felix hominum

In the footsteps of St Paul - pilgrimage 2010

Churches carved into the rock…ancient cities where the Gospel was first proclaimed…  the birthplace of the Creeds of the Church…  Roman and Byzantine ruins…Greek islands…sandy beaches…one of the friendliest and most interesting cultures in Asia…   All this and more can be found on our pilgrimage to modern-day Turkey, ancient Asia Minor, and the Greek island of Patmos.

Turkey was the site of much of Saint Paul’s work of evangelism, the home of Early Church theologians, and the site of the earliest ecumenical councils of the Church. Patmos was the home to St John the Divine, author of the last book of the New Testament, and the place where his Revelation was written. Both are tremendous places of pilgrimage for Christians today.  If you have ever wondered about the ancient world, about the life and times of Saint Paul, about the meaning and message of the Book of Revelation, or even about Christian theology in general, then this pilgrimage is for you! We will be following in the footsteps of the great Apostle, exploring the cities where he preached, taught and wrote, and visiting the land that in many ways gave rise to our modern church. In Western Turkey and on the Greek island of Patmos, we will explore the challenges of early Christian life in the ancient world, and the context which gave rise to some of the great Christian writings. We will visit, among other places, Ephesus, Colossae, Pergamum, Laodicea, Antioch of Psidia, Patmos, Nicea and, of course, Byzantium.

Please consider joining us for a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Paul next spring. The trip will be led by the Rev. Sally French and the Rev. Joe Walker.  A full itinerary and registration materials will be posted soon for downloading.

Itinerary in MS Word  Download Turkey_2010

Itinerary as PDF: Download Turkey Itin

speaking of Turkey...

Plans are being considered for another "Footsteps of St Paul" Christian pilgrimage to Turkey (and possbile a bit of Greece).  I'll post the proposed details as they take shape, but the dates we are considering are for late Spring 2010 - probably in late April.

serious looking saints...

Chora Church, Istanbul,

© Joe Walker, 2008

Arab shopkeeper, Jerusalem

 

Crosses over Capernaum

Crosses over Capernaum
photo ©  Joe Walker 2009

early morning, Holy Sepulchre, Old City of Jerusalem

the morning commute
©2009 Joe Walker

doors of the Holy Land

Muslim Quarter, Old City, jerusalem

rooftop hermitage, Old City, Jerusalem

Old Jaffa port
© 2009 Joe Walker

like a rolling stone tomb

photo © Joe Walker 2009

There are a few examples of rolling stone tombs still to be found in Israel.   This one in particular is found in Nazareth, and it comes with an unusual story.  Although, to be fair, most things in this part of the world come with an unusual story.  It seems that when the owners of this site were first purchasing land for expansion many years ago, the local Muslim landowner wanted a fairly steep price.  The land was, according to local legend, the "home of the righteous man."  The land was bought, and some time later, while doing work on the property, a first century house and road were uncovered, along with this first century tomb.  You can get a sense of what scripture means when it refers to rolling away the stone.  The location of this particular tomb is in Nazareth, and local speculation (nothing proven, except piety) ties in with Saint Joseph, whom the Gospel describes as being "a righteous man"...


Mark 15.45-16.8

When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’

the faithful at prayer: Western Wall, Jerusalem

photo: © Joe Walker 2009


 1st century temple steps exposed

The only problem with Masada...

word on the street: reaction to Obama's speech from the Green Line, Jerusalem

On the corner just outside the Damascus Gate leading up from the Old City of Jerusalem is a guy with a Bunsen burner.  For 3 shekels he will boil you up a fine Arabic coffee in just under 15 seconds.  I take mine ithneyn, 2 sugars.  The place is one of most under-rated people watching spots in the world.  You can throw a rock and hit the old Green Line, and I'm sure such a thing has in fact been done many times in the past.  Two or three street vendors sell kebabs and such - street meat in the Middle East is not for everyone, though I confess I do have a tender spot for it. 

The corner is a great meeting place for locals.  Workers heading to their day jobs will pick up their morning coffee, unemployed and out of school kids will gather to smoke incessantly, and in the evening the old men come out.  "Politicians, just politicians. We've heard politicians for 60 years.  This is nothing."  "What can he do?  He is not God."  In my rather unscientific poll (conducted, if you are wise, among the older gentlemen - the younger can become a bit too impassioned after a bit), what I heard was mostly a variation on "thanks for coming out Mr. President, but..."

ps:  a billboard in Nazareth, one block from the Church of the Annunciation:

East Jerusalem, child among the women

photo: © Joe Walker 2009

by the time you read this, I'll be in Jerusalem...

And probably have a real coffee at Yaravan's cafe just inside the Old City (near the New Gate - take a left just at the first street.  Can't miss it.  As the Turks say, coffee should be strong as death, black as hell, and sweet as love.

I'll try to post some updates from our 2009 Holy Land pilgrimage as we travel.  If you would like to see the basic itinerary, click here.

