Heidi arrives at the JC.
On our way to Galilee we stop before we go below sea level.
We stop at the Jordan River. This is close to the sight where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. It is also where Seth was baptized.
Access to the Jordan River is in a buffer zone or the West Bank between the current state of Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan.
Off to Bet Shean. This is the best preserved Roman/Byzantine city in the country. It was continuously occupied for nearly 6,000 years. The tel contains 15 cities.
On the top of the tel is remains from when the Pharaohs controlled Palestine starting with Thutmose III.
We enter the grand Theatre at Bet Shean.
As we continue on our drive to Galilee we see a Shepard herding his sheep and goats across the road. We are surprised at the red hair of the youth.
Our first stop at Galilee is the Greek Orthodox Church in Capernaum the gardens and pathway to the church have chickens and peacocks.
We call this Greek Orthodox Church the pink roofed church.
Inside it is very ornate. Lots of gold leaf and illustrations of Christ and the 12 apostles.
At the back of the church is a pier that overlooks the Sea of Galilee.
Next we go to Peters Capernum that is next door. This is the remains of a Jewish synagogue made of white limestone. It is built on the remains of an older Synagogue made of the black basalt stone found locally that dates closer to the time of Christ.
These are some of the remains of homes in Capernum. You can see the Greek church in the background.
A view of the Sea of Galilee from Capernaum
On to Tabgha and the black basalt Church of St. Peter Primacy. These mosaic are in a church commemorating the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes when Jesus miraculously fed 5000.
In the church of St. Peter's Primacy is a large flat rock. It is the traditional spot where Christ appeared after His Resurrection to His disciples and fed them breakfast. While they were eating, the Savior asked Peter three times, "Lovest thou me?"When Peter responded in the affirmative, the Savior commanded Peter to "feed my sheep". Both of these churches deal with feeding the body and more importantly feeding the spirit.
The Church of the Beatitudes is located on a mountain that overlooks the Sea of Galilee. The Catholic's built this church in the traditional area that is associated with the Sermon on the Mount, one of the greatest sermon's ever given. It is an octagonal shape, each side representing one of the Beatitudes (counting 10 and 11 as one beatitude).
A lovely view as we drive away from the Sea of Galilee toward Cesearea on the Mediterranean Sea.
Cesearea
Herod's Aqua ducts.
After church on Sabbath(Saturday) we head off to the Garden Tomb. We go by Damascus Gate.
Below Damascus Gate are the old Roman gates from the time of Christ.
In the cliff you can see a skull. The mouth part was chiseled back when it became a bus parking lot. This is one of the possible places of Christs crucifixion. It is just outside the city wall and close to the Garden tomb.
This is an ancient wine press that proves this place was a "garden" anciently.
Heidi in an ancient tomb.
The outside of the tomb.
On our walk home we stop to smell the spices.
The Dead Sea
At almost 1400 feet below sea level, the shores of the Dead Sea represent the lowest spot on earth. Six million tons of water evaporate off the Dead Sea daily and is shrinking at a rate of 3 feet per year. The Dead Sea contains over 30% salinity, while the ocean is about 3.5%. Besides salt, potash, bromine and gypsum are used from the sea.
A view from Masada
The remains of Herod's northern palace. It is pretty impressive.
Looking down onto the different levels of the northern palace,
The remains of a tower that was a dove cot. They raised doves for eating, sacrifice and used there droppings for fertilizer.
A mosaic floor from the west palace.
The southern cistern where water was stored on top of Masada.
In to Jordan and off to Petra we go
Our guide took this "trick" picture of us. I had no idea what he was doing. It does look pretty funny.
Off to Old Town we go!
We go through the Orson Hyde Park on our way.
The first church we stop at is Dominus Flevit which means "the Lord wept". This church was built to remember when Christ rode over the Mount of Olives during his Triumphal Entry and he wept over the Holy City because the people rejected him and he predicted its future destruction. The shape of the church is in the form of a tear drop.
Next we stop at one of my favorites, Mary Magdalene.
The grove of olive trees on the mount of olives.
The Church of all Nations built to remember the suffering in the Garden of Gethsamine.
Tombs in the valley of Hinnom. These tombs were around at the time of Christ. This is the valley he would have crossed from the city to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. John's gospel refers to him going to the garden often.
Next we arrive at Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. This church commemorates Jesus' trial by the High Priest Caiaphas, and also Peter's triple denial of the Savior.
A beautiful stain glass in the ceiling.
A shimmering mosaic in the church. The church is very modern and brightly colored.
In the basement of this church is an ancient dungeon. Some believe Christ may have been whipped and beaten here.
This statue is of Peter denying Christ and the cock on top of the pillar crowing.
Inside the city walls.
Heidi looking at the ancient excavation inside the city.
We go to the temple mount and check out the Dome of the Rock.
Here we are in front of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Since 325AD this church has marked the spot for many Christians as the crucifixion, burial and resurrection site of Christ.
Inside we go. The church is shared by many christian churches.
Tradition says this is the stone where Christ's body laid after he was taken off the cross.
A service that was going on inside part of the church.
Here we are outside in the courtyard of the Church of Flagellation and The Church of Condemnation.
No comments:
Post a Comment