Ashdod - Fall of Dagon

Ashdod is an ancient Philistine city, the pride of the civilization of Dagon's admirers and the last refuge of the non-afflicted Nephilim. Today, from those mysterious creatures, there was nothing left (fake and false photoshops of supposedly giant skeletons do not count). Picturesque ruins on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea are the remnants of a medieval citadel of Arab rule. But written sources shed light on the events that took place here thousands of years ago.

Masada - The Fortress of Heroes

 "as they hope for in getting us under their power, let us leave them an example which shall at once cause their astonishment at our death, and their admiration of our hardiness therein" 
...  Those others were nine hundred and sixty in number, the women and children being withal included in that computation. This calamitous slaughter was made on the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus [Nisan]..
 (Flavius Josephus "War of the Jews")

Now remember what Jesus warned 40 years before these events:
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains... 
Gospel of Luke

BETHLEHEM - Milk Grotto

Bethlehem, Milk Grotto (Grotto of the Lady Mary)

That's a new day has come ..?

Kyiv, July 27, 2012


 Orthodox procession on the day of arrival Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow
the song "That's a new day has come"
by Andrew Lukashina and Sergey Saveliev
video: GoPro HD HERO 2

Bulgaria: Testament of a monk

Testament of a monk


Rila Monastery.

John of Rila (876-946) was a monk and hermit who lived for twelve years alone, among the wild beasts, in the caves and in the hollow of a tree. He later settled in the depths of the mountains Rilski. But over time, people still found it. They came to John with their concerns, and he prayed for them, healing the sick, casting out evil spirits and teaching spiritual instruction for right living. So the monk appeared followers - disciples, who founded the Rila Monastery 

Shortly before the death of John of Rila wrote to his disciples, "Testament", in which he called to store the holy faith and avoid the false and wicked doctrines..
Abstain from worldly interests carefully and always remember why you came out of the world, and why you have ignored all worldly.

John said that the love of money is the root of all evil and idolatry.
Because for the hermit is not wealth in gold and silver, but in abject poverty, the rejection of svovevoliya, and in deep humility.
John emphasizes that it is not his commandments, and Christ, who said to his disciples, and through them to all those who renounced the world:

Do not possess neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
(Matthew 10)

John assured that God will never leave us, in hardships, but will give everything you need for life. But the devil, wanting to destroy our soul, will do its best to tempt us.

 For from the beginning, when I came into this wilderness, the cunning enemy tried to tempt me pious king sent me a lot of gold. For God's sake, I refused to see him, because I knew it Thu machinations of Satan. I did not take, but sent it to those who sent him, because I thought, "If I wanted to have gold and silver things, and the like, why would I come to this terrible and impenetrable wilderness, where I do not found the people, but only the wild beasts? So I saved myself from the machinations of the crafty adversary...

John encourages students to unity, to the love between them, and warns against attempts to rise above the other.

who wants to be the first to be last of all and servant of all. (Gospel of Mark, 9)

John, who was educated at the monastic life and read in Greek works of the Holy Fathers, tells the teacher Ephrem the Syrian (IV century):

...if all you wish for power and start to dominate, and all want to be in charge, and all - teachers, as well as legislators and teachers, and between you increase competition, quarrels, disputes, jealousy, gossip, arrogance, jealousy, and other passions, you know, that Christ is not among you, for Christ is not a teacher of discord and dissension, but of peace and unity. 
Those who sow discord, strife and temptations, the ascetic izganyat commands from their collections so they do not cause more damage to everyone.

Finally John advises Bart learn more works of the Holy Fathers, and comply with established rules of the Church, as well as to promote new converts to increase faith and help them to get rid of pagan rituals, obscene and evil customs, they hold even after the adoption of the holy faith. Because they do it out of ignorance, because it is necessary to bring it to them.

Fully read "Testament John of Rila" here (in Bulgarian) 

Bulgaria: Nessebar

Nessebar

Messemvria - a city on the island.
The ancient city founded by the Thracians Messemvria, a thousand years BC It is located on poluvostrove length less than a kilometer. Since it connects the mainland through a narrow isthmus. Since ancient times, it was a significant port and trading center on the Black Sea. After 500 years the Greeks colonized the peninsula, and in the 72 th BC - Romans, after which the city for a long time has lost its meaning.

Since the beginning of our era, the city is mentioned in the legend of Penelope, the daughter of Macedonian (Thracian) king Licinius. Even as a child, she learned about the teachings of Christ from his teacher Apeliana, and when she grew up, it was baptized by Timothy - disciple of the Apostle Paul. Since then, it became known as Irene. Irina's mother gladly accepted the good news from his daughter, but her father began to demand the worship of pagan gods. Irina refused than Licinius very irritated, but eventually was called and he and three thousand of his subordinates. And Irina began to preach the gospel and in other cities of Thrace, visited it and Messemvria. From her sermon addressed approximately ten thousand people. Lord, through Irina healed the sick and performed miracles, and it is not just to get rid of persecution.

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 - 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. 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. 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.

Egypt. Mount Sinai

It is the capital of Egypt, Cairo - a metropolis with 20 million inhabitants.
Somewhere here two thousand years ago, Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus, lived for a while to escape the persecution of Herod:




...an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: 
Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee, 
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. 
... After the death of Herod, - 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. Matt. 2: 13-20

Unfortunately, I was not able to get into the church, erected "on the spot", only saw her from afar, from the bus window.

The first light of dawn on Mount Moses (Mount Sinai). 

For this spectacle pilgrims start climbing at 2am.

This happens only at dawn, when the weather is nice.

With the weather we're out of luck - there was snow, thunder with lightning, ice on the steps and the piercing wind. In general - a real test.
The Bedouins say that the weather here happens once every three years.

From the mountain of Moses with the first rays of the sun shadow falls on the nearest hill, leaving a clear silhouette

Modern scholars dispute the historicity of the Sinai, where I was, and indicate a very different mountain, closer to Israel, in Saudi Arabia. 

The Apostle Paul also shows that the mountain of Moses is found in Arabia:

... For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, because with her children in bondage. Galatians 4:25

At the top of Mount Sinai is now a small monastery.
And at the foot of the mountain - the monastery of St. Catherine - possibly the first Christian monastery. In it is "stored" Burning Bush. There's also - well Moses.

Somewhere in here "bred" the first Christian hermits.

In the crevices of the local rocks huddled Anthony - one of the first known Christian hermit - ascetics.

Pyramid, which, according to some danym built including and the Jews who are in bondage.

Little remains of its former greatness. 

Pigeons have found refuge in him, bringing with them at least some life