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Archeological Itineraries (7) Day 1: From Jaffa to the Sea of Galilee
Jaffa – where St. Peter had his vision on the rooftop of the House of Simon the
tanner (Acts 10:32), raised Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:36); Jonah set sail
to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3) and King Solomon built his port (2 Chron. 2:16) on the
Mediterranean. Caesarea – the magnificent ruins of Herod’s showcase port city
continue the story of St. Peter, with his conversion of Cornelius’ household (Acts
10:24). Caesarea is also the scene of St. Paul’s imprisonment (Acts 23:35), his
appearance before King Agrippa and his departure for Rome (Acts 25:13-26:32).
It figures centrally in the history of early Christianity as home to the Church
father Eusebius. The Carmelite Monastery of Mukhraka – where Elijah called down
fire from Heaven (1 Kings 18:19-39). After this miracle, a great drought
ended with the appearance of a small cloud over the sea (1 Kings 18:44), a pre-figuring
of St. Mary. Acre – called Ptolemais when St. Paul visited it (Acts 21:7), a gem
of the medieval world, with its Knights Halls, fishermen’s port, Turkish Bath
Museum, bazaar and ramparts overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Possible venues
for Mass: Church of St. Peter in Jaffa, Carmelite Monastery of Mukhraka; Franciscan
Church in Acre. Day 2: Around the Sea of Galilee and Caesarea Philippi
A boat-ride across the Sea of Galilee in a wooden vessel reminiscent of Jesus’
day. The Ancient Galilee Boat – a wooden vessel dating back to the days of Jesus
in a fascinating display. Mount of Beatitudes – where Jesus preached the Sermon
on the Mount (Matt. 5), and one of many sites where Pope Paul VI and Pope John
Paul II prayed. The Tabha Benedictine Monastery Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes
– the site of the feeding of the 5,000 (Matt. 14:13-21). Church of the Primacy
of Peter – site of the miraculous catch of fish (John 21:6), where Jesus appeared
to the disciples after the Resurrection (John 21:7), and of St. Peter’s reconciliation
to Jesus (John 21:15-19). Capernaum – scene of many miracles and teachings, and
known as Jesus’ “own town” (Matt. 9:1), including: The House of St. Peter – (Mark
1:29) and the Memorial of St. Peter. The Ancient Synagogue – built over the site
where Jesus preached (Mark 1:21). Caesarea Philippi (Banias) – at the headwaters
of the Jordan, where Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men say that I am” (Mark
8:27) and gave St. Peter the keys to Heaven (Matt. 16:19). Banias also
features the ruins of temples built by Herod and his son Philip (Luke 3:1), and
a thundering waterfall. Tiberias – built by Herod Antipas (Luke 13:31) during
Jesus’ ministry, Tiberias is the contemporary capital of the Sea of Galilee, with
many reminders of Bible days. Possible venues for Mass: Mount of Beatitudes; Church
of the Multiplication at Tabgha; Peter’s Primacy; Memorial of St. Peter in Capernaum;
outdoors at Bethsaida; St. Peter’s Church in Tiberias. Day 3: From Armageddon
to Nazareth Megiddo – with ramparts, temples, dwellings and a water system that
made it one of the greatest cities of the ancient Near East, Megiddo became a
regional capital of King Solomon (1 Kings 9:15), and is the New Testament’s Armageddon
(Rev. 16:16). Mount Tabor – crowned by the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration
with its brilliant mosaics, this mountain is also the scene of gathering of the
forces of Barak and Deborah (Judges 4:6). Nain – a charming church graces this
picturesque village where Jesus raised the widow’s son from the dead (Luke 7:11-15).
Cana – on the outskirts of Nazareth, here Jesus performed the first miracle, changing
water into wine (John 2:1-11), with the Wedding Church and the Church of Nathanael
(John 21:2). Nazareth – beautiful churches now grace Jesus’ boyhood home,
including Mensa Christi in an old residential quarter, the Synagogue Church in
the market, St. Gabriel’s Church over the ancient spring, the Church of St. Joseph,
and the jewel in the crown, the Basilica of the Annunciation, with its magnificent
representations of Mary from around the world. Possible venues for Mass: the Basilica
of the Annunciation, the Church of St. Joseph, Cana, Mount Tabor, Nain. Day
4: Jerusalem – The Mount of Olives and Mount Zion Mount of Olives –a magnificent
vantage point of the Holy City, with many important churches marking biblical
sites, including: Paternoster – where Jesus taught the Our Father prayer (Luke
11:1-4). The Dome of the Ascension – the site where Jesus ascended to Heaven
(Acts 1:11). Bethphage – where Jesus began the triumphal entrance to Jerusalem
on Palm Sunday (Luke 19:29). Dominus Flevit – where Jesus wept over Jerusalem
(Luke 19:41). The Garden of Gethsemane – with its ancient olive trees where Jesus
was arrested (John 18:1-12), next to the Church of All Nations, named for the
contributions made by Catholics from around the world. The church overlooks the
Kidron Valley (John 18:1), and is also known as the Basilica of the Agony, as
here Jesus sweated blood in fervent prayer (Luke 22:44). Mount Zion, including:
St. Peter in Gallicantu – with its beautiful mosaics and bronze statuary, built
over the ruins of the house of Caiphas (Matt. 26:57), the stone pit where tradition
says Jesus was held, and the Sacred Staircase, which for centuries has led here
from the Kidron Valley. The Coenaculum – or Room of the Last Supper, built over
the site of where Jesus and the disciples celebrated the first Eucharist (Mark
14:24). Dormition Abbey – marking the site of the Dormition of Mary, where Mary
was taken up to Heaven. Possible venues for Mass: Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit,
Church of All Nations, or the Dormition Abbey; St. Peter in Gallicantu, Bethphage.
Day 5: Jerusalem – the Via Dolorosa and Ein Karem Via Dolorosa – following
the Stations of the Cross from the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Sisters
of Zion Convent, through the streets of Old Jerusalem to the Judgment Gate and
the Tomb of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Pools of Bethesda – where
Jesus healed a paralytic (John 5:2). Church of St. Anne – built over the home
of Anne and Joachim, the parents of Mary. Ein Karem – the “city of Judah” (Luke
1:39), which was birthplace of John the Baptist, including: Church of the Visitation
– where Mary met Elizabeth and uttered the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Church of
St. John – where John the Baptist was born. Possible venues for Mass: The Franciscan
Chapel in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher; the Church of the Visitation; the
Church of St. John. Day 6: Through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea
The Judean wilderness – where John the Baptist preached (Matt. 3:1) and where
Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights (Matt. 4:2). Inn of the Good Samaritan – traditional
site of Jesus’ parable (Luke 10:30-37). Qumran – where the Dead Sea Scrolls where
discovered. Massada – the dramatic mountain fortress built by Herod the Great
where the Jews made their last stand against the Romans in the Great Revolt. The
Dead Sea – The lowest, saltiest body of water on earth; the Salt Sea, or Eastern
Sea of the Bible (Josh. 15:5; Ezek. 47:18). Possible venue for Mass: Open-air
at Qumran. Day 7: Jerusalem – From the Old City to the New The Maronite
Catholic Church – near the Jaffa Gate, with a wonderful view of Jerusalem from
the roof. The Convent of Akeldama– where Judas died, in the Valley of Hinnom (Acts
1:18-19). The City of David – the most ancient part of the Holy City (2 Sam. 5:7).
The Pool of Siloam – where Jesus healed a blind man (John 9:7). Shrine of the
Book – in the Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Model of Jerusalem
– the famed 1:50 model of the way the Holy City looked in Jesus’ day. | 
