Myra standard
formed by the openings of two valleys. At an early period Myra was of less importance than was the neighboring city Patara, yet later it became a prominent port for ships from Egypt and Cyprus, and Theodosius II made it …
Where is Myra in the Bible?
Myra was a city located in Lycia, a region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), and appears in the New Testament book of Acts. The city is biblically significant as the place where the Apostle Paul's ship stopped during his journey to Rome as a prisoner in chains. Though initially less prominent than the neighboring city Patara, Myra later became an important port city, particularly for trade with Egypt and Cyprus. Beyond its biblical mention, Myra gained historical fame as the birthplace of Saint Nicholas, a revered bishop and patron saint of sailors, whose legacy has made the city an important site in Christian tradition.
In Scripture1 biblical book; 1 with study content
- Acts
Myra
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)formed by the openings of two valleys. At an early period Myra was of less importance than was the neighboring city Patara, yet later it became a prominent port for ships from Egypt and Cyprus, and Theodosius II made it the capital of the province. It was also famed as the seat of worship of an Asiatic deity whose name is no longer known. Nicholas, a bishop and the patron saint of sailors, is said to have been buried in a church on the road between Myra and Andraki, the port. Here an Arab fleet was destroyed in 807. In 808 Haroun al-Rashid, the renowned kalif of Bagdad, took the city, and here Saewulf landed on his return from Jerusalem. Dembre is the modern name of the ruins of Myra, which are among the most imposing in that part of Asia Minor. The elaborate details of the decoration of theater are unusually well preserved, and the rock-hewn tombs about the city bear many bas-reliefs and inscriptions of interest. On the road to Andraki the monastery of Nicholas may still be seen.
E. J. Banks
(1) (mor or mowr; Arabic murr]): This substance is mentioned as valuable for its perfume (Ps 45:8; Pr 7:17; <ref osisRef="Bible:Song.3.6