Philippi was a city in eastern Macedonia established by the king of Macedon, Philip II, in 356 B.C. The objective of founding the town was to take control of the neighboring gold mines and to establish a garrison at a strategic passage. The modern day municipality of Filippoi is located near the ruins of the ancient city. References to Philippi appear in writings concerning the Roman civil war that followed the assassination of Julius Caesar. After Caesar's murder his heirs, Mark Antony and Octavian, confront his assassins Marcus Junius Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi in 42 B.C. Antony and Octavian are victorious in battle. Philippi becomes a Roman colony and capital of the province of Macedonia. During his second missionary journey Paul, in Troas, sees a vision of a man in Macedonia (Greece) asking for help (Acts 16:8-9). Paul, Silas and others immediately set sail for Neapolis. From there they travel to Philippi, where a woman named Lydia hears Paul's preaching and is soon baptized along with her entire household (Acts 16:12-15). While in Philippi Paul casts a demon out of a female slave (Acts 16:16-18). Her masters, however, angry that they have lost the ability to make more money off of the slave, stir up the city against Paul and Silas. The two evangelists are arrested, beaten and put in prison. Paul, Silas and others are freed when a miraculous earthquake causes ALL the cell doors to open and the bonds of ALL prisoners to be loosed! The church in Philippi was the first EUROPEAN church founded by the Apostle Paul. This was no doubt one of the reasons the Philippians had a unique, strong bond with him. Although composed primarily of those who were poor, the Philippian church sent supplies to Paul several times (Philippians 4:15-16, 2Corinthians 11:9). Sources: Easton's Bible Dictionary; Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge; Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible, Wikipedia | 
