PHILADELPHIA - To find a name worthy of his vision, Penn looked to the past. The name he chose, "Philadelphia," directly honored an ancient Greek city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). This ancient Philadelphia was one of the seven churches of Asia addressed in a letter from Jesus in the Book of Revelation.
In that biblical letter, Jesus praises the Church in Philadelphia for its steadfast faith and perseverance. This powerful image of a faithful and peaceful community resonated deeply with Penn and his Quaker ideals.
