The Corinth Canal, connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf, was a dream dating back to ancient times. The tyrant Periander first proposed it in the 7th century BCE, but it was considered too ambitious. Instead, a paved road called the Diolkos was built to transport ships overland. Several rulers, including Julius Caesar and Nero, attempted the project, but it wasn’t until 1881 that construction finally began under Greek and French engineers. Completed in 1893, the canal stretches 6.4 kilometers and cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth. Though too narrow for modern large ships, it remains a vital passage for smaller vessels and a major tourist attraction. The canal symbolizes Greek persistence and engineering ambition spanning millennia.

The Apostle Paul is believed to have visited the ancient port of Kechries, near Corinth, during his missionary journeys in the 1st century AD. Kechries served as the eastern port of ancient Corinth, linking the city to the Saronic Gulf and facilitating trade and travel. Paul’s arrival here marked a key moment in spreading Christianity to Greece, as he used Corinth as a base to preach and establish early Christian communities. The port, though less famous than Corinth’s western Lechaion harbor, was vital for commerce and travel in antiquity. Today, the ruins of Kechries offer insight into ancient maritime life and the routes Paul and early Christians traveled. This connection between Apostle Paul and Kechries highlights the blend of faith, history, and daily life in the ancient Greek world, marking the port as a significant site in Christian heritage.

The Apostle Paul had a profound influence on ancient Corinth during his stay around 50-52 AD. Arriving in this bustling, multicultural city, Paul preached the message of Christianity, establishing one of the earliest and most important Christian communities. His teachings emphasized faith, unity, and moral living, addressing the diverse social challenges Corinth faced, including divisions, immorality, and religious conflicts. Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, preserved in the New Testament, provide deep insight into the struggles and growth of this fledgling church. His guidance helped shape Christian doctrine and community life, encouraging believers to live in love and harmony despite differences. The legacy of Paul’s mission in Corinth laid the foundation for Christianity’s spread throughout Greece and the wider Roman world, making Corinth a pivotal center for early Christian thought and practice. Visit the church of Apostle Paul with the Magnificent Mosaic for his life.