Holy Land Pilgrimage

some holy land pics

can be found here.

The house of St Mark

Off in the fogotten quarters of the Syraic Church is St Mark's Syriac Cathedral.  It houses one of the three contending sites for the "Upper Room" and the last supper.  The last time I was in Jerusalem, I worshipped with them during Holy Week - the footwashing ceremony and the commemoration of the the last supper.  Sister Justina was our guide.  I met her a few years ago and she is a ball of fire.  The language of the chruch is Aramaic - the probable everyday language of Jesus.  She sang the tradional setting of the aramaic Lord's Prayer for us, and took us on a tour of the ruins.  The room beneath the church is a first century BC dwelling which is reputed to have belonged to the family of St Mark.  The site has more marks of authenticity than soem of the other sites claiming to be the room.  Sister told us about the various miracles she has witnessed over the years in this place, and how the "power of the Spirit brings hearts to our Lord Jesus from this place".

This morning we visited the western wall again, the temple steps from Jesus' time, and teh city of David - where we saw the archelogical discoveries relating to his palace and throne room. 

We just got back from Yad vaShem - "a place and a name" - the Holocaust museum.  It is truly one of the most powerful places in this city.

Bethlehem, Shepherd's Fields & the Dead Sea Scrolls

|Yesterday was a blistering hot day beginning at Masada, followed by a visit to Qumran and then a float/bob/ dip in the Dead Sea.  Today we spent the morning in Bethlehem, visiting the Church of the Nativity off Manger Square.  It is a place in all likelihood lays as great a claim as any to be the place where Jesus was born.  The Christians in the Holy Land often feel quite beseiged, as they are a minority within a minority.  More than one commented that soon there would be no Christians left here.

After lunch in Bethlehem we headed off to the Shepherd's Field - the traditional area where the angels announced the birth of the Messiah, and also the setting for the gleaning of the book of Ruth.  After some songs, readings and prayers, we headed back into Jerusalem.

We had a grand tour of the Israel Museum which contains the Shrine of the Book - the ancien findings from Qumran which comprise the Dead Sea Scrolls.  Tomorrow it's up early (before the 32 degree heat) for some walking around the Mount of Olives and the Old City Gates

A Big Hug & Hi

To Justin, Adam, Sarah Joy and Emily Grace and Alisa!!  I hope that soccer season start up has gone well, and you guys are having fun.  Adam and Sarah Joy and Justin, I found some great little treats that I think you will like, and Emily Grace:  I found a treaure chest for you!!  Alisa, thanks for holding down the fort while we are away, love you lots and see you soon!!

Jerusalem the Golden

We arrived in Jerusalem by way of Armageddon a few days ago.  After staying at the Sea of Galillee for two days, we took the group to see the ancient site of Megiddo: the ancient plain and hilltop fortess which was the site of Canaanite power and religion almost 3500 years ago.

We also took folks to the town of Cana, where you can shop at the "First Miracle Wine Store" for your favourite red or white.  The closer one gets to Jerusalem, the more the mix of commercial and religious becomes apparent.  On our way into the city we prayed the "Psalms of Ascent".  These are the psalms which pilgrims for generations would sing as they approached the Temple.  Our hotel is the Knights' Palace (a bit of a misnomer) just inside the New Gate in the Old City.  From my room I can walk three paces and touch the walls of the Old City.

Jerusalem is a bustling city, full of tension (there was a rocket attack to the east last night).  We gave everyone an introduction to the four quarters of the Old City:  Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Armenian.  As it was sundown at Sabbath, we went to visit the Western Wall, where there were Jews of every variety of piety praying, studying, reading and singing.  The Wall at the beginning of Sabbath is something to behold.

Yesterday evening after the shops openined up again I headed off to Ben Yehuda Street for the post Sabbath festivities.  17 shekels for a Swiss chocolate milk shake.... mmmm.   Tomorrow we are off to Masada, the Dead Sea and Qumran.

the Sea of Galillee

We made our exit from Petra, and traveled north along the Jordanian side of the Jordan River, crossing over at the Hussein bridge, and arrived at the town of Tiberias 2 nights ago.  The sea of Gallilee is the site of so many episodes in the Gospels that it is hard to narrow down our visits.  We began with a renewal of our baptismal vows at the Yardenit baptismal site on the Jordan river.   The site itself is now run by a kibbutz and has installed several 'secure' pilgrimage spots.  This was the result of seeing overly enthusiastic pilgrims getting swept away by the currents in years past.

After Yardenit, we went for a cruise on the sea with a local boat, whose skipper showed us some of the techniques and equipment used in the time of Jesus and the disciples.  In the afternoon we went to the mount of the beatitudes, the "church of Peter's Primacy" on the shore of the sea, and then to the ruins of the ancient town of Capherneum.  Just south of the ruins is an ancient house believed to be the house of Peter, where the healing of his mother in law took place.

The shift from Egypt and Jordan to Israel is remarkable in many ways.  The first thing people notice is the immense security structure upon arrival:  customs and border crossings are extremely well controlled.  Another major shift is that Israel is very much a first world country, for the first time in two weeks I told people that they can drink the tap water without fear of "Pharoah's revenge".

This morning we are taking everyone up to the top of Mount Tabor - the mount of transfiguration - and then if all goes according to plan, we will take them to Armegedon before heading in to stay with the Sisters of Nazareth for the night.  The Sisters have had a long presence in Nazareth, and are know for their work among disabled children.  After spending tonight in Nazareth, we will have a leisurely time at Caeserea Maritima.  Caeserea is the site of the only known inscription mentioning Pilate, and besides, it has a great beach, which will be much appreciated after the desert and inland heat.