Monday, June 11, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
So Much Stuff
Hey there's a lot of stuff in here I haven't wrote about. So I figure I'll go chronologically. All the way to the finish. The last bit was written a bit later so... maybe I got it right chronologically.
We had a simulation of the Last Supper where I learned likely they were leaning sideways around a tri couched table. It's possible that Jesus celebrated the passover early according to one interpretation of the gospels.
I also performed in a wonderful choir for the Christmas program. It was awesome - so many awesome pieces were sung. I was also in a trio playing Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring (Eliza, and Scott played wonderfully). Also I was in a men's quartet which was awesome (Kaleb, Jeff, Adam and myself).
During our sites visited this week we had interlaced throughout it all a wonderful series of devotionals. We began where Christ did during his Final week in Bethany. We then went into a nice Church there in Bethany. We went seemingly around and to the side of where you would expect to get inside the church. There was an awesome garden at this site. Next was Lazarus' tomb where I gave the devotional on Christ knowing each of our names and comparing Lazarus' coming forth as our resurrection. As you go in the tomb there are several steps leading down to a room and then a slight tunnel to another room which is supposed to be the tomb of Lazarus.
Next we went to a church which commemorates Palm Sunday. It had paintings on all the walls as opposed to many mediums used in most churches. Following this and going out of the chronology of the whole week was the site commemorating Christ teaching the mysteries of the kingdom to his apostles after his resurrection. It was called Pater Noster and had a small cave wherein it was said the mysteries were given.
Next was the church named Dominus Flevit (The Lord's Weeping) - inside there was a mosiac of a hen gathering her chickens. I've been there before because it was close to the Jerusalem Center and on top of that free. It has a great view of the Dome of the Rock. We went next to the Orson Hyde park to review Christ's Olivet Discourse. Finally we went to a Crusader Church which remembers the event of the Last Supper. We sang some hymns there and fellow tourists joined into the singing.
And so with the formal guided tour over I went to the Dormition Abbey. It was nice and had some great mosaics I especially like one of Christ alone. Down below is a tomb looking thing with a ornamented top to look like Mary. So this Church commemorates Mary and I guess is thought to be one of the possible burial places for her. Then we just walked around a bit it was fun
Ein Kerem
This was the next day and a free day - man was this day lived out to it's fullest! We rode a bus to a bird watching location and despite the lack of any birds to release (if they have them you can physically release them). It was fun to see some of the birds and understand more about the compound there right by the Knesset. We then walked to Ein Kerem - of course that's more easily said than done. We never did get lost but we did decide to take a detour through a national forest and halfway through realized that the times weren't going to work out. So we ran up hoping there was an unmarked exit. There was an exit - basically it led straight to Mt Hertzl where I had been before. I didn't realize that's where we were. Anyway it worked out because we were led straight to the street we needed. We saw a tower we suspected of being the correct church. Sure enough it was! St John the Baptist Church there in that city has a grotto and star just like the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem for Christ. Super awesome church I loved it. At the top of the dome there was a dove which was cool. Next we went to a chocolate shop where the salesmen told us some directions on how to get places and let us in on a secret which we definitely would not have found otherwise. So that was nice. We checked out Mary's Spring Mosque which had a small fountain there but if you go behind the Mosque climb up to a fenced in area and then find and uncover a water well looking structure you can climb down inside to the real Mary's spring. It reminded me of Hezekiah's Tunnel except it was just a small cavern. We had very little light down there but it was fun. We stepped on the stones we could feel There was just the room at the bottom of the long metal ladder and another slightly separated room and a smallish one we couldn't reach because we couldn't reach it without getting out shoes wet.
After some deliberation some of us bought some pizza and we split up more or less. I was of the group which stayed and we had a bit of a time getting to the hospital and the acclaimed Chagall windows. We went down this dirt road and ended up on the highway and basically went around the hospital and then there was an obvious gateway to the hospital. Turns out the first section we went to was the shopping mall place. But finding the Chagall windows was a cinch once we were in and they were beautiful (12 pieces of art 1 for each tribe of Israel). We found the upper entrance to a convent where we did want to go inside. It's golden domed tops (reminiscent of Russian Orthodox style) were awesome to behold. After a brief misunderstanding as to whether we could actually get inside we were walking unguided through the convent. This series of homes for the residence of the clergy and among them this garden provided a impressive scene. We found the walls of the golden domed church and spent some time there. It was really amazing to be there. As we were heading toward a downward path in the monastery we saw another cathedral where we could go inside - we heard nuns signing - It was truly beautiful to hear. The trip out of the convent was actually pretty hilarious - We found the only bottom exit. It clearly would get us back basically to where we were at the start of this whole Ein Kerem Trip. But it was locked. And any attempt to climb over the wall at that point seemed suicidal. It was clear to the entire group that going back the way we came was not an option because that way literally took us hours. So we walked around trying to find any alternative. Well we found a still pretty suicidal option of trying to see if we could fit through a small hole in the barbed wire fence and down a pretty good jump down a wall. During our initial movements to put this plan into action a sweet young nun found us. She was really nice and lead us with a key down to the bottom door and let us out. It was super funny and I am eternally grateful to that nun - probably saved us all from some very bad decisions we were about to make.
Anyway we next went to the Church of the Visitation a site which commemorates Mary's visit to Elizabeth traditionally held to be right there on Mary's Spring. It had a tower which sadly is structurally unsound but we did go inside this chapel like area. and then as we went around and inside the cathedral it was awesome how the painted motifs all around lighted up the room. There is a particularly large picture of Mary as the mother of Christ symbolically place among the stars to show she was the mother of God in the flesh. Some of the paintings there I didn't have a reference for what they were about - I assume they had something catholic in their background. Then after we left that place we began our trek back. A quick taxi to the jelly doughnut place then another taxi back home ended a wonderful day!
