ISRAEL

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

The Holy Land ... Still it's called "The Promised Land" - the land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants. It is also the birthplace of our Savior - Jesus Christ.

ISRAEL. Jerusalem - from Zion to the Temple Mount

The Wailing Wall


Zion. The coffin of King David. Zion Gate. Wailing Wall.
2000 years have passed since he came to earth the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
2000 years, there is His Church and the Gospel of Him preached to all nations.
But many of his own people did not accept their Messiah then. Soon, the Temple was destroyed, as well as the whole of Jerusalem, and several centuries in its place erected a Muslim mosque.

Leaving only a small section of the wall adjacent to the Temple. Today, it has become a place of weeping, a place of prayer of the Jews awaiting the coming of the Messiah and the rebuilding of the Temple.

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen who never hold their peace day nor night. Oh, ye that make mention of the Lord! no rest, - 
give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
 Isaiah 62

ISRAEL. Jerusalem - on the Mount Zion

Mount Zion


Church "Mary of Zion", the Room of the Last Supper, the Room of the descent of the Holy Spirit.

After the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples another 40 days and finally commanded them not to diverge from Jerusalem, but to expect fulfillment of the promise of the Father. And then ascended.
Because the students continued to meet every day in the upper room.
And after ten days the Jews had to celebrate Shavuot - Pentecost and fruits. It was one of the three main temple prazdnkov in Israel. Shavuot means "seven weeks" potmou what exactly seven weeks after the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, the Lord appeared to Moyse on Mount Sinai and gave him commandments, the Torah.
Like every year, in those days in Jerusalem were many pilgrims - from all over Judea, as well as other areas in the coordinate lived scattered Israelites:

Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians ... Acts of the Apostles 2

But this time, the incredible happened. In the upper room with the apostles of Christ and his mother Mary Eogo were gathered together and the other disciples, vseogo approximately 120 people. Suddenly there arose a great noise and wind:

...And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts of the Apostles, 2

What were these languages​​? I have listed above, how many different aliens was expected that day in Jerusalem. So each of them he heard the familiar language of the country where he came from!
It was incredible, because all the disciples of Jesus, who had gathered in the upper room, came from Galilee and could not know so many different languages ​​and dialects. So on the day of Pentecost, God fulfilled the promise given in the Old Testament:

And afterward, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons shall prophesy, and your daughters; your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon - in the blood, before the coming of the day of the Lord, the great and terrible. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Joel 2

And the Holy Spirit came upon a large crowd of students and performed their heavenly forces. Apostles and disciples of Christ began to do many miracles, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and prophesied. Church was born and began to grow rapidly.

ISRAEL. Jerusalem - from the Holy Sepulchre to the Chapel of the Ascension

He is risen!

Temple of the Holy Sepulchre, Mount Olives, Chapel of the Ascension.
Christ's death stunned his students and delighted his enemies. Followers, thus ending their disappointed hopes for the coming of the King of the Jews and the Redeemer of Israel, began to disperse from Jerusalem to their homes. But the Pharisees and the chief priests feared even after the death of Christ, remembering the prophecy of the resurrection in three days. Because they turned to Pontius Pilate, who ordered to guard the tomb in which they buried the body of Jesus.

Now after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it; His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men; But the angel said to the women, he said, do not be afraid, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified He is not here - he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay, and go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee; there shall ye see him. Behold, I have told you. 
Matthew 28
Thus began a new era in which life defeated death, when the love of God is the salvation of the people, when the Son of God is risen! He became our Passover, the deliverance from sin and eternal death. And everyone who believes in Jesus will not perish, but have eternal life.

ISRAEL. Jerusalem: Dolorosa - the path to Calvary

Dolorosa


Street on which Jesus were crucified.

After his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus suffered bullying, humiliation and false accusations before Sinedrinom, before the Jewish King Herod and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. He was sentenced to death, and led to the crucifixion of the street Dolorosa.

