2033E (approximately 36.18\u00b0E)<\/p><p>Antakya is the administrative capital of the Province of Hatay, which is the southernmost region of Turkey, and it has a rich historical legacy related to Christianity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ed5184 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3ed5184\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3738d4 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget 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aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 5\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-15.jpg\" alt=\"Image-15\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 5\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-11-2.jpg\" alt=\"Image-11\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 5\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-13-2.jpg\" alt=\"Image-13\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 5\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-12-2.jpg\" alt=\"image-12\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 of 5\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Image-14-2.jpg\" alt=\"Image-14\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36457bc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"36457bc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-533767d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"533767d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Biblical Turkey<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3c8c6f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f3c8c6f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58f2ee2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"58f2ee2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ccb88c9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ccb88c9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18cafa6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"18cafa6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>Turkey &#8211; the other Holy Land<\/strong><\/h4><p>Ancient Turkey (Anatolia \/ Asia Minor) was not only a cradle of early Christianity, hosting foundational churches, councils, and apostolic missions that shaped Christian doctrine and practice. It was also home to a number of key biblical sites reaching back to the days of Noah. Hence its reputation as \u201cthe other Holy Land\u201d. Despite the decline of Christianity in the region over centuries, Turkey\u2019s rich Christian heritage endures through its archaeological sites, historic churches, and ongoing religious significance for multiple faiths. This makes Turkey a unique and vital land for understanding early Christianity and its historical development.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0def607 text-expander elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"0def607\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1460\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1460\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Read <span class=\"read-more\">More<\/span><span class=\"read-less\">Less<\/span> <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M34.9 289.5l-22.2-22.2c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9L207 39c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l194.3 194.3c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L413 289.4c-9.5 9.5-25 9.3-34.3-.4L264 168.6V456c0 13.3-10.7 24-24 24h-32c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24V168.6L69.2 289.1c-9.3 9.8-24.8 10-34.3.4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-arrow-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M190.5 66.9l22.2-22.2c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0L441 239c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L246.6 467.3c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0l-22.2-22.2c-9.5-9.5-9.3-25 .4-34.3L311.4 296H24c-13.3 0-24-10.7-24-24v-32c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h287.4L190.9 101.2c-9.8-9.3-10-24.8-.4-34.3z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1460\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88b4174 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"88b4174\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4696a5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4696a5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key Historical and Religious Highlights<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5812d12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5812d12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Centers of Early Christianity and the Pentarchy:<\/strong> Two of the five ancient patriarchates of the Pentarchy-the highest-ranking episcopal sees of early Christianity-were located in what is now Turkey: Constantinople (modern Istanbul) and Antioch (modern Antakya). Antioch is historically significant as the place where followers of Jesus were first called &#8220;Christians&#8221; and where Saint Peter established one of the earliest churches, carved into a cave.<\/li><li><strong>The Seven Churches of Asia:<\/strong> These are seven early Christian communities mentioned in the Book of Revelation, all located in western Turkey. They include Ephesus, Smyrna (Izmir), Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each church received a specific message in the biblical text, reflecting their spiritual strengths and weaknesses. Ephesus, for example, was a major Roman city where Apostle John lived and where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last days in a house that remains a pilgrimage site today.<\/li><li><strong>Apostolic Activity:<\/strong> Apostles Paul, Peter, and John are closely linked with Asia Minor. Paul preached in cities such as Perge, Derbe, Lystra, Psidian Antioch, Ephesus, and Konya. John is believed to have lived in Ephesus with the Virgin Mary and died there after his exile on Patmos. Peter settled in Antioch and established the first church there. Philip, another apostle, was martyred in Hierapolis.<\/li><li><strong>Ecumenical Councils:<\/strong> The first seven Ecumenical Councils, foundational to Christian doctrine and recognized by both Eastern Orthodox and Western churches, were held in present-day Turkey. The First Council of Nicaea (325 AD), which produced the Nicene Creed, took place in \u0130znik (Nicaea).<\/li><li><strong>Christian Sites and Heritage:<\/strong> Turkey hosts numerous ancient Christian sites:<ul><li><u>Hagia Sophia<\/u> in Istanbul, once the largest church in the world for over a millennium and a symbol of Byzantine Christianity.<\/li><li><u>The House of the Virgin Mary<\/u> near Ephesus, a revered pilgrimage site for Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Muslims.<\/li><li><u>The Cave of the Seven Sleepers<\/u> in Ephesus, linked to a legend shared by Christian and Muslim traditions.<\/li><li><u>Cappadocia<\/u> region, known for its extensive early Christian monastic communities carved into rock formations, with many churches and frescoes.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Historical Context:<\/strong> Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 AD under Emperor Theodosius I. Despite this, the region experienced fluctuations in Christian dominance, especially during the Byzantine era and later the Ottoman period. The Ottoman conquest led to a gradual decline of Christianity as Islam became dominant, though Christian minorities such as Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox, and various Catholic communities persisted.