felix hominum

Update: Holy Land Pilgrimage 2009, In the footsteps of Jesus

We've had interest from bishop Greg Kerr Wilson of Qu'Appelle having some people from his diocese join us on a Holy Land Pilgrimage in 2009.  So we have done a bit of adjusting and here is the updated info for 2009: 

The itinerary is very similar to our original pilgrimage route, with two options:  Israel only, and for those who wish, Egypt and Israel combined.

For full itinerary and pricing click here.

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.

Wall dating to Second Temple unearthed in Jerusalem

Remains of the southern wall of Jerusalem that was built by the Hasmonean Kings during the Second Temple period have been uncovered on Mount Zion, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday.

The 2,100-year-old wall, which was destroyed during the Great Revolt against the Romans that began in 66 CE, is located on Mount Zion just outside the present-day walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and abuts a Catholic cemetery which was built in the last century

story at J'lem Post

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.

Have Temple, will travel

From the ancient synagogue at Capernaum:
(photo felix hominum, 2007)

A temple on wheels, with some classical overtone in the architecture?  a travelling ark?  the mobility of Judaism after the destruction of the Temple?

For real buffs on ancient synaguges, you can read:

Ancient Synagogues: Historical Analysis and Archaeological Discovery
By Dan Urman, Paul Virgil McCracken Flesher
Contributor Dan Urman, Paul Virgil McCracken Flesher
Published by BRILL, 1998

Details on the next Holy Land pilgrimages coming soon

As soon as I have a bit of time, I'll be posting the details of our next Holy Land Pilgrimages.  Two are in the works for 2009.  The first will be throughout Israel and Egypt (the life of Christ and the early Christians), and the second will be the sites of Greece and the context of some of Paul's letters and the mission of the early church. 

A pilgrimage to the lands of the New Testament is a journey that changes
lives. When we visit the sites where it all began, we come to understand our
scriptures, our traditions and our faith in new ways. We also have
opportunities to meet the local people, to experience a new culture, to
tour, to shop, and to enjoy a unique trip.

Pilgrimages are planned for 2009, and we invite you to join us on a tour of the Holy Land and Egypt, following  Christ and the first Christians (February 2-21, 2009) and on a tour of Greece, following Saint Paul and the Early Church (November 2-14, 2009). 

Our Holy Land pilgrimage is intended both as an introduction for newcomers
to the region, and as a way for previous pilgrims to deepen their
connection, to explore new sites, and to revisit the region, travelling on a
different itinerary. If you have been before, but would like to return,
possibly with someone who has never visited the Holy Land, then this
pilgrimage is an ideal opportunity. We will Begin in Jerusalem, visiting the
Galilee, the Golan, the Mediterranean coast, the wilderness and other areas,
before continuing on to Egypt, including Sinai, the Eastern Desert,
Alexandria and Cairo.

Our pilgrimage in Greece is a new destination for us, and we invite you to
join with us as we explore this exciting destination. We will visit many of
the sites of the Letters of the New Testament, including Thessalonike and
Corinth, tour the monuments of the ancient world, including Delphi and the
Parthenon, and engage some contemporary Greek Christians as we tour ancient
monastic communities which still offer hospitality to pilgrims. Our visit
concludes in Athens, with an extensive exploration of the wonders of this
city, both ancient and modern.

I'll update this post and put up more details shortly.

Chora Mosaic - the wedding at Cana

Mount Sinai, early morning

Over the wine dark sea...

And some one shall some day say
even of men that are yet to be,
as he saileth in his many-benched ship
over the wine-dark sea:
'This is a barrow of a man that died in olden days,
whom on a time, in the midst of his prowess
glorious Hector slew.’

So shall some man say,
and my glory shall never die."

Iliad VII. 54

Coast, near ancient Troy

Schliemann's Trench

near Ephesus, Kushadasi harbour

Deputy Mayor sorry about burning New Testaments...

The burning of hundreds of New Testaments by yeshiva students in Or Yehuda last week was regrettable and unplanned, the city's deputy mayor, the man who spurred the students to act, told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

Deputy Mayor Uzi Aharon of Shas used the opportunity of speaking to the Post, which publishes a monthly Christian Edition, to apologize to Christians worldwide, saying he hoped the incident would not inflame tensions between Jews and Christians.

Following the publication of the story on Tuesday, however, many messianic Jewish and other Christian groups expressed grave concern over the increasingly violent nature of anti-missionary activity in Israel.

Aharon had a very busy Tuesday. In the morning, Ma'ariv ran a story on how he organized to retrieve and burn hundreds of New Testaments given to Ethiopian Jews in his city by local messianic Jews. By 9 a.m. he was on an Army Radio news-talk show defending his actions, which he called "purging the evil among us."

