Walk and explore ancient places from the days of Jesus.

At Mount of Beatitudes, Jesus delivered Sermon on the Mount. This event occurred after John baptized Jesus at the Jordan River. From Mount of Beatitudes, it is possible to pick up the Jesus Trail pilgrimage route which connects Mount of Beatitudes to other significant and sacred sites from the life of Jesus.

Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. [From the Lord’s Prayer as spoken atop Mount of Beatitudes]

Sail on the Sea of Galilee in a replica of the wood boat from the time of Jesus. Jesus set sail on the Sea of Galilee and preached at the towns along the shores. The Sea of Galilee is where Jesus met the fishermen Peter and Andrew and said:

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. [from Book of Matthew 4:19]

Walk the same paths as Peter and Paul. Explore the ancient ruins of Caesarea, the port built by Herod the Great and follow in the footsteps of the Apostles, Peter and Paul. It was in Caesarea that Paul baptized Cornelius, the first time a baptism was conferred on a Gentile. Caesarea is also where Paul – newly converted from Judaism – fled to from Jerusalem. It is from Caesarea that Paul sailed to Tarsus. [From the Acts of the Apostles.]

Celebrate Christmas in Nazareth and pray Midnight Mass at the Church of Annunciation. Nazareth, with Mary’s Well, Joseph’s Workshop, Church of Annunciation, Basilica among the many shrines to Christianity, is a center of Christian pilgrimage. In the New Testament, Luke 1:26, Nazareth is described as a town of Galilee and the home of Mary. Besides the Christian significance of Nazareth, this hilltop Galilee town is a mecca for foodies. Sumptuous Arab and Middle-Eastern delicacies can be found in the open air market of the Old City.

Pray where the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes happened, at Tabgha, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, as written in Mark 6:41-44.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.

And he [Jesus] sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. [Matthew 15:39]. Thought to be the home of Mary Magdelene, the site of Magdala on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, is the site of an ancient synagogue where Jesus preached. The site is mentioned in the Jewish Talmud yet has strong Christian roots as well. The ongoing archaeology dig keeps bringing amazing artifacts to light.

Immerse in holy waters – the waters of the River Jordan, at the spot where John baptized Jesus. Centuries earlier, at the same spot, the Israelites entered the Promised Land, and Elijah the Prophet ascended to Heaven. Qasr El Yahud is a site of significance for Christians and Jews. Situated at a narrow part of the Jordan River where Israel and Jordan are only a few meters apart. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. [Mark 3:13]

Walk the ancient route along the Via Dolorosa – Way of Suffering – and follow the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. The winding route, along cobblestone streets, starts at the Lions’ Gate in the Muslim Quarter – where Antonia Fortress once stood – and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. There are nine stations along the route, and five more stations within the Church of Holy Sepulchre. The Fifth Station is pictured at left.

Light a candle, send prayers to the Heavens at the Church of Holy Sepulcher in the Old City of Jerusalem, the site where Jesus was crucified.

Jesus said, You are the light of the world. A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead it is put on a lamp stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do and praise your Father in heaven. [Matthew 5:14-16]

At the Upper room, also known as the Cenacle, Jesus shared a meal  – the Last Supper – with the Twelve Apostles, the day before he died. The Cenacle is located in the compound of David’s Tomb on Mount Zion outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. Other events described in the New Testament took place at the Cenacle such as the washing of the disciples’ feet, and the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples on Pentacost.

The Garden Tomb is considered by Protestants and Evangelical Christians to be the final burial place and resurrection of Jesus. Located near the Damascus Gate into the Old City of Jerusalem, the Garden Tomb is a site of pilgrimage, gathering and worship for Christians on a Holy Land journey.

The Gardens of Gethsemane, the site where Jesus prayed and his disciples slept under the olive trees the day before the crucifixion, are located on the Mount of Olives. Gethsemane overlooks the gold domes of the Temple Mount. The word Gethsemane translates to “oil press” referring to the olive trees and the oil that was pressed from the fruit. The ancient olive trees at the Garden of Gethsemane, under the Mount of Olives, witnessed the prayers of Jesus and the Disciples centuries ago.

Enter the Church of Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Calvary or Golgotha. Believed to be the site where Jesus was crucified.

And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull. [Matthew 27:33]

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. [Mark 15:22]

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. [Luke 23:33]

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha [John 19:17]

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is located over the cave marking the birthplace of Jesus. The original structure was commissioned by Constantine the Great and his mother, Helena, in the year 327. That structure was destroyed two hundred years later and replaced by the current structure. Over the centuries, additions were made. The site, located in Palestine, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The murals in the interior of the Church of Nativity have been uncovered in recent years by Italian restoration artists. The highly colorful and ancient murals depict scenes in the life of Jesus.

The Church of All Nations, also known as Basilica of the Agony, situated next to the Garden of Gethsemane, on the Mount of Olives, is recognized by the stunning mural on the building facade. Designed by Italian architect Berluzzi, the same architect who designed the church at Mount of Beatitudes in the Galilee, nations from around the world donated building funds. The rose colored stone of the exterior comes from Bethlehem, and the interior stone comes from Lifta in Jerusalem. In the innermost chambers,part of the bedrock said to be where Jesus prayed before his arrest, can be seen.

Located in the hills of the Lower Galilee in northern Israel, the Franciscan Wedding Church at Kafr Kanna is the site where Jesus turned water into wine. Couples from around the world come to the beautiful church to renew wedding vows – often in groups, but also for individual couples. By prior arrangement only, a Roman Catholic priest administers the vows. Often a reception with wine – of course – and light food is served after the ceremony.

Hike along the same Galilee routes that Jesus traversed in his youth. Cross from the Lower Galilee to the Sea of Galilee. Hike along routes from Nazareth to Capernaum and Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee. Walk through the village of Kafr Kanna where the Wedding Church is situated. Pass through the village of Arbel where  the ruins of an ancient synagogue that Jesus preached in can be viewed.

An ancient fishing village dating to the time of Peter, now an archaeology site, on the shores of Sea of Galilee. Jesus came to Bethsaida with his disciples to rest. Bethsaida is thought to be the site where Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves of bread and two fish.

On their return the apostles told Jesus[a] all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida [Luke 9:10]

Situated along the Jordan River Valley, Qasr El Yahud – literally translated as Palace of the Jews – this is the site where the Jesus was baptized by John. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.  And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” [Matthew 3:13-17]

Jericho, the oldest city, lies on the road to the Dead Sea, in the Judean desert. Enter Jericho to ride the cable car to the top of Mount of Temptation. Jesus was tempted by the devil – thought to be at this site. A Greek Orthodox monastery is located halfway to the top.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. [Matthew 4:8].

Fishing village on the shores of Sea of Galilee, and ancient synagogue where Jesus preached. Capernaum is cited in four books of the New Testament.

 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, [Matthew 4:13].

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. [Mark 1:21].

He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'” [Luke 4:23].

After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days. [John 2:12].