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, who was walking off the field, conferred on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem! weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children, because the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs, and breasts nursed! Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us! and to the hills, 'Cover us! For if in the green tree is done, then it would be dry? 
Luke 23

Each day, hundreds of pilgrims pass through this street, repeating the sad path of the Savior on Golgotha. As well as two thousand years ago, Dolorosa crowded, there is rampant trade and worth the noise of the crowd. But at the end of the path, on Calvary, where now stands the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre, if we are alone with the inevitability of death throes, which has undergone in the last hours of Jesus before his death on the cross. 

 

ISRAEL. Jerusalem - Church of All Nations

Church of All Nations


Located next to Gethsemane Park

Passion of the Christ - this topic excited and forced to experience all generations of Christians. Great artists such as El Greco, Titian, Rubens and Rembrandt, tried to recreate the passionate event on his canvases. Famous works of the outstanding composer Johann Sebastian Bach - "St. Matthew Passion" and "St. John Passion". In 2004, Vishal film by American director and actor Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ", which deeply impressed millions of viewers around the world.
The first footage of this film takes us back to the Garden of Gethsemane:

...Jesus went with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples. Knew the place, and Judas, who betrayed him, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went out and said to them: Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them: I am stood with them, and Judas, who betrayed him. And when he said to them: I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Again he asked them: Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am he; Now therefore, if ye seek me, let these go, it might be fulfilled the word which was spoken unto them, Out of those whom thou hast given me, I have lost none. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. But Jesus said to Peter: Put up thy sword into the sheath; shall I not drink the cup which the Father has given me? Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, and led him away ... 
John, 18

And in the early 20th century, after the end of World War 12 states have donated money for the construction of the Church of All Nations. Construction finished in 1924.
Basilica of belonging to the Franciscan Order, is situated next to the Gethsemane garden. Before its altar is a stone on which, according to tradition, Jesus prayed on the night when Judas betrayed him. Because in this temple is always twilight, because those early events occurred at night. On the ceiling you can see the coats of arms of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

ISRAEL. Jerusalem - Garden of Gethsemane

Garden of Gethsemane


Here began the Passion of Christ

After the Holy Supper, when the traitor Judas had already left to give his Master to those who sought his death, Jesus and the other students went to the Mount of Olives to pray.

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father! oh, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground .. 
Luke 22
It was here in the Garden of Gethsemane, among olive trees, some of which have survived to our time, Jesus seized the temple guards and taken to the high priest. Here he experienced betrayal and the last time before the crucifixion was with his disciples.

ISRAEL. Jerusalem - Church of "Our Father"

Отче наш

Church of "Our Father" on the Mount of Olives.

Jesus loved to pray. For prayer, he walked away from the crowd and routine and climbed into the mountains, where they could be alone and indulge in communion with God. The Gospel of Luke tells us that when the day Jesus taught in the Temple, the night he prayed. Once on the Mount of Olives, after another prayer, the disciples asked him to teach them to pray, just as John the Baptist taught his disciples. Jesus answered them:


When you pray, say: 
Our Father, who art in heaven! 
Hallowed be thy name; 
Thy kingdom come; 
Thy will be done 
and on earth as it is in heaven; 
our daily bread 
Give us each day; 
and forgive us our sins, 
for we also forgive 
everyone indebted to us; 
And lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil. 

Luke 11

On the Mount of Olives is clearly seen ancient Jerusalem, and at the bottom, on its slopes, is the Garden of Gethsemane. And in the place where Jesus gave the disciples a model prayer, the church was built Pater Noster.

The history of its origin is related to the Italian Aurelio De Bossi, who lived in the 19th century. She was a cousin of Napoleon III, Princess de la Tour de Auvergne. Aurelia lived a life of luxury ladies of light, was married three times, was fond of different kinds of art. But now Aurelia found solace in prayer "Our Father", which she considered the greatest revelation of Jesus to all people. That's why semnadtsat years of his life devoted princess search "the same place" on the Mount of Olives. As a result, she was lucky: excavations have revealed an ancient grotto that Aurelia declared place of the Lord's prayer. She also provided and the construction of the church, and then handed it to the ownership of the Catholic Order of Carmelites.

