St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

The Rev. Roy Tripp of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal, SC, invites parishioners, their friends, and other interested sojourners from neighboring parishes and the Diocese to join him for an educational and spiritual journey to Rome.  Our program helps us meet the first generation of Christians by bringing to life the people, events, and context of earliest Christianity in the Roman capital.  Rome preserves the greatest collection of early Christian sites and artifacts, including house churches, catacombs, frescos, and sarcophagi, that helps us understand the emerging faith.  Archaeological work over the last couple of centuries has also brought back to life the monuments of ancient Rome, helping us compare and contrast the Gospel with the religious world view of the Romans.  We will have a chance to see how Christianity shaped Rome and how Rome shaped Christianity and watch traditions and art and architecture evolve over the centuries.  We will gain a better understanding of the context of the Reformation as well.  Of course, we will enjoy the wonderful food, culture and way of life of the Romans as we explore this enchanting city. 

Program Itinerary

Monday, November 9, 2020

Depart Savannah for Rome. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Theme:  The Historical and Artistic Palette of Rome

Arrival Rome.  Your tour manager will meet you at the airport and accompany you on private motorcoach to your hotel in Rome.  Adjust to the time change, freshen up, unpack, then in late afternoon, do a walking orientation to sites in central Rome - the Pantheon (where we will talk about religious architecture and one of the first attempts to create sacred space), Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (site of Galileo’s trial, Michelangelo’s nude “Resurrected Christ), Piazza Navona, San Luigi dei Francesi (Caravaggio’s paintings of Matthew cycle), and other sites.  We will enjoy a nice welcome dinner this evening at a local restaurant.  Overnight Rome.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Theme:  The Roman Context of Early Christianity

Breakfast.  Guided visit to the Roman Forum, Colosseum and the Basilica of San Clemente (this has 3 layers – a 1^st/2^nd century layer, including a Mithraic temple and adjacent building where Christians met, a 4^th/5^th century layer – the first parish church built there, and a 12^th century layer with some of the most beautiful mosaics in Rome). We will have an opportunity for prayer at the Basilica.  We will compare and contrast the traditions and beliefs of ancient Romans with early Christians.  A lunch break will be included in the neighborhood.  Overnight Rome.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Theme:  The Witness of Peter and Roman Catholic Views on Papacy

Breakfast.  Guided visit to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Scavi (the excavations of a Roman cemetery under the basilica – with Peter’s tomb.) Afternoon/Evening at leisure to enjoy Rome and visit other sites recommended by the tour manager.  We will gather for a pizza dinner this evening.  Overnight Rome.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Theme:  The Witness of Paul

Breakfast.  Guided visit to St. Paul Outside the Walls, a massive place that was built in the 4^th century and burned in the late 1800s.  It was rebuilt according to the original plan so it is now ...building.  Continue with a visit to nearby catacombs to see some of the restored early frescos.  We will include an opportunity for prayer for the group in the catacombs.  There will be a cooking class and visit to a local vineyard for a wine tasting outside of Rome. Later afternoon/evening free to enjoy sites such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, or other popular sites.  Overnight Rome.

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Theme:  Artistic Expressions of Faith and Ideology

Breakfast.  Guided visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.  We will focus on ancient Roman and Renaissance Christian art.  Afternoon at leisure.  Some may want to remain in the museum to see other parts; others may want to explore/shop.  Evening at leisure.  Overnight Rome.

Sunday, November 15, 2020

Theme:  Celebrating Our Heritage

Breakfast.  Eucharist at St. Paul’s Within the Walls.  Go to St. Peter’s Square for the noon blessing with the Pope.  The afternoon will include a walking tour either of culinary shops or local artisans.  We will end the day with a nice farewell dinner at a local restaurant.  Overnight Rome.

Monday, November 16, 2020

Theme:  We Return Home as Pilgrims Renewed

Breakfast. Transfer to airport for return flight to USA.

Inclusive Features:

Roundtrip flights between Savannah and Rome, 6-nights accommodations in centrally located 4-star hotels, breakfast daily, one lunch with limited beverages, 3 dinners at local restaurants with beverages, 1 cooking class/wine tasting, local transportation via deluxe motorcoach, a full-time local tour manager and guide, and entrances and guided visits per the itinerary

Complete Program Prices:
(with airfare and airport transfers)

$4350 per person based on double occupancy
$560 supplement for single occupancy

Land Only Program Prices:
(without airfare or airport transfers)

$3550 per person based on double occupancy
$560 supplement for single occupancy

Please note: Single rooms for single use are limited to 10% of the total number of rooms reserved. Should additional single rooms be requested, hotels may impose a higher supplement for all single rooms. If you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement.

All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card, you will be charged the standard base price, which is 5% higher.

All program prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect January 23, 2020—and on 2020 land and air tariffs—and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume’s Conditions and Clauses.

The program prices will be reviewed before the invoices for the final payment are mailed, and will reflect the current prices.

Program Registration:

With questions, please contact:

The Rev. Roy Tripp
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
1110A Paris Ave.
PO Box 761
Port Royal, SC  29935
stmarkscrector@gmail.com
843-379-1020
 

Complete the Event Registration Form online (link below) and submit your $800 deposit check to Rev. Tripp by February 29, 2020. Checks should be made payable to illume.

EVENT REGISTRATION FORM

After February 29, you will receive a Welcome e-mail and a link to add Travel Insurance/Protection to your program if desired.

A second non-refundable deposit of $1800 per person due not later than: May 1, 2020

Balance of payment due not later than: August 11, 2020

Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that affect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly.

Registrations will be accepted after February 29 on a space-available basis. Additional costs may apply. Contact illume for pricing and availability after February 29.

Program No. 20.10531