Berea
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Acts 17:10, 13; 20:4) — today Verria, a Macedonian city, 20 English miles west of Thessalonica, near Mount Olympus to the north (Pindus). The inhabitants of Berea listened zealously to the preaching of the Apostle Paul, which converted many Jews and pagans to Christ. Here the Apostle Paul withdrew from Thessalonica, and from here, pursued by his enemies, he departed for Athens. Sopater, who accompanied the Apostle Paul as far as Troas, likewise belonged to the number of the Christians of Berea (Acts 20:2–5). In Berea there is still to this day a considerable population, chiefly Turks and Greeks, who trade in rice, fruits, and marble, and have silk factories.