Ancient Konya

on plateau in turkey

714 km (443.7 miles) is Distance Konya to Jerusalem
Konya, Historically ICONIUM --- The city lies at an elevation of about 3,370 feet (1,027 m)

Still another legend ascribes its ancient name to the
eikon (image),
or the gorgon's head, with which
Perseus vanquished the native population before founding the Greek city
 

Historically ICONIUM, city, central Turkey. The city lies at an elevation of about 3,370 feet (1,027 m) on the southwest edge of the central Anatolian Plateau and is surrounded by a narrow, fertile plain. It is backed by Bozkir Mountain on the west and enclosed by the interior edges of the central Taurus ranges further south. The southwestern part of the city has been redesigned, and a wide avenue leads through the western suburbs to the railway station, but the old city still survives to the east of the acropolis.

Konya is one of the oldest urban centres in the world; excavations in Alâeddin Hill in the middle of the city indicate settlement dating from at least the 3rd millennium BC. According to a Phrygian legend of the great flood, Konya was the first city to rise after the deluge that destroyed humanity. Still another legend ascribes its ancient name to the eikon (image), or the gorgon's head, with which Perseus vanquished the native population before founding the Greek city.

Konya is the city of Whirling Dervishes, and has been for 800 years.

Located about three hours' drive south of Ankara, it's an extremely old city, its roots going back to Hittite times. Today it is the most religiously conservative city in Turkey—and proud of it.

During the holy month of Ramazan, many restaurants may be closed during daylight hours, and may open only for a quick break-the-fast dinner just after sundown.

Konya was the capital of the Seljuk Turkish Sultanate of Rum ("room," ie, Rome) which flourished in Anatolia from 1071 to 1275. Seljuk architecture is outstanding, and numerous great Seljuk buildings—mosques and theological seminaries mostly—are Konya's pride and joy.

During Seljuk times, Konya was the home of Jelaleddin Rumi (1207-1273), known to his followers as Mevlana (or Rumi), a Muslim poet and mystic and one of the great spiritual thinkers and teachers of all time.

If you come in early to mid-December you can witness the Mevlevi sema, or worship ceremony, in which the Mevlevi dervishes whirl for a quarter of an hour at a time in their quest for mystical union with the Divine. (Dervishes also whirl in Istanbul at the Galata Mevlevihanesi. and at Sirkeci Station.)

Central Turkey's Four Capitals

1
Ankara, Turkey's capital city,
2
Hattusas, the Late Bronze Age capital
3
Bogazköy; Konya, the Seljuk capital;
4
Gordion, the Phrygian capital.

KONYA (Iconium)

Konya is a city in Central Anatolia in Turkey which has protected its name for centuries. Legend says that Perseus killed a dragon that had been ravaging the town. The people set up a special monument to honor him, a stone obelisk with an icon of Perseus carved in it. This event gave the city it's name, Ikonyon, Ikonyum, Iconium.

However, among Muslims, another legend is told. Two dervishes, friends of Allah, were making an excursion through the skies from the far away countries of Horasan toward the west. When they flew over the lands of central Anatolia, one asked the other, "Shall I land?" ("Konayim mi?"). The other answered, "Sure, land." ("Kon ya!") So, they landed and founded the city of Konya.

Archaeology shows that the Konya region is one of the most ancient settlements of Anatolia. The results of excavations in Catalhöyük, Karahöyük, Cukurkent and Kucukoy show the region was inhabited as far back as the Neolithic Period (Late Stone Age) of BC 7000. Other settlers of the city before Islam were; the Calcolitic Period (Copper Age) civilizations, Bronze Age civilizations, Hittites, Frigians, Lidians, Persians, Romans and finally Byzantines.

Konya is an important place for Christians as well because St. Paul and St. Barnabas came to the city on one of their journeys in Asia Minor around 50 AD. St. Paul preached in Konya but they angered both Jews and Gentiles so they had to leave the city and went to Derbe and Lystra.

The first exposure of the city to Islam happened during the time of the Caliph Muaviya. Later, attacks made by Arabic Muslims, whether Emevi's or Abbasi's, yielded no results. Konya's real meeting with and adopting of Islam began some time after the victory of Seljuks at Malazgirt in 1071, in the time of Kutalmisoglu Suleyman. The attacks of the Crusaders from 1076 to the end of the 12th century could not wrench the city from Islam.

Konya was the capital of Seljuks between 1071 and 1308. In 1220 Alaaddin Keykubad I repaired the city wall and decorated them with towers. But the city has been the site of a power - struggle between the Seljuks, Karamanoglus, Mongols, and Ilhans and it changed hands a few times. In the time of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, in 1466, Konya joined the lands of the Ottoman Empire. The first general census was made by the sultan and repeated in the time of Bayazit II, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman, and Murad III.

In the time of Kanuni Suleyman, the city, which had been named as Karaman ili, reached the status of statehood. The borders of the Karaman state, which included the regions of Larende (Karaman), Seydisehri, Beysehri, Nigde, Kayseri (Cesarea), Aksaray, Maras, Elbistan, and Bozok, were reduced when Maras became its own state and Bozok was added to another state.

Konya was affected by the Celali Rebellion. This rebellion was an outcome of the instability in the Ottoman government and land orders in the Ottoman army was defeated by the command of Ibrahim Pasa, Grand Vizir of Sultan Suleyman, in the Battle of Konya.

