Video Transcript: Cappadocia

The unique landscape of Cappadocia has become one of the star attractions of  Turkey. Cappadocia is a geological oddity of honeycombed hills, and towering  boulders of amazing beauty. The peaks of three volcanoes. Erciyes, Hasan, and Melendez mountains dominate Cappadocia. It was their eruptions which  covered the former plateau of Urgup in ash and mud that provided the region's  raw material tuff, which is formed by compressed volcanic ash. Erosion has  worked on this soft stone ever since, to form the valleys and curious fairy  chimney rock formations for which the region is so famous. The fantastical  topography is matched by the human history here. People have long utilized the  region soft stone, seeking shelter underground, and leaving the countryside  scattered with fascinating cavern architecture. Here many Christians found  refuge during the early days of Christianity. Some of the Christians to whom the  apostle Peter wrote his letters lived in Cappadocia, the apostle Paul traveled  widely throughout this region. By the fourth century, Christians fleeing Rome's  persecution, had arrived in some numbers, and established monastic  communities here. Come with me on a journey to one of the most important  early centers of Christianity, a sanctuary, a refuge in the rock shelters from the  Romans, and later from Muslim Raiders. The quest for answers, looking for the  first followers of Christ in Turkey begins right now. The name Cappadocia is now commonly used in the tourism industry to refer to the area that extends roughly  from Kayseri west to actually covering an area of about 5000 square kilometers  in the center of present day Turkey. The boundaries of the region have varied  throughout history. Cappadocia is a landscape like no other you've ever seen  before in your lifetime. It includes dramatic expanses of soft, volcanic rock,  shaped by erosion into towers, cones, valleys and caves. Rock cut churches  and underground tunnel complexes from the Byzantine and Islamic areas era  are scattered throughout the countryside. There are buildings in this rocky  region of Central Turkey that go down to five stories underground, and date  back to Roman times. Entire underground cities exist here, including churches  and cathedrals. Most of the rock houses in Cappadocia that are still inhabited,  however, are above ground dwellings that have been chiseled out of the strange rock chimneys that this area is known for. Some have even been turned into  guest houses for those who want to know what it feels like to live here. The best  way to take it all in from above. Cappadocia is known around the world as one  of the best places to fly in hot air balloons. The spectacular surrealistic  landscapes combined with the excellent flying conditions allow the balloons to  gently drift over and between fairy chimneys pigeon hewn into the unique rock  formations, orchards and vineyards through impressive valleys, each with  distinctive rock formations, colors and features, and then to float up over ripple  ravines for breathtaking views over the region. Cappadocia balloon tours begin  every day at sunrise. As the day is dawning balloons are inflating. When the  inflation is finished, you're welcomed into the balloon. Then it's Up up and away. 