At 10:30 he was on Channel 2's morning news show saying that Ethiopian immigrants in Or Yehuda were being encouraged to go against Judaism by messianic Jews. "We need to stop being ashamed of our Jewishness and to fight those who are breaking the law by missionizing against us," he said.

But by the early afternoon he had already been interviewed by Russian, Italian and French TV, explaining to their highly offended audiences back home how he had not meant for the Bibles to be burned, and trying to undo the damage caused by the news [and photographs] of Jews burning New Testaments.

But then he also told The Associated Press that he didn't condemn the Bible burning, calling it a "commandment."

from the Jerusalem Post

I saw this article a while ago, and have been interested in the various responses to this incident.  As numerous voices have said, this is an ironic picture, to say the least.

 

near St John's Church, ancient Ephesus

I have become like a pelican in the wilderness... Psalm 102:6

minaret, Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Theotokos; Hagia Sophia; may 2008

the philosophers' pavillion, I forget where, I'll look it up

column laying in field, west of Iconium

woman selling pigeon feed, Istanbul

She sits outside the mosque by the Galata Bridge, overlooking the Bosphorus.

Christ Pantocrator; Hagia Sophia

Detail of column; cedar mosque, SW Turkey

Chora mosaics

                        
                                                                                           

In the footsteps of Paul - pilgrimage 2008

In a few days we will be heading to Asia Minor for our Footsteps of St Paul Pilgrimage.  I will try to post some updates from the Holy Land as time and access to cheap internet cafes allow.  I have chosen my preferred mode of transportation for the trip:

Saudi king says he'll convene interfaith conference with Jews

Saudi King Abdullah's desire to convene a meeting between Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious communities was reported today by the official Saudi Arabian News Agency.

"I invite representatives of all the monotheistic religions to meet with their brothers in faith," the king was quoted as saying. The theme of the expected conference was reported to be "respect among the religions."

The news agency reported that senior Muslim leaders authorized the idea and consultations would be made with Islamic religious authorities from other countries. The king went on to say that "with God's help we will meet our brethren from other religions, including those who believe in the Torah and in the Gospel, in order to find ways to defend humanity."

full story from the Jerusalem Post

Epiphany 3, Matthew 4: 12-18

He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea;

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen.
And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues:

Just a few pics to set the tone.  I'll fish around for some more.  But here's a fascinating one for you to consider - the synagogue on wheels, able to go anywhere, beyond the geographic confines of the temple...


photos: felix hominum, 2005, 2007

Footsteps of St Paul Pilgrimage - approaching last call

We are currently finalizing details for our upcoming pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Paul.  Sally and I are really looking forward to being with everyone on this adventure.  If there are any who are undecided, but are still thinking about coming, please send me an email asap, as we need to give final numbers for our bookings soon.  For those who are coming, we will have a few preparatory meetings ahead of time to equip us to better enter into the pilgrimage and enjoy it.  Full details and itinerary are listed here.

what the camels thought of the journey of the magi

somewhere in Jordan,  spring  2007

Footsteps of St Paul Pilgrimage reminder

Info on the upcoming Footsteps of St Paul Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (late Spring 2008), can be found here.  If you are interested in going but are not sure about any of the details,  just send me an email.  Have a look through the itinerary.  As a note to those who have already registered, I'll be adding some links on that same page to some useful sites.

Christians disappearing from West Bank

The Palestinian Christian population has dipped to 1.5 percent of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, down from at least 15% a half century ago, according to some estimates.

No one city in the Holy Land is more indicative of the great exodus of Christians than Bethlehem, which fell under full Palestinian control last decade as part of the Oslo Accords.

The town of 30,000 is now less than 20% Christian, after decades when Christians were the majority. Elsewhere in the Palestinian territories, only about 3,000 Christians, mostly Greek Orthodox, live in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, out of a strongly conservative Muslim population of 1.4 million.

"In a society where Arab Christians have no voice and no protection it is no surprise that they are leaving," he said.

In his address, Weiner pointedly downplayed the effects that Israeli security measures, such as the security barrier being built between Israel and the West Bank, have had on the Christian Arabs living in the West Bank.

The barrier, which is especially conspicuous at the entrance to Bethlehem where it is a concrete wall, is an issue which many Palestinian Christian clerics have pointed to, along with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as a central cause of Christian emigration.

Weiner argued there was a "180 degree difference" between the public statements coming out of the mainstream Christian leadership in the Holy Land - who "sing the PA's tune" and blame Israel for all the Christian Arabs' ills - and people's experience on the ground.

"The truth is beginning to come out," he said. "The question is what is being done with the truth."

His comments come just months after a prominent Christian activist, Rami Khader Ayyad, 32, was killed in Gaza.

from the Jerusalem post