Mt Sinai, mid morning

photo Joe Walker

The little gathering at the bottom of the photo is the last of several tea huts along the way.  It also serves as a bit of a camel parking lot. At the top right you can make out a few pilgrims who are near the summit.

caeserea mosaic

the church at prayer

 

Coptic area, Old Cairo
photo Joe Walker, 2007

the rock churches of central Cappadocia

The early Christian communities of Cappadocia.  I think the thing which most strikes visitors is the contrast between the sheer rock and stone of the exterior, and the rich decoration of the interior.  The first shot shows the beginning of the internal structure;  it was exposed after earthquake damage.  I think this to be an apt symbol for the life of the monastic and the hermit.  From a purely external point of view, all one sees is the harsh discipline of the ascetic life.  But within, hidden from view, is the rich spiritual life of one who devoted to Christ.

from a cafe in Istanbul

photo©Joe Walker

all the colours of the rainbow

that would be a selection of belly dancing outfits in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

photo Joe Walker 2008

days in the wilderness

Judean wilderness
photo Joe Walker 2005

house, somewhat falling, Turkey

photo Joe Walker 2008

no entrance

Seraglio, Turkey,
photo Joe Walker, 2008

waterfront, Istanbul

photo Joe Walker, 2008

Burial tombs, central Turkey

just to you in the mood for Aeneas' further adventures in the underworld

 

photos: Joe Walker, 2008

this ain't Kansas, Dorothy

in fact, it's the far side of Mt Sinai.  Over the ridge away from the main pilgrimage routes there is a great little place where Ahmed & I had some tea and about an hour of  conversation.  He runs a great little shop which is, ummmm, off the beaten track.

I'll introduce you if you want to join us this spring for our next Holy Land Pilgrimage.

ritual washing / 'baptismal' at Qumran

Notice the two sets of steps:  you go in one way, and you come out a different way.  It captures my imagination that this is a physical image of change of direction.

"Repent, and be baptized."

photo: felix hominum

Ruins, Petra, Jordan

Roman square, Petra, Jordan.

[click for full size & better colour]

Holy Land Pilgrimage 2009 -

Full itinerary is here in Word or PDF

Registration materials are here in Word or PDF

What are the basics? 

Following Christ and the First Christians: A Pilgrimage Through the Holy Land and Egypt in the Footsteps of Jesus and the Desert Fathers:

A Holy land Pilgrimage is being planned for Feb 2-21, 2009.  The itinerary will follow sites from the life of Christ throughout the Holy Land, along with sites important to the background of Christianity and the lives of the early Christians. The pilgrimage will be led Reverend Sally French and the Reverend Joseph Walker, both Anglican clergy with experience leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land. We will be journeying through Israel and Egypt, following the bible stories from Bethlehem to Nazareth, the Galilee, the Judean Wilderness, the Dead Sea, the ancient city of Jerusalem, and many other sites. In Egypt, we begin with the Sinai Desert, the wilderness of the Exodus. We will then explore the landscapes of the Desert Fathers and the early Christians, and journey to the monastic centers of the ancient world.

For more information, go to the Holy Land Pilgrimage blogsite.

Full itinerary for the 2009 Holy Land Pilgrimage: Christ and the First Christians

can be viewed here, registrations forms, etc, will be uploaded shortly.

ps - I will be departing from Edmonton, but we can make a variety of accomodations for people who would like to come, but would be departing from other cities.

Christ and the Early Christians - Holy Land Pilgrimage 2009

Here are the basic details of the next Holy Land pilgrimage.  I'll have more stuff to download for those who are interested - registration forms, fuller itinerary, etc. I'm away for a couple of days, so you can just email me if you think this might be something you would like to join us for:

Following Christ and the First Christians: A Pilgrimage Through the Holy Land and Egypt in the Footsteps of our Lord and the Desert Fathers

Our pilgrimage will begin in Israel, in the Holy City of Jerusalem. There, we will stand where Jesus stood 2000 years ago, we will visit the sites of his life, his death, and his resurrection. As we journey, we will come to new understandings of our faith, our scriptures, and our traditions.

The trip will be led by the Reverend Sally French and the Reverend Joseph Walker, both Anglican clergy with experience leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land. We will be journeying through Israel and Egypt, following the bible stories from Bethlehem to Nazareth, the Galilee, and, of course, Jerusalem. In Egypt, we begin with the Sinai Desert, the wilderness of the Exodus. We will then explore the landscapes of the Desert Fathers and the early Christians, the monastic centers of the ancient world, the great city of Alexandria, the monuments of Pharaoh’s Egypt, and the modern-day metropolis of Cairo.If you have already visited the Holy Land, then this pilgrimage is an opportunity to revisit the holy sites, to acquaint yourself with new places, and to continue your pilgrim journey through this ancient land. Our pilgrimage is designed for both newcomers and returning pilgrims

Monday, February 2, 2009:Depart Edmonton for Israel.

Tuesday, Feb 3, 2009:Arrive in Tel Aviv. Bus to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at our hotel within the Old City walls.

