The Holy Land
Biblical scholars state that around 90 per cent of the Bible story took place on a piece of land some 150x50 miles, which today is in effect the Holy Land.
It is natural that many pilgrims are drawn to travel to the lands of the Bible. Over the centuries, neither wars, natural disasters, nor other obstacles have deterred pilgrims from reaching the Holy Land in order to experience Christ as closely as possible in this world.
Tragically, the conflicts have not subsided, but neither has the
desire of Christians to reach the Holy Land.
The lands of the Bible stretch beyond the boundaries of modern Israel. Jordan is rich in Old Testament sites, such as Mt Nebo, from where Moses viewed the Promised Land and Kerack.
No visit to this country would be complete without seeing Petra the “Rose-red city half as old as Time.”
In Egypt, you can visit St Catharine’s Monastery, from where there is the opportunity for an early morning ascent of Mt Sinai.
Egypt should not be thought of as purely Muslim. In Cairo you can visit the Coptic Christian area of Old Cairo, including the ‘Hanging Church’, as well as Alexandria, including the Church of St Mark, who introduced Christianity to this city.
Israel
Tabgha
The site of the feeding of the 5,000. Here in the Church you see the remains of a 4th century Byzantine mosaic of bread and fishes. You can walked to the church next door to see the rock on which Peter, after the Resurrection, is believed to have assured Jesus of his love three times.
Mount Tabor
The site of the Transfiguration of Jesus.
Bethlehem and the Basilica of the Nativity
Little changed since the time of the 4th Century. There are traces of Byzantine mosaics and the Crusader paintings of saints on the pillars. Here you can visit the grotto which is honoured as the birthplace of Jesus. The site of the Nativity of Jesus was identified by St Justin Martyr, a 2nd-century Christian apologist, as a manger in "a cave close to the village"; the cave, now under the name of the Church of the Nativity in the heart of the town, has been continuously venerated by Christians since then.
Garden of Gethsemane
On the night that he was arrested, Jesus prayed in this garden in great agony, while his friends slept. It was here where he received the kiss of betrayal from Judas.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
This site is thought to be the holiest place in the Christian religion. According to Christian tradition this was the site of Jesus' crucifixion and his burial.
Tomb of Rachel, Bethlehem
This small building, located on the outskirts of Bethlehem marks the traditional Tomb of Rachel, Jacob's wife.
Capernaum
The town of Jesus, which then was a flourishing town with about 50,000 population. Now there are some excavations of the old houses and of the synagogue, where Jesus often preached. He found many of his disciples here. The house of apostle St. Peter was in Capernaum and Christ visited it often.
The Western Wall
Also known as the Wailing Wall, in the Old City of Jerusalem, is a place of prayer and pilgrimage sacred to the Jewish people. It is the only remains of the Second Temple of Jerusalem destroyed by the Romans, under Titus in AD 70, which are held uniquely holy by the ancient Jews.
Sea of Galilee
Where Christ walked on the water, calmed the storm & met many of his disciples.