Now, on the walls and in the galleries of the monastery Pater Noster posted the prayer "Our Father" in almost all the languages ​​of the world. I found there, and Ukrainian, Russian, and even ... Old Church Slavonic.

ISRAEL. Jerusalem: The first acquaintance

Иерусалим

Golden City.

The first time I came to Jerusalem in the evening. With Arab hotel on the Mount of Olives, we went to the modern part of the city. It was a Saturday, the sun was setting and the day of rest (Sabbath, which lasts from sunset to sunset) is about to have ended. Because there were not many people, and all the shops and cafes just ready to open.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy; Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day - Saturday the Lord thy God: thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. 
Exodus 20

I was immediately surprised that the modern neighborhoods of Jerusalem, a little different from most of the big cities in the world. Cozy alleys, benches in the shade of small trees neat, welcoming coffee shops and restaurants, the bright windows of boutiques - all spacecraft and elsewhere in Europe, Asia or any other continent. But we went through the narrow streets close to the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre, as all around was to change rapidly, as if we were flying in antiquity to a time machine. Even the people around were different, because most of them were the same as we do - foreigners, tourists or pilgrims who came from afar to the Holy Land.

Jerusalem more than 3,500 years. In the Bible, it was first mentioned under the name Salem (Shalem)

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan; And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus; 
and back all the goods and Lot, his kinsman, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. When he returned from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Chaves, now that the royal valley; And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine - and he was priest of God Most High ... 
Genesis 14
For a thousand years BC King David captured this Canaanite city and made ​​it the capital of Israel. His son Solomon built the first temple there. But in the 5th century BC it was destroyed by the Babylonians. After returning from the Babylonian captivity, the Jews rebuilt the Temple. He stood until 70 AD when the Romans destroyed the Temple, not only, but also the entire city.

Later built on the site of ancient Jerusalem is almost completely buried it beneath them. Modern excavations have shown that the remains of the ancient streets are at a depth of 10-15 meters.

ISRAEL. Bethany: the resurrection of Lazarus

Bethany


In this town, Jesus raised Lazarus.

Story that happened here two thousand years ago, was unique even for contemporaries of Jesus who has seen a lot of miracles of God through Him. After Jesus raised not just only that the deceased person, and Lazarus, whose body lay for four days already in the grave, because no one had any doubts in the death of the deceased. Remember how it was:

Certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, of the village where they lived Mary and her sister Martha. 
Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was the one who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick. 
When Jesus heard that, said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God may be glorified through it the Son of God. Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days in the place where he was. After that, said to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. The disciples said to him, Rabbi, , the Jews sought to stone thee, and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? who walks by day will not stumble, because he sees the light of this world; as he walks by night that he stumbles, because the light is not in him. 
Having said this, said to them, then: Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I'm going to wake him up. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that he meant natural sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead; And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe; but let us go to him. Then Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his disciples, Let us go and we may die with him. Jesus came, he found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; But Mary sat at home. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord! if you had been here, would not have died my brother. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give you. 
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise. Martha saith unto him, I know he would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Do you believe this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. Having said this, she went and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Teacher is here and is calling for you. As soon as she heard that, she got up and went to him. Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her ​​in the house, and comforted her, seeing that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb - to weep there. Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord! if you had been here, would not have died my brother. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled 
And said, Where have ye laid him? They say unto him, Lord! Come and see. Jesus wept. 
Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him. And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Sister of the deceased, Martha saith unto him, Lord, already stinks; For four days in the grave.
Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? 
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father! I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that you always hear me; but said this for the people standing here, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. Having said this, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus! come forth. And the dead man came out, bound hand and foot with strips of linen, and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. John, 11

According to the subsequent legends, after the resurrection of Lazarus lived another thirty years. He became a disciple of Christ and served as a bishop in Cyprus.

ISRAEL. Galilee: a country of fishermen

Galilee


The Sea of ​​Galilee, Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha.
Continue the journey through Galilee, the northern part of Israel.
Returning from the desert after forty days of fasting, Jesus dwelt in Capernaum and began to preach throughout the country of Galilee:

And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, the seaside, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, The land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness, saw a great light, and sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 4

The Lord chose him first disciples of fishermen, fished on Galileyskom sea. This freshwater lake, giving water to the whole of Israel, also known as Tiberias or Kineret.

