Those who are familiar with my previous writings and documentary work will know how fascinated I am with Paul’s visits to the Greek islands, especially Kos. On my previous visits to the Island of Hippocrates I repeatedly travelled to an area known as Zipari. 

For those who do not know, Zipari is a modern town along the highway of Kos, yet back in the 1st century it would have been quite remote. 

Today Zipari is about 8.3 – 11 kilometres from the general area of Kos town, which is without question the definitive location of Acts 21: 1. Kos town harbour is the exact place where Paul and Luke landed. 

Yet at Zipari the 5th century remains of St Paul’s basilica can be seen. Here Italian archaeologists have found ancient mosaics. 

For some reason previously unknown to me I have been very intrigued by this place and have been unable to let it pass. The sign reads like so: 

“St Paul the Apostle 

visited this place during his 

third missionary journey”

This exact sign can also be scene in St Paul’s Bay, Lindos. Both Rhodes and Kos are present in Acts 21: 1. Likewise both signs quote the same Scripture, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3: 28) 

But what is it about Zipari that intrigues me so? The answer is I think it possible St Paul may have visited here? as I think he visited Lindos. 

Revisiting Kos once again was a new experience for me. With many things behind and a new path in front of me I wanted to explore the area from another perspective so I followed that instinct and an old wall. This gave me a lot of insight and I’m now on a journey to discover more. Where this will lead I do not know?

My aim has been to explore Acts 21: 1 from an imaginative perspective and discover more about the meaning of that verse. Making my way through the ancient sections of Kos harbour, the agora and the Western Archaeological site, I am gaining a more vivid picture of Luke’s narrative and the pieces of my puzzle are falling into place. 

In my fist documentary on Kos I explored the island from the perspective of St Luke. This led me to the ancient Asklepion of Kos, yet in my previous documentary I explored the island from the perspective of St Paul and this took me on a very different voyage. 

This is reflective in the closing words of that film: 

“Back to the harbour, I found myself contemplating what exactly happened when Paul and Luke visited this island. But I suspect I may never truly know this side of eternity.” 

It was at the location of those scenes where I began this new era of my voyage. I am content to follow on as the Lord leads. It seems my voyage to Kos may not be over after all.