balloon flight begins. You go wherever the wind takes you. The sky is layered  with air currents so the pilot heats the air inside the balloon with the burner to  rise into currents with different directions. There's a marvelous view of  Cappadocia from above, you cannot miss the opportunity for pictures even a  selfie. Your flight time is approximately one hour, you will land in one of the  many open fields in the area, the experience of a lifetime during the hot air  balloon flight, a beautiful sight grasps your attention, a unique perspective of  Goreme National Park and the rock sights of Cappadocia seen from above,  since 1985 Cappadocia's Goreme National Park and the rock sites of  Cappadocia hold the status of a World Heritage Site of the United Nations  Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. At the highest point of Goreme National Park, and the rock sites of Cappadocia lies a tall volcanic rock outcrop  known as Uchisar castle. The rocky Wonderland has a network of human  created caves, living quarters, places of worship, stables and store houses were all dug into the soft stone. Uchisar Castle is the summit where Cappadocia  mingles with the clouds. It is the tallest fairy chimney and can be seen from any  spot in the region. Goreme National Park and the rock sites of Cappadocia have been extensively used and modified by men for centuries, is a landscape of  harmony, combined with human interaction and settlements with dramatic  natural landforms. There has been some earthquake damage to some of the  cones and the pillars. But this scene is a naturally occurring phenomenon.  overused by tourists, and some vandalism have been reported and some  incompatible structures have been introduced. This area was inhabited as early  as the Hittites era, circa 1800 to 1200 BC. Even today, you can find Hittite style  pottery in Avanos, our town near the word Heritage Site. Because of its central  location, Goreme sits uncomfortably on the boundary between rivals empires.  First the Greeks and Persians and later the Byzantine Greeks and a host of  rivals. This precarious political position meant the residents needed hiding  places and found them by tunneling into the rock itself. Due to seclusion and  remoteness of the valley, as well as geology that allows for hidden underground  dwellings. It has served as a place of refuge throughout centuries of battles and  political unrest. Over time, individual villages banded together to resist invading  forces and seek refuge in underground communities, which developed in some  areas into large subterranean cities. It's known that there are more than 100  Underground settlements in the region, and many of them are not open to  visitors. The first inhabitants of the Cappadocia area have opened deep cavities  within the volcanic rocks to escape from the attacks of the wild animals and hard winter conditions. Later, the underground cities were the hiding place of the first  Christians who escaped from the persecution of the Roman soldiers. They were  enlarged to enable when necessary, an entire city to live and every kind of  fixture necessary for the living conditions of the people have also been attached. Even when there wasn't any danger the people living on the ground have hidden

in the underground cities fearful of danger. For this reason, all the homes at the  time were connected to the underground cities with a tunnel. And all of the  underground cities there are ventilation chimneys reaching place by place to a  depth of 80 meters down to the underground waters. These chimneys were  opened to meet the need of both ventilation and water. Within the cities that are  temperate in winters and cool in summers. There are kitchens cribs, wind  houses, depots for cereals, meeting saloons, toilets, and every kind of living  space necessary. Within all the cities there are locking stones which can only be opened and closed from the inside, protecting against the threats which may  come from the outside. Also know as Derinkuyu. Derinkuyu the deepest  underground city has about 600 doors, connecting the courtyards of surface  dwellings to its tunnels and staircases. It is 11 levels according to the National  Geographic descending about 85 meters within an area of a little over 10.4  kilometre squared. It is the large enough to have sheltered as many as 20,000  people together with their livestock and food stores. Connected with Derinkuyu  underground city through kilometers of tunnels. Kaymaki is the widest  underground city in Cappadocia and is partially open to visitors. The Kaymaki  underground city has low narrow and sloping passages. While the underground  city consists of eight floors below ground in which the spaces are organized  around ventilation shafts, only four of them are open to the public today, around  100 tunnels connecting ancient homes, cellars, stables, kitchens and storage  areas spanning eight underground floors. Here the early Christians seeking  sanctuary from the Romans and later still, Muslim Raiders found refuge in the  rock shelters and began to connect the chimney formations with subterranean  villages. When invaders did arrive, Christians are believed to have slipped down through the holes in the ground and remained there until the danger passed.  Within the layers of structures, both above and below ground. They had  constructed churches, store houses, homes and passageways. When the  Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which mandated  toleration of Christians in the Roman Empire, it put an end to the Roman  persecution of the Christians. Cappadocia, which had been a hiding place for  Christians became an important center for Christianity with a large concentration of Christians. Cappadocia became a center of Bible study, and was famous for  the fourth century theologians it produced. Basil later Caesarea, Gregory of  Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa. In the Middle Ages, the importance of this  area again soared, and many monasteries, churches, and chapels were dug out of the rock. The best of these still have vivid Byzantine frescoes of religious  scenes. For instance, the Goreme open air museum resembles a vast monastic  complex composed of scores of Refectory monasteries placed side by side,  each with its own fantastic church. It contains the finest of rock cut churches  with beautiful frescoes wall paintings whose colors still retain all their original  freshness. It also presents unique examples of rock hewn architecture, and 