It is located in the Galilee Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the famous Sermon on the Mount. Its beginning - the Beatitudes:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you and otherwise unjustly evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted, [and] the prophets who were before you. 
Matthew 5

Preaching the cities of Galilee, Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead and performed many other miracles. One of them is done in the area Tabgha on the northwest coast of the Sea of ​​Galilee:

And he came out, he saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion on them and healed their sick. When it was evening, there came to him the disciples, and said, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. They say unto him, We have here but five loaves and two fish. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they all ate and were filled; and they took up the fragments that remained twelve baskets full; Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14



This glorious event is reminiscent of the 4th century mosaic in the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves. And in the courtyard of the church there is a small pool with vivid fish. All this seems to be saying to us, no matter how much you eat the food, energy and health: Jesus can multiply all of this, so that you butet have it more abundantly. It is the image of eternal life.

ISRAEL. Caesarea: kings and prophets

Caesarea


The city of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Mount Tabor

Caesarea - the city, so named by King Herod in honor of the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus. The first settlement here was founded by the Phoenicians still, in the 3rd century. BC Having mastered the city, Herod turned it into a powerful trading center and port. Here lived one of the first seven deacons - Philip. From here, the Apostle Paul, shackled, on trial in Rome. The king wanted to personally hear Agripa Paul to decide what to do with it. But the apostle and the court did not attempt to defend themselves, but turned to God's word to the king of Judah:

Would you believe that King Agrippa, the prophets? I know that you believe. 
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuade me to become a Christian. 
Paul said, I would to God, in a little and in much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, were such as I am, except these bonds ... Acts of the Apostles, 26

Caesarea now lies in ruins, partly submerged by the sea. North is Haifa - the third largest city in Israel, with a large port and industrial concentration. It is located on the slopes of Mount Carmel (Vineyard of God). Name corresponds to the historical truth: on the slopes have long grown grapes from which the wine is fine. But now the vineyards are much smaller - they cut down the Turks during the Ottoman rule.
Mount Carmel is known as the history of the "genocide" of the prophets of Baal, which seeks God's prophet Elijah for 850 years BC .:

And Elijah said unto the people, I am one, remain a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are four hundred fifty people. 
let them give us two bulls, and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under; 
Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord my God. The god who answers by fire, He is God. And all the people answered and said, okay. 
And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock and dress it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under. 
And they took the bullock which was given them, and dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us! But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 
At noon Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; maybe he thought, or busy with something, or on the road, and perhaps he is asleep wake up! 
And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 
Midday passed, and they prophesied until the time of sacrifice; but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor hearing. 
Then Elijah said to all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came to him. He repaired the altar of the Lord. 
And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the Lord, saying, Israel shall be thy name. 
And he built with the stones an altar in the name of the Lord, and made trench around the altar large enough to hold two measures of seed 
and he put the wood, and cut the bullock, and put it on the wood, 
and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood. Then he said again. And they repeated. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time, 
The water ran down around the altar and filled the trench. 
During the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came and said, Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel Let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am thy servant, and did everything according to your word. 
Hear me, O Lord, hear me! This people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 
And fire came down the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 
Seeing this, all the people fell on their faces and said the Lord is God, the Lord is God! 
And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal, that none of them escape. And seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there ... 3 Kings 18

So 450 prophets of Baal were put to death on the mountain, and the Israelis refused to worship pagan gods. Now here are the monastery and church of "Maria Stella" of the Carmelite Order as well as the tomb of the founder of the Baha'i Universalist neoreligii - Baba, which is built around a lush garden.
Do come again Ilya, to repeat the trial of infidels?

To the east of Mount Carmel is Galileo - a historical region in northern Israel. It is the birthplace of all the apostles of Christ, and the land where Jesus preached and revealed the most miracles. One of them took place on Mount Tabor:
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 
And he was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 
And Peter said to Jesus, Lord, good for us to be here; if you want, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses and one for Elijah. 
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him. Matthew 17

This event showed the closest disciples of Christ, the Son of God far above all those who revered the Jews to this day.

