ANTAKYA (ANTIOCH)
Antakya is in the Mediterranean Region by the Iskenderun Bay. The ancient city was very important for early Christianity. The city has taken its name from the father of Seleucus Nicator; Antiochus and from 301 B.C. on it was called ''Antioch''. There are sacred
buildings and churches in the region. The most important of them is St. Peter's Grotto in which the early Christians called themselves ''Christian'' for the first time. Simeon the Stylite is also associated with Antakya, and it was from here that Paul and Barnabus
set out on their first journey.