fresco technique. The area covered by this open air museum forms a coherent  geographical entity and represents historical unity. There are 11 cafeterias within the museum, with rock cut tables and benches. Each is associated with a  particular church. Most of the churches in the Goreme open air museum belong  to the 10th 11th and 12th centuries. Churches include St. Basil's church, Apple  church, and the richly decorated Buckle Church, which is the oldest and lies just  outside the gates of the museum. The best preserved frescoes are in the dark  church, which has been restored after being used as a pigeon house until the  1950s. Cappadocia with its beauty and history is a reminder of the Christian  persecution. Christianity endured 300 years of hostility, early Christians expect  to suffering Christ had died on the cross. Therefore, his followers would not  expect something different than the martyrdom witnessed by one's blood. The  apostle Peter, writing to Christians who lived in Cappadocia, and other areas  where they had dispersed from Jerusalem, wrote the following words of  encouragement. Beloved, do not think it's strange concerning the fiery trial,  which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice  to the extent that you partake of Christ's suffering, that when his glory is  revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy, if you are reproached for the  name of Christ, blessed are you for the spirit of glory and God rest upon you.  Yet, if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify  God in this matter. persecution of Christians is a frequent theme in the New  Testament. It is predicted in the gospels, it is a recurrent theme in Acts and the  letters of Paul. It appears to be part of the occasion of the writing of Hebrews  and I Peter, in the book of Revelation, persecution is a topic that is referred to  with certain frequency. According to much of the New Testament, persecution is  a test of faith that reveals the world's true relationship with the Christ movement. The New Testament teaches the following about persecution, the persecution of  Christ followers is inevitable. Enduring persecution was a testimony to a  person's faith and the truth of the gospel. Persecuted Christ followers were not  to retaliate against their persecutors and finally, God will punish persecutors  according to Revelation, the ultimate instigator of persecution is the devil.  Despite the Gospels downplaying of Roman involvement in Jesus death.  Revelation holds Rome symbolizes Babylon, responsible for the death of many  Christ's followers. Persecution did not begin with the Roman authorities. The  New Testament writings tell of the strife between Jews and Christians, the latter  challenging to Jews by claiming to be the new Israel in the early chapters of  Acts, is different in James the brother of John the disciple became victims of the  Jerusalem mob, and of King Herod Agrippa respectively. Indeed, the writing of  Luke In Acts appears to go out of his way to reassure the Roman authorization  of loyalty and general value of the Christians and the hostility of the Jews toward them. The persecutors in their motives changed in AD 64. On July 19, that year,  a great fire engulfed much of Rome, only four of the 14 quarters of the city 

escaped damage. Suspicion immediately fell on the Emperor Nero, was this a  mad cap way of clearing part of the city to make room for new, magnificent  streets and buildings in his honor. Nero, however, managed to deflect blame  first, apparently on the Jews, who had a reputation for large scale arson, but  also has friends at court. And then on to the Christians. Many Christians,  perhaps including Peter, were seized, tortured, and eventually martyred in the  arena. From Nero's killing of Christians in Rome in AD 64, until 250 persecutions of Christians was mainly local, including the persecution of Hadrian and Marcus  Aurelius. The correspondence between Pliny the Younger and the Roman  Emperor Trajan shows that although Christianity was illegal, the law was not  routinely enforced. After 250 the persecutions were Empire wide with the  objective of ridding the domain of all Christians. Included were the persecutions  under Decius, Galus, Valerian and the extended persecution begun by  Diocletian, in 303. The accession of Constantine to a share of the throne in 306,  marked the beginning of a new experience of toleration, and even power for  Christians in the Roman world. inflamed rumors perhaps based on the early  Christians observance of the Eucharist and love feasts, accused believers of  cannibalism and incest. One of the leading charges against Christians in the  empire was that they were atheists, that is, they did not worship the pagan  deities and so did not participate in the social and civic activities that involve  homage to them. Persecution often grew out of animosity by the populace,  rather than from deliberate government policy. Christians were falsely accused  of the most dreadful crimes and declared to be the cause of great calamities,  famine, pestilence and earthquakes. As they became the objects of popular  hatred and suspicion, informers stood ready for the sake of gain to betray the  innocent. They were condemned as rebels against the Empire as foes of religion and pests to society. Great numbers were thrown to wild beasts to be burned  alive in the amphitheaters some were crucified and others were covered with the skins of wild animals and thrust into the arena to be torn by dogs. Their  punishment was often made the chief entertainment at public events, vast  multitudes assembled to enjoy the sight and greet their dying agonies with  laughter, and applause. Many Christians lapsed under the threat of persecution.  The numbers of those who fell away produced a crisis for the church in the  250s. Eventually the question of whether to readmit the lapsed produced several schisms. The church allowed flight in order to escape persecution and warned  against rushing into voluntary martyrdom. The high regard for the martyrs as the heroes of the church, and the privileges assigned to them led to the cult of the  saints. Under the fiercest persecution, these witnesses for Jesus kept their faith  unsullied, though deprived of every comfort shut away from the light of the sun,  making their home in the dark but friendly bosom of the earth. They uttered no  complaint with words of faith, patience and hope. They encourage one another  to endure privation and distress. The loss of every earthly blessing could not 

