Nazareth and Galilee (Israel)...



I spent time today in the area in which Jesus lived (see map above; stars are locations I visited). 

I learned so much today about this area of Israel, and I gained clarity in my understanding of the Christian religion. 

Here are a few of my photos from today's tour.

 

 

The day started with a drive through the Jezre'el Valley to Nazareth.  That's the Church of the Annunciation.
 

The door to the Church of the Annunciation provides scenes in the life of Jesus.  This church is on top of the site where Mary lived and where she received Gabriel's message regarding her being with child.

 

This Franciscan church is dedicated to Mary, and here's the statue that's outside the church.



These are the ruins that were from Mary's times within the church.

It's a beautiful church (Church of Annunciation), but it is of modern design.  The structure is of concrete.

There are many copies of paintings/sculptures submitted of Mary.  Here's the submission from Japan.

This is the submission from Canada.

This was the submission from the United States.  It reflects the times (the 1970s) in which it was submitted.

We moved to the Church of Joseph which was next door in Nazareth.  It was built on top of the area in which Joseph had his carpentry shop.

This is a picture of the Sea Galilee which isn't really a sea.  The Sea of Galilee is actually a fresh water lake.

Here I am at "sea level."  The Sea of Galilee is in the background down the hill.  It is below sea level.

This is the Yardenit Baptismal Site on the Jordan River.  You can be baptized in the Jordan River like Jesus at this site.

Here I am standing at one of the Baptismal areas on the Jordan River.

This verse is repeated throughout the site, but in many different languages.



This was Passover Week for Jews.  The Sea of Galilee (especially the town of Tiberias) was crowded with campers and those finding time for recreation during this holiday week.

We went to the church celebrating the Sermon on the Mount.  The guide (a secular Jew) read to us from the sermon at the amphitheater outside the Mount of the Beatitudes Church. 

This sculpture recreates the casting of demons from a person into swine.  It's at the Church of the Beatitudes.

 

Here's a picture of the Mount of Beatitudes Church.  It's at the base of the hill and on the Sea of Galilee.

The clear waters of the Sea of Galilee are pictured here.  The "sea" is actually a freshwater lake.

The grounds of the Church of the Primacy by the Sea of Galilee and the city of Capernaum.

A statute of St. Peter that overlooks the Sea of Galilee in Capernaum.

The ruins of St. Peter's village in Capernaum.

Another view of the ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum.  The home of St. Peter was next door to this building.

You can see the ruins, and the Church of Peter's Primacy extend over the ruins.

Here's the interior of the 1970s style Franciscan Church of Peter's Primacy.  You can see the ruins below the church. 

The mountains overlook the city of Haifa.  Here's a look from the top of the mountain.  That's our ship (ms Amsterdam) in the port.



Another view of Haifa from the Gardens of the Bahá'í Temple and Gardens.