The city of Philippi was formerly called Crenides. The word
Crenides, which means "the fountain," may have been used for this Macedonian city's name due to it being surrounded by numerous rivulets and springs descending from the neighboring mountains. Philippi was a
Roman colony (e.g. a military settlement of Roman soldiers) and capital of the province of Macedonia.
The church at Philippi was the first fruits of European Christianity and the Philippians themselves had a unique, strong bond with Paul. Although composed primarily of those who were poor, the Philippian church sent supplies to Paul several times (see Philippians 4:15-16, 2Corinthians 11:9).