Wednesday, Feb 4, 2009:Jerusalem at the time of Jesus: An overview of the city, its history and geography.

Thursday, Feb 5, 2009:Ancient Jerusalem: Following the Roman Cardo (the ‘heart’ of the Roman city), we will look at the archaeological remains of the ancient kings, tracing the biblical story through the sites and references of the Jewish and Armenian Quarters. In the afternoon, we explore the birth of the Messiah with a journey to Bethlehem to visit the Basilica of the Nativity and the Shepherds’ Fields. Dinner in Bethlehem with some of the Palestinian Christians who live ‘behind the wall’.

Friday, Feb 6, 2009:Jerusalem in decline: as Jewish rebels struggled with Roman occupation at the end of the first century, the geography of the Holy City was forever changed. We will examine the history of the city, looking at key events and features of the decades immediately following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Visit the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion, stopping to reflect on the sites of Christ’s ministry there, including the ancient Pater Noster Church and the site where Jesus wept over Jerusalem

Saturday, Feb 7, 2009:The Wilderness of Jesus: the Judean Wilderness, the Dead Sea, Masada and Qumran. Our pilgrimage takes us into the deserts around Jerusalem, to the Wadi Quelt in the Judean Wilderness, to the ancient city of Jericho, then on to Masada. We will have the opportunity to float in the Dead Sea, to visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, and to explore the Negev desert.

Sunday, Feb 8, 2009 - worship with the local Christian communities, at St George’s Anglican Cathedral, at Christ Church Anglican in the Old City, and other local churches. After lunch, we will be meeting to tour the Church of the Resurrection, on the site of the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Monday, Feb 9, 2009:The Galilee region: Early departure for the north, via the Jordan River Valley. Stops at Bet Shean and Bet Alpha, Mount Tabor, and on to Tiberias for the night

Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009:The Sea of Galilee and beyond - move up into the heights of the Galilee region, exploring the Golan, and continuing as far as Caesarea Philippi in the northernmost region of Israel.

Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009:The heart of the Galilee: We will begin with a visit to Sepphoris, the ancient center of the region. From there, we will travel through Cana to Nazareth, visiting the sites of Christ’s childhood home. Dinner and overnight with the Sisters of Nazareth, including private tour of their excavations.

Thursday, Feb 12, 2009:From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth: We return to the Holy City along the via maris, following the Mediterranean coast. We will explore Caesarea Maritima, Herod’s great seaside fortress, and the seat of the Roman governors of Judea, also famous as the site of the Apostle Paul’s captivity.

Friday, Feb 13, 2009:Free day in Jerusalem

Saturday, Feb 14, 2009:Early departure from Jerusalem to the Sinai desert via the Negev, with stops in the wilderness, including Ein Gedi, the spring where King David hid from Saul and his army. Arrive in Egypt (Taba/Eilat border crossing) in time for a packed lunch. Drive into the desert for wilderness stops. Overnight either in the Sinai Wilderness (sleeping bags provided) or in a hotel on the Red Sea shore.

Sunday, Feb 15, 2009:The ‘Wilderness of Sin’ – the desert of the Exodus, ancient monuments, and the Silence of the desert. Eucharist in the wilderness. Including stops at the Feiran Oasis Convent, and on to Overnight at Saint Katherine’s Monastery/ Mount Sinai. Evening “Camel Orientation”

Monday, Feb 16, 2009:Our Sinai experience continues with a pre-dawn climb up Mount Sinai via camel or on foot. Sunrise Eucharist up Mount Sinai, option for pilgrims to climb to the summit. Tour of the Monastery, including museum and the Church.

Tuesday, Feb 17, 2009:The First Christians: we will be visiting the Monastery of Saint Anthony of the Desert, the oldest active Christian monastery in the world and an ancient center for the Desert Fathers. There, we will encounter modern-day Coptic Christian monastic life and learn about the traditions of the Desert Fathers.

Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009:The Land of Pharaoh: We will be visiting the monuments of ancient and modern Egypt, with a special focus on the Christian and Jewish quarter, and on the bustling ancient market, the Khan el-Khalili. On this day, we will be able to contrast the silence of the desert with the chaos of Egyptian city life, giving us new insights into the lives of the first Christians.

Thursday, Feb 19, 2009:The Early Christian Community and the Alexandrian Traditions: We depart early, driving north through the Nile Delta on our way to Alexandria, the city founded by Alexander the Great and once a major centre for philosophy and learning. After our tour of the ancient city, we will return to Cairo via the Wadi Natrun Oasis, home to a number of active and ancient Coptic monasteries with many ties to the first Christians

Friday, Feb 20, 2009:Our final day begins in the company of our fellow Anglicans from Africa as we join with them in the Eucharist at All Saints Cathedral, Cairo. We will spend the afternoon exploring the hidden treasures of the Egyptian Museum and the City of the Dead

Saturday, Feb 21, 2009:Out of Egypt: Depart from Cairo for North America.