Seven Churches of Asia.

(1) Ephesos, founded by St. Paul, 57, in a ruinous state in the time of Justinian.

(2) Smyrna, still an important seaport. Polycarp was its first bishop.

(3) Perʹgamos, renowned for its library.

(4) Thyatiʹra, now called Ak-hissar (the White Castle).

(5) Sardis, now a small village called Sart.

(6) Philadelphʹia, now called Allah Shehr (City of God), a miserable town.

(7) Laodiceʹa, now a deserted place called Eski-hissar (the Old Castle).

⁂ It is strange that all these churches, planted by the apostles themselves, are now Mahometan. Read what Gamaliel said, Acts v. 38, 39

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.