# Thessalonica, Thessalonians

## Facts

In New Testament times, Thessalonica was the capital city of Macedonia in the ancient Roman empire. The people living in that city were called the "Thessalonians."

* The city of Thessalonica was an important seaport and was also situated on a major highway that connected Rome to the rest of the Roman empire to the east.
* Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, visited Thessalonica on his second missionary journey and as a result, a thriving church was established there. Later, Paul also visited the city on his third missionary journey.
* Paul wrote two letters to the Christians in Thessalonica. These letters, First Thessalonians and Second Thessalonians, are included in the New Testament.