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THE SEA OF GALILEE
The Sea of Galilee is referred in the Bible as the Sea of Chinnereth or Chinneroth, Gennesar, Lake of Gennesaret, and Sea of Tiberias, a name that has survived in the modern Arabic "Bohayrat Tabareyya." It was here that Jesus is said to have met Simon Peter, James and John, his first disciples, and it was here that Jesus performed miracles such as stilling the raging storm that was about to swamp their boat, walking on the stormy water to his disciples, preaching the Sermon of the Mount, and performing the miracle of the draught of fish.
SITES
On the Way: Bet Shean/Bisan Town in the Jordan River valley, located some 90 m below sea level in a fertile farming region. Archaeological excavations have traced settlements on the site back to the Bronze Age. The modern Bet Shean was established in 1949 by Israeli settlers. Archaeological finds include temples of the Canaanite Bronze Age, a Hellenistic-Roman temple, and a Byzantine monastery.
Sea of Galilee The lake lies roughly 212 m below the level of the Mediterranean, the 2nd lowest point on the earth's surface after the Dead Sea. It is 21 km long and 13 km at its greatest width, with a circumference of 53 km, and up to 48 m deep.
Tabgha Tabgha, the traditional site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes, is situated near the northeastern shore of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), 2.5 kilometers south of Capernaum, and some 12 kilometers north of Tiberias. The name "Tabgha" is an Arabic contraction of the Greek Heptapegon (the place of seven springs). Several springs still flow in this area, which is also associated with the teaching of the Beatitudes and the confirmation of the primacy of Peter. At the time of Jesus, Tabgha was a prosperous fishing village located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Near the lake’s shores, Jesus fed 5,000 men, women and children from the miraculous multiplication of five loaves of bread and two fish (The miracle of the Loaves and the Fishes). A Byzantine mosaic displaying this act is preserved under a modern church today.
Capernaum The site of the ancient fishing village of Capernaum (Heb. Kfar Nahum, the Village of Nahum) is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee), 2.5 kilometers northeast of Tabgha, and some 15 kilometers north of Tiberias. The town is first mentioned in the New Testament, where it figures prominently in the Gospel narratives as the place where Jesus lived during much of his ministry in the Galilee. It was here, according to the New Testament, that he "cured many who were suffering from diseases," and also "cast out many devils" in those possessed.
TIBERIAS
Tiberias, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, is 2,000 years old, constructed by Herod Antipas around the year 20. The city was dedicated to the Roman Caesar Tiberius, therefore the name. Today Tiberias is one of Israel's most popular resorts, both because it is situated on the Sea of Galilee and because it is adjacent to the famous hot springs of Tiberias.
NAZARETH
Nestled in the embrace of protective hills, the once insignificant village is today home to Nazareth was the home of Mary and Joseph according to the gospels and the place where Jesus spent most of his youth and commenced his ministry. Today, Nazareth is the largest Arab city in Israel - home to some 60,000 Christian and Muslim inhabitants – and houses numerous religious sites.
SITES
Basilica of the Annunciation The Basilica is the largest Christian sanctuary in the Middle East, maintained by the Franciscan Order; it was dedicated in 1964 by Pope Paul VI during his historic visit to the Holy Land, and consecrated on 23 March 1969. It consists of two levels: the lower church contains the grotto which, tradition holds, was the home of Mary and the Site of the Annunciation, along with remnants of churches from the Crusader and Byzantine eras.
Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangel Gabriel Church built over the freshwater spring known as "Marys Well".
Greek Catholic "Synagogue Church" Assumed site of the synagogue where the young Jesus was taught, and where he later read from Isaiah
Franciscan Church of St. Joseph Church built over a cave identified since the 17th century as the "workshop" of Joseph.
Al-Abyad Mosque Oldest mosque in the city, located to the north of the Basilica of the Annunciation, built in 1812.
Tomb of Maqam Shihab Eddin Tomb of the Muslim leader Shihab Eddin, whi was the nephew of Salah Eddin (Saladin), located 100 meters south of the Basilica of the Annunciation. |
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