<\/li><li><strong>Old Testament Background:<\/strong> The country is also home to biblical sites such as Ur of the Chaldeans and Mount Ararat, traditionally believed to be the resting place of Noah\u2019s Ark. It was also home to several ancient peoples mentioned in the Old Testament, most notably the Hittites mentioned in Genesis, Joshua, Numbers, and 2 Kings. Two of the four rivers mentioned in the Creation account\u2014the Euphrates and Tigris\u2014originate in eastern Turkey. The city of Harran, located in southeastern Turkey, is where Abraham received his call to greatness. This marks Turkey as a starting point for one of the most important figures in biblical history, linking the land to the patriarchal narratives of the Old Testament.<\/li><li><strong>Current Christian Presence<\/strong>: Today, Christians are a minority in Turkey, with an estimated 120,000 Christians among a population of about 73 million. The country remains officially secular, with constitutional guarantees for religious freedom, though the role of Islam in society remains a subject of debate.<\/li><\/ul><p>Turkey offers you the opportunity to engage in a spiritual journey of faith, reflection, and connection with sacred history. The landscape, ancient ruins, and holy sites create an immersive environment for prayer, learning, and renewal. Modern-day Turkey\u00a0 is a secular state and disposes of a well-developed tourism infrastructure, making it accessible and welcoming to Christian visitors and pilgrims.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-370ab3f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"370ab3f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c189d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"0c189d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=t9dQEV4Gneo&quot;,&quot;lazy_load&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb00d7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb00d7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">With permission from Dr. Andrew Jackson<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f54e205 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f54e205\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d3f877 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4d3f877\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ec2524 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9ec2524\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Places to visit<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fd6219 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1fd6219\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Journey through time: Top Biblical Travel sites in Turkey<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-378f156 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"378f156\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=FILtHqZ144U&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36488c3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"36488c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a30ad3 elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9a30ad3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/turkey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn more about Turkey<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44c0447 e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"44c0447\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7a895a middle-image elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f7a895a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Blue-Mosque-4-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2776\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Blue-Mosque-4-1.jpg 550w, https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Blue-Mosque-4-1-183x300.jpg 183w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ab200e elementor-absolute drifting-text elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8ab200e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_position&quot;:&quot;absolute&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sultan Ahmed Mosque<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-278099c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"278099c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76d2921 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"76d2921\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a historic architectural masterpiece in Istanbul, Turkey, famed for its stunning blue \u0130znik tiles and six towering minarets. Built in the early 17th century, it remains an active place of worship and a popular attraction for visitors from around the world. The Blue Mosque is situated in Istanbul, Turkey, in the historic Sultanahmet district, directly across from the Hagia Sophia.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6727ad elementor-absolute e-transform e-transform elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b6727ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_position&quot;:&quot;absolute&quot;,&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:-9,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateX_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:-254,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateY_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:-20,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;deg&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;deg&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateX_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateX_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateY_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateY_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"756\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-4-756x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4056\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-4-756x1024.jpg 756w, https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-4-221x300.jpg 221w, https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-4-768x1040.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-4-9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-4.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 756px) 100vw, 756px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-432bd20 elementor-absolute e-transform e-transform elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"432bd20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_position&quot;:&quot;absolute&quot;,&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:9,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateX_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:254,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateY_effect&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:-20,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;deg&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_rotateZ_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;deg&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateX_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateX_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateY_effect_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;_transform_translateY_effect_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"756\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-2-1-756x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4054\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-2-1-756x1024.jpg 756w, https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-2-1-221x300.jpg 221w, https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-2-1-768x1040.