The borders of the province of Konya, which was set up in 1867, included Nigde, Isparta, Icel and Teke Sanjaks. In the same year, the city was affected by a big fire and in 1873 suffered a serious famine.

In the 19th century the city appeared shabby and neglected and the city walls were in ruins and even the mosques were in terrible conditions. Many of the more recent houses were made of bricks and their lifespan was not more than 100-150 years. Commercial activity was slow. But at the end of the century, in 1896, after the railway to Eskisehir was opened, commercial activity was revived. After 1902, farming with machines developed. The period of sultan Abdul Hamid II was a productive one for Konya. Transport, education and restoration works flourished the city as they did in the whole of the country.

The First World War caused the decrease of manpower in Konya and throughout the country. During the occupation of Anatolia by the Allies, Konya's railway station was run by the British (January 1919). The Italian powers which occupied the city in April 1919, left the city in March 1920 during the Independence War led by Atatürk.

The most important place to visit in Konya is Mevlana's Mausoleum, the mystic poet on the way of sufism and the founder of the Whirling Dervish order. Apart from that there is Karatay Medrese, which was a theological school used as tiles museum today, Alaaddin Keykubat Mosque from 12th century and Ince Minare (Thin Minaret) Mosque.


When the Byzantines came into power, Konya became an independent province and was given the name "Lycanoia." A Byzantine church and several rock chapels filled with beautiful frescoes can be seen in the town of Sille, 8 kms northwest of Konya, where the first rock carved monasteries of the world were built

Ge:6:4: There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.


Ac:13:51: But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
Ac:14:1: And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
Ac:14:19: And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
Ac:14:21: And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Ac:16:2: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
2Tm:3:11: Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.


Ac:13:1: Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Ac:13:2: As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Ac:13:3: And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Ac:13:4: So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Ac:13:5: And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
Ac:13:6: And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:
Ac:13:7: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
Ac:13:8: But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Ac:13:9: Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Ac:13:10: And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Ac:13:11: And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Ac:13:12: Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Ac:13:13: Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
Ac:13:14: But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
Ac:13:15: And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
Ac:13:16: Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
Ac:13:17: The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
Ac:13:18: And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
Ac:13:19: And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
Ac:13:20: And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
Ac:13:21: And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
Ac:13:22: And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Ac:13:23: Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
Ac:13:24: When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Ac:13:25: And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
Ac:13:26: Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
Ac:13:27: For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
Ac:13:28: And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
Ac:13:29: And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
Ac:13:30: But God raised him from the dead:
Ac:13:31: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
Ac:13:32: And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
Ac:13:33: God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Ac:13:34: And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Ac:13:35: Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Ac:13:36: For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
Ac:13:37: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
Ac:13:38: Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
Ac:13:39: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Ac:13:40: Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
Ac:13:41: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
Ac:13:42: And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
Ac:13:43: Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Ac:13:44: And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
Ac:13:45: But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Ac:13:46: Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Ac:13:47: For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Ac:13:48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Ac:13:49: And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
Ac:13:50: But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
Ac:13:51: But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
Ac:13:52: And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Ac:14:1: And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
Ac:14:2: But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
Ac:14:3: Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Ac:14:4: But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Ac:14:5: And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
Ac:14:6: They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
Ac:14:7: And there they preached the gospel.
Ac:14:8: And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
Ac:14:9: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Ac:14:10: Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
Ac:14:11: And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
Ac:14:12: And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Ac:14:13: Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Ac:14:14: Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
Ac:14:15: And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
Ac:14:16: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
Ac:14:17: Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
Ac:14:18: And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
Ac:14:19: And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
Ac:14:20: Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Ac:14:21: And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Ac:14:22: Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Ac:14:23: And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Ac:14:24: And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
Ac:14:25: And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
Ac:14:26: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
Ac:14:27: And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Ac:14:28: And there they abode long time with the disciples.


Ac:16:1: Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Ac:16:2: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Ac:16:3: Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Ac:16:4: And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
Ac:16:5: And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Ac:16:6: Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Ac:16:7: After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
Ac:16:8: And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
Ac:16:9: And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Ac:16:10: And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Ac:16:11: Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
Ac:16:12: And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
Ac:16:13: And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
Ac:16:14: And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
Ac:16:15: And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Ac:16:16: And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Ac:16:17: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Ac:16:18: And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Ac:16:19: And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Ac:16:20: And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Ac:16:21: And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
Ac:16:22: And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
Ac:16:23: And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
Ac:16:24: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Ac:16:25: And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Ac:16:26: And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
Ac:16:27: And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
Ac:16:28: But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Ac:16:29: Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
Ac:16:30: And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Ac:16:31: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Ac:16:32: And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
Ac:16:33: And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Ac:16:34: And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Ac:16:35: And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
Ac:16:36: And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
Ac:16:37: But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
Ac:16:38: And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
Ac:16:39: And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
Ac:16:40: And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

2Tm:3:1: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Tm:3:2: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Tm:3:3: Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Tm:3:4: Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Tm:3:5: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Tm:3:6: For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Tm:3:7: Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Tm:3:8: Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Tm:3:9: But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
2Tm:3:10: But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
2Tm:3:11: Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2Tm:3:12: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Tm:3:13: But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2Tm:3:14: But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2Tm:3:15: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Tm:3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Tm:3:17: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Copyright © 1985-2004 World Gospel Ministries, Kenneth Martin, All Rights Reserved