ISRAEL. Cana first miracle

Cana of Galilee


Here Jesus performed his first miracle: turning water into wine.

Kahn (Galilee) struck me as very funny, truly a city wedding, if there every day and only do what they are celebrating someone's wedding. At every step you offer to buy sweet wedding wine and a variety of related souvenirs at the first miracle.
In the days of Christ's earthly life, this city was more than Nazareth, whence came the wedding of Jesus and his mother Mary. I recall that after his baptism in the Jordan and the 40-day fast, beating the devil's temptations, Jesus returned home to Nazareth in the power of the Spirit. But the first time it was showed it at the wedding at Cana:

On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus said to her that to me and you, woman? has not yet come my hour. His mother said to the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. Now there were six stone jars were standing there on the Jewish rites of purification, can accommodate two or three steps. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the jars with water. And they filled them up to the top. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, - and he did not know where this wine was known only to the servants which drew the water - then called the bridegroom and said to him: Every man at the good wine first, and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; and you kept the good wine until now. So put signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed in Him. The Gospel of John, chapter 2

I wonder what it was for the wine and how it tastes? Probably heavenly varieties! Local merchants offer guests Cana purchase ecclesiastical red wine 12 years of aging or a delicious dessert pomegranate wine.

But drawing attention to this, no doubt, fine drinks, they distract from the main meaning of the miracle: Jesus is Life. He is the source of eternal life. Just as he turned water into wine, the Savior is able to change and our lives, bring it to the eternal, heavenly sense!

ISRAEL. Dead Sea at the site of Sodom and Gomorrah

Dead Sea

Salt lake on the site of Sodom and Gomorrah

For many generations of Sodom and Gomorrah have become symbols of extreme depravity, sexual perversion and insatiable lust. 4000 years ago, these two cities were powerful and prosperous.
The men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD. Genesis, Chapter 13
But nothing could save them from God's punishment. Fire and brimstone from heaven, burning them completely, leaving no trace of its former greatness:
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and grew upon the ground. Genesis, Chapter 19

Features of burning sulfur - ultra-high temperature at which burns almost everything, even the stone and metals. Therefore it is not surprising that in place of Sodom and Gomorrah, there was nothing left but ashes. Over time, plain, located well below the level of the World Ocean, filled waters of the Jordan and in the place of the great cities of the Dead Sea was formed. Due to the extreme salinity in it nothing can live. However, our contemporaries discovered the healing properties of minerals from the Dead Sea, on the basis of which are now made ​​popular recreational cosmetics. But taking care of bodily health, we should not forget the lesson of God's drama, who witnessed the certainty and severity of retribution for sins:
Just as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it poured from the sky rain fire and brimstone, and destroyed them all; so shall it be in the day when the Son of Man will be
 the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 17

Jesus Christ, who said it, He gives us hope and salvation from death:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The Gospel of John, Chapter 3

ISRAEL. Jericho the oldest city in the world?

Jericho 


The oldest city in the world. mountain Temptations.

After the death of Moses the campaign of the Israeli people into the Promised Land, Joshua led. They crossed the Jordan and the first city, which was on the way to the goal, was an ancient Jericho. Its walls schitalis impregnable, but God commanded the Israelites to march around the walls around seven days. A seventh day - and even seven times. Then a miracle happened:
The people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. As soon as people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a loud voice, and the city wall fell down flat, and the people went to the city, each with his hand, and took the city. The book of Joshua, chapter 6
This happened 3500 years ago. And in the early twentieth century, archaeologists have unearthed an ancient city, even found the remains of a ruined wall, and found that this city - the oldest of all known science. It existed as early as 3-4 millennia BC

Now fast forward to the Gospel times.
When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, and when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry for last. And the tempter came to him and said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made ​​bread. And he answering said unto him, It is written: I do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written: give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again: do not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 4

According to legend, the mountain, which is mentioned in the Gospels - Mountain Temptations - a mountain Karantal near Jericho. On the mountain was built an Orthodox monastery. From it really offers a wonderful view.

