Post 4 Day 2 Day well spent at Nazareth

After an early morning Visit to the Basilica of Annunciation, we had a sudden switch from a cold morning to a bright sunny day ahead.

Located on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee; this is where Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes. He is said to have fed 5000 men, women and children.We proceeded to the Church of Beatitudes.

Excerpt from the bible

“Near there on a mountain is the cave to which the Saviour climbed and spoke to the Beatitudes."

We walk through a garden overlooking the Sea of Galilee to the church of beatitudes.

The modern church was built between 1936 and 1938 near the site of the fourth century Byzantine ruins. The floor plan is octagonal, the eight sides representing the eight Beatitudes. The dome of the church was gold plated. Many communities from all over the world came and offered prayers and conducted the holy mass.

It was a point of excitement visiting the places where Jesus lived most of his life preaching and performing miracles.

In front of the church are mosaic symbols on the pavement representing Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance, Faith, Hope, and Charity.

The biggest teachings of beatitudes preached by Christ then on the of the hills is as stated below

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
• Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
• Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
• Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
• Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Dome of Church of Beatitude

Diamonds in the water

Sea of Galilee

The feeling of looking at the Sea of Galilee from top of the hill was enthralling.

This is where Jesus stood and addressed the crowd. I was standing at the exact same spot and I could feel the power (which was more or less a blood rush to my head and beyond) and I could visualize the multitude.

The Sea of Galilee is a freshwater lake where Jesus spoke to his disciples. The freshwater sea is called Sea and not a Lake because of the undercurrents. We climbed down the hill and walked towards the banks of the Sea of Galilee. I splashed water around and also secretly tasted the crystal clear water of this lake Isn't it human tendency to touch and then believe? It was like a silvery moving mirror reflecting the colour of the deep blue sky. Excerpt from the bible As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). He said to them, "Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people." They left their nets immediately and followed him. Going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. Then he called them. They immediately left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus stood at the shore of the Sea of Galilee and spoke to Simon and Andrew. I just sat in silence, a feeling of peace setting in.

We also went to Capernaum (City of Jesus) to see the ruins of an old monastery. The ruin of St. Peter’s house has a church built on top of it. St. Peter built a large 2 room dome shaped house carved entirely out of rock. The hole in the roof is still visible from where the paralytic man had been let through to be healed by Jesus.

The church of multiplication had a single olive tree inside the courtyard of the church and had lighting of only candles and stain glass. The church of multiplication was also called the Bread and fish church.

Church of Mulitiplication

Inside the Church of Multiplication

Old Monastery

St. Peters House

candles

Olives of the Tree

Oil Press

What was collective to all the churches in this area were its towering limestone structures, olive trees, mosaic paintings and the lotus symbol.

After an eventful historic morning we had the most anticipated lunch of the Entire trip at the shore of Sea of Galilee. Keep Guessing