force them to renounce their belief in Christ. Trials and persecution were but  steps, bringing them nearer to their rest and their reward. The early Christians  were indeed a peculiar people. Their blameless deportment and their  unswerving faith were a continual reproof that disturb the sinners peace. Though few in numbers without wealth, position or honorary titles, they were a terror to  evildoers wherever their character and doctrines were known. Therefore they  were hated by the wicked, even as Abel was hated by his ungodly brother Cain.  For the same reason that Cain slew Abel did those who sought to throw off the  restraint of the Holy Spirit put to death God's people. It was for the same reason  that the Jews rejected and crucified the Savior, because the purity and holiness  of his character was a constant rebuke to their selfishness and corruption. From  the days of Christ until now, his faithful disciples have incited the hatred and  opposition of those who love and follow the ways of sin. Martyrdom is a regular  ongoing feature of church life in the 25% of global Christianity that we call the  underground church, as claimed by the late David Barrett of the world  evangelization Research Center. In one part of the globe, over 10,000 Christians have been killed every year since 1950. Due to clashes with anti Christian  mobs, infuriated relatives, state organized death squads, and so on. Maybe you  watching this program right now, are facing retaliation because of your love for  Christ. Maybe your life has not been endangered, but your job, your emotional  health, your family are facing harassment because of your devotion to the man  of Nazareth. Please don't give up. Hang in there. Jesus in His Sermon on the  Mount said, Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all  kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad,  for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who  were before you, as the martyrs, the heroes of faith who have gone before you,  rested in the promise, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to  be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. You can rest in this promise also, the martyrs didn't renounce their faith, they kept going under pressure and  fire, having their eyes upon Christ and the heavenly country that he is preparing  for those who love him and are waiting for his coming. Friend, Jesus is so close  he is here right now with you and soon will be with you forever in the New Earth. So hang on in our blessed hope. (Song) Imagine a world without pain where  little ones won't get hurt place and to check God will bring us to heal calm I know I can do this Imagine a world where peace right where there are no tears and  affliction death no longer where darkness will soon? Our Father and our God we thank you for that precious promises that you give us. Lord, you are faithful.  You've promised that you would be there for us always through the good times  through the hard times. We especially pray today for those who may be  experiencing persecution, perhaps in their family with respect to their job or in  their social circle. Father, I pray that you would give them courage. Help them to  stand for you though the heavens fall. And we pray that you would keep all of us

faithful to you. Until that glad day we will see you face to face. Father, we  commit our lives to you afresh this day. Thank you for hearing us and for loving  us in such a way that you will never give up on us. It's in Jesus name we pray.  Amen. Dear friend, thank you so much for watching us today. Don't forget to  share with your friends and relatives the quest for answers looking for the first  followers of Christ. And third, please visit our website. On our website. You can  leave us a message, your prayer request and order a copy of today's show for  the complete series. If you feel moved to support our ministry, you can make  your donation on our website as well. I hope to see soon.