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-2-1-9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Blue-Mosque-2-1.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 756px) 100vw, 756px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2533266 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2533266\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c921e8b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c921e8b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-864a28b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"864a28b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a75c0c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a75c0c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bf0ac2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1bf0ac2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace, located on the European shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, was built in the 19th century as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. It blends traditional Ottoman architecture with European styles such as Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical. The palace is renowned for its opulent interiors, including the world\u2019s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier and lavishly decorated halls.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75a8072 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"75a8072\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43646db animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"43646db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInRight&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:500,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image swiper-lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/Dolmabahce-Palace-40-2-r7lkuk0pe34nrgycdqi87lt1rzlydoyk4d9v4isx6k.jpg\" alt=\"Dolmabahce Palace 40\" \/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image swiper-lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/Dolmabahce-Palace-45-r7ljl88vtp2vwesl255vz1kuj30r750j80qy060d8c.jpg\" alt=\"Dolmabahce Palace 45\" \/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image swiper-lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/Dolmabahce-Palace-44-r7ljkd87k5wf9a1n39r76remxd9n54le3r7x61acxo.jpg\" alt=\"Dolmabahce Palace 44\" \/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img class=\"swiper-slide-image swiper-lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/Dolmabahce-Palace-41-1-r7ljjfe0q4m3nbeskv4mozy1jhwfg0v1z3qfw2oj5o.jpg\" alt=\"Dolmabahce Palace 41\" \/><div class=\"swiper-lazy-preloader\"><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-003acd4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"003acd4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a96036 e-con-full animated-slow e-flex elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7a96036\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;,&quot;animation_delay&quot;:500}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52c2a4f elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"52c2a4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;dots&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Image_20.png\" alt=\"Image_20\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Image_21.png\" alt=\"Image_21\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Image_22.png\" alt=\"Image_22\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Image_23.png\" alt=\"Image_23\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75f1281 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"75f1281\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b703e67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b703e67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Obelisk of Theodosius<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d48bc25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d48bc25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Obelisk of Theodosius is an ancient Egyptian monument located in Istanbul&#8217;s Hippodrome, originally erected in Luxor around 1450 BC. It was transported to Constantinople by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I in the 4th century AD. Carved from pink granite and covered in hieroglyphics, the obelisk stands as a symbol of imperial power and historical continuity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b306fcb elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"b306fcb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/ao-encounters.co.za\/turkey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn more about Turkey<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04ea7e4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"04ea7e4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"news-from-turkey\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbf0d55 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bbf0d55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">News about Turkey<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af46e2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"af46e2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af9857b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"af9857b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b62bb1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1b62bb1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02ee328 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"02ee328\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Today's news<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e8271b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5e8271b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Jailed Kurdish PKK leader says armed struggle with Turkey is over, calls for members to disarm<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90286a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"90286a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/fVg3AO6EipA?si=9AV8sPDgBVTfMPnz&amp;utm_source=ZTQxO&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce19013 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ce19013\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-696d155 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"696d155\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-327dd72 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"327dd72\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e89602 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4e89602\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Jun 5, 2025<br><br>\nAs Entire Middle East Shifts, Kurdish Rebels End 4 Decades of War with Turkey<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ec1e06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"4ec1e06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/BDVhisCRkIs?si=bKWit0RJXiBo0GiS&quot;,&quot;lazy_load&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" 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