Climbing this mountain under the scorching sun, I lost so much moisture, which then has not been able to quench their thirst. On the mountain, in aid of the pilgrims, the Greek monks prudently oholazhdayut water and give it to all thirsty. But how hard it was for Jesus, as he was walking in the desert and fasted for 40 days?

ISRAEL. Jordan: baptismal river

Jordan


River, where Jesus was baptized by John.

The Jordan River flows from north to the south of Israel, where it joins the Dead Sea. When the twelve tribes of Israel shared the Promised Land, the three of them have received their inheritance on the east bank of the Jordan.
Many biblical events associated with this river. Its waters parted before the ark of the covenant, when the Israelis after a 40-year journey through the desert were in a land flowing with milk and honey.
Here occurred the Gospel events: John the Baptist preaches repentance and baptizing in the Jordan River:

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized by him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? But Jesus answered him, Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water - and, lo, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 3

So for the first time Jesus Christ was revealed to the people of Israel.

ISRAEL. Milk Grotto: Escape to Egypt

Milk Grotto


- holy family stayed here on the way to Egypt.
Ancient legends preserved history to stop the Holy Family in the cave on the way to Egypt. And when Mary nursed Jesus, a drop of milk fell on the stone, which was as white as chalk. Through this belief in the Milk Grotto started coming infertile women, loss of Mary about the baby.
But how is it that the Holy Family went to Egypt? In our time, this trip would not have surprised anyone: from Israel to Egypt to go to relax easier than of Kyiv in the Crimea. But two thousand years ago, Egypt was not the world resort. Powerful country of the pharaohs and slaves was not very welcoming to outsiders. The people of Israel knew about it from our own history - 430 years, they were slaves in Egypt. And to the Jewish family to decide on such a journey, they had a very good reason. What caused them to leave their home and go through the desert, in which once the Israelis went 40 years before they arrived in the Promised land of God? Learned about this from the Gospel of Matthew:
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, Magi came to Jerusalem from the east and say where that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him. Upon hearing this, King Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 
And he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born? And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet: 
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are not least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who upaset my people Israel. 
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them what time the star appeared, and he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the child, and when you find it, let me know, so that I may come and worship him. They had heard the king, they departed. And lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy, and went into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed another way into their own country. 
When they were gone, - an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. He got up, took the child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent and slew all the male children in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, The voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and weeping, and great; Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are not. Upon the death of Herod, - behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother and go to the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child. 
He got up, took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: but in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

So, escape to Egypt was forced, in order to preserve the life of Jesus. But if you compare the texts of Matthew and Luke, the question arises of what the city hit the road, Joseph and Mary? Of Bethlehem or Nazareth? In fact, according to the Gospel of Luke, shortly after the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the Holy Family returned to Nazareth - a city where they came to Bethlehem only census:
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And if a trip to Egypt began in Nazareth, then stop in Bethlehem, where Herod ordered the destruction of infants under two years old, looks out of place. More on this - in future articles.

ISRAEL. Bethlehem: the city of David

Bethlehem

city ​​in kortorye Jesus was born. Grotto in the field of the shepherds, the Church of the Nativity...

Bethlehem - an ancient city on the west bank of the Jordan, near Jerusalem. In the days of the patriarch Jacob was called Efrafa - there buried his wife Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. It was about 2000 years before the birth of Christ.
Later, the city that has survived to this day - Beit Lehem - means House of Bread.
There was also born shepherdesses David, whom God chose as king of Israel, and from whom it was promised by the prophets, must be born Christ, the Savior of the world:

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet? out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from everlasting. Therefore will he give them until the time will not give birth has given birth; then return to the children of Israel and the rest of his brothers. And He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God, and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. Micah, chapter 5

This prophecy was fulfilled in Bethlehem about 2000 years ago:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census in all the earth. This was the first census Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. While they were there, the time she should be delivered; 
and gave birth to her firstborn son, and swaddled him, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. 
In the country were on the field shepherds who kept watch by night over their flock. 
Lo, the angel of the Lord, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. 
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people: 
For unto you is born in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord; 
and this is the sign: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! 
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that happened, which the Lord has told us. And came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. When he saw and told that it was told them concerning this child. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it was told. And when eight days were fulfilled to circumcise the child, gave him the name Jesus, named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The Gospel of Luke, chapter 2

In 336, at the direction of the Roman Emperor Constantine on the site of the birth of Jesus built Church of the Nativity. In 529, the temple was burned during posstaniya Samaritans, over time it was restored by the Emperor Justinian, and later more than once suffered from earthquakes and fires.

ISRAEL. Ein Karem: Mary and Elizabeth

 Ein Karem

Hometown of John the Baptist. Here met Mary Elizabeth.

Ein Karem is translated as "source in the vineyard." This village is located not far from Jerusalem. Family lived there the priest Zacharias, was the birthplace of John the Baptist:

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, a priest from Avievoy chreda named Zacharias, and his wife of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. They had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. Once when he was in the order of their Zacharias stood before God, by lot, as the custom of the priesthood, he went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense, and the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense, - there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. And the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and shalt call his name John; And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord; will not drink wine or strong drink, and the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb; and many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God; And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, so that the Lord a people prepared. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years. The angel said to him: I am Gabriel, who stand before God, and am sent to speak unto thee, and thee these glad tidings; and, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be, for the fact that you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their time. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple. He came out, he could not speak to them; and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he signs to them and remained speechless. And when the day ended his service, he returned to his house. After these days Elizabeth conceived, his wife, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the LORD unto me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. 
The Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, 5-25

This amazing story reminded me of another - when God promised Abram a son childless. The promise was fulfilled when Abram was already 100 years old!

So, Elizabeth was pregnant when she came to Mary, who is also expecting a child.
   And Mary arose in those days, and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed, because accomplished told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, he hath regarded the humility of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth will call me all kinds; that made ​​me great, and holy is his name; And his mercy is from generation to generation to those who fear him; He hath shewed strength with his arm; scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts; He hath put down the mighty from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; filled the hungry with good things, and let bogatyaschihsya with nothing; Israel took his servant, in remembrance of his mercy, as he said to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to his house.
The Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, 39-56

John the Baptist had received from God a very important service: prepare the way of the Lord, because at the time of the Savior's birth Jews lost faith, and were burdened with enslavement. They were looking for liberation from earthly bondage, but God wanted to prepare their hearts for deliverance from sin.

ISRAEL. Nazareth: the beginning of history

Nazareth

The city in which the angel appeared to the Virgin Mary, and in which Jesus grew up

The name "Nazareth" I first heard in the school years, when, and to the Soviet audience has come a wave of Fame rock band of the same name. A little later, I learned that it turns out the band's name comes from a town in Israel. In those days (late 70's - early 80's) in Ukraine, as well as throughout the Soviet Union dominated atheism, so few people knew the content of the gospel.
However, in the Bible we do not find too many news of Nazareth - the first time it is mentioned only in the New Testament, in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John:

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, favored one! The Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, was troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God; and, behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom will have no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? The angel answered her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. So Elizabeth, thy cousin who was called barren, and she conceived a son in her old age, and it is the sixth month, for with God nothing will be impossible word. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And departed from her Angel. Evangelie Luke 1: 26-38

So nachinaetsya embodiment of the history of salvation of the world, which God had promised our first parents, Adam and Eve (but that is another story).



Today Nazareth - a city where he lives with respect to many Christians (30%), ethnic Arabs. Located in the north of Israel. Only in this city Sunday - the official day off, in contrast to the whole country, which rests only on Saturdays. In 1969 there was built a magnificent Church of the Annunciation. Next to it - the house of Joseph and Mary, as well as a synagogue in which Jesus read Isaiah present Jews.

Demre - city of Santa Claus

St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) was a real person, a bishop of Lycia. He lived at the end of III - beginning of IV century.





Demre (Myra) - the city where he is buried - is in Turkey, on the Mediterranean coast.
Here in 60 AD Paul founded one of the first Christian communities (churches).