------------------------------------------------------------
The time is short left in Jerusalem now so I try to make the best of it. This one last field trip remained. We went first to the Basilica near the Garden of Gethsemane which commemorates the lords suffering there. I saw an Irish symbol on one of the mosiacs in there. And I saw United States Eagle motif inside one of the domes -- the reason being that many nations combined the necessary funds to build this chapel. The whole chapel is kept in a reverant dimness to symbolize the weight placed upon our lord in this place. Outside is a gated garden of olive trees attempting to recreate a Garden of Gethsemane experience. Just outside the complex is a private garden which had more landscaping and a more peaceful atmosphere -- I had walked here many times to sit and contemplate. Now we held one final meeting as a group in that private garden, there were hymns sung and testimonies given.
A short van ride over to a different part of town lead us to "St. Peter in Gallicantu" the place held to be the place where is the palace of Caiaphas where Jesus was held in prison and Peter denied the Christ 3 times. From the outside looking at the chapel I was confused as to what they were trying to do with the dome. I didn't see that it was stained glass. So inside provided a magnificent stained glass work looking up at the dome. Down a series of steps inside the church you can see an additional room and rooms of the church as well as a couple of caves you can go inside to really get a feel for the prison rooms of this place. There are ruins outside and you'll see a roped off stairwell - those stairs are without a doubt the ones Jesus would have been dragged up after his arrest in Gethsemane. Near the church there is also an excellent scale model of Byzantine Jerusalem - it was very cool to look at.
We then walked into the old city to see our final sites for the day. In a series we saw some churches dealing with Christ last hours. The Church of Flagellation commemorates Christ suffering in that he was mocked and harmed by both Jew and Roman. The style of stain glass moved me. I liked their presentation of this event of the Savior life. The Scriptures show the parrallel of Jews harm and Roman harm to Jesus. Our professors explained to us that the argument over who's fault it is that Jesus was crucified is a moot point. It is easy to see that it was Jesus' choice whether or not to make this sacrifice for sin - But ours is the sin. Each of us has and will sin in this life and it is "our fault" that he was crucified.
Next and very close to that church is the Church of the Condemnation I remember some woodwork statues of Christ placed as if they were reliefs off the wall. And I remember looking up to the peaked cones of the inner spires of that church. Naturally we had testimonies in each of these.
We next went to the place where earlier in Christ's like he healed a lame man by the troubled waters. It was interesting for me to go here because I had done an archaeological history paper on this very site. So obviously I could write a lot about this site. I'll not post my paper here - but I would do my research on this site (which includes St Annes) before I visited it if I were you. I went to this site before I did my paper and afterward and the first was concluded with some very wrong ideas about what the site is all about. I would recommend if you go to see the map on site situated like a billboard and then to believe what you see. These two pools of Bathesda are enormous. You can only see one corner of one of the pools (only because they made a stairway near St Annes) despite the rather large and complicated site you CAN see the miracle Christ performed could have been anywhere along this pool. Like most sites there is both Byzantine and Crusader remains of churches here. If you go down and inside you can see roman expansion and arches of the pool structure. Also back when there was only one pool there 2 awesome events of the old testament happened right on the pools edges (ask me about it if you want to know). Next was St Annes a place known for its acoustics. It is situated right beside the ruins of the Pool of Bethesda. It honors the mother of Mary the mother of Jesus whose name is Anne. That's all I've got to say about that.
Next we went to the Protestant Garden Tomb (Catholics as I explained hold to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as the correct location) But I would highly recommend going to both sites. Because even if the Protestant site is not 'correct' it certainly retains a clearer picture of the tomb. In their presentation here at the Garden Tomb which I received at the beginning of my tour here in the Holy Land they emphasized worshiping the Person not the places of Jesus. I think that was well spoken. The rest of the class mates and I sang and sang more hymns. It was wonderful.
Winding things up here we had a final free day in the old city which was actually an awesome day. We did many things but they are kindof a blur now looking back. I'm pretty sure there was shopping involved at one point. Then we spent some time at a Children's recreational center just playing tag with some of the kids there which was a fun time. Actually it was an awesome time - especially after being beaten to a pulp by a little kid who was way better than me at ping pong. These kids went all out trying to get me in tag and I was trying to keep it playful and fun between us. They didn't speak English and I don't speak Arabic but that didn't detract at all. Tag is a pretty simply game and does not require words -- Ha! They were sending their fastest kid at me. Or at times everyone was it and tried to get me. I was just trying to get them to laugh so I like jumped over fences and stuff to avoid them. Good times. Some Old City treats were eaten and we headed back to the Center.
That night Brother Huntsman our professor (whose book you see for purchase here and he has more out I think) put on an Christmas Advent Program lighting all the candles because we weren't going to be in the Holy Land for Christmas. I'm not going to lie the program was long when I was told it was going to be short so I wasn't allowed the mental preparation of a long event. But I loved it enough I didn't fall asleep for sure. There were many personal stories shared - scriptures read - musical performances given - and testimonies given. I played the melody of a hymn on my cello for it. It was simply wonderful.
Much packing was done and then we were on a Jet plane flying home. There was a band of us going through all the way together to Portland. In a stroke of irony we did have a connecting flight in Pheonix which was funny. But our band got to the northwest with no problems.
A Great Time - Wonderful Experience - Always in My Heart - I'll Remember the Good Time Forever!
We had a simulation of the Last Supper where I learned likely they were leaning sideways around a tri couched table. It's possible that Jesus celebrated the passover early according to one interpretation of the gospels.
I also performed in a wonderful choir for the Christmas program. It was awesome - so many awesome pieces were sung. I was also in a trio playing Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring (Eliza, and Scott played wonderfully). Also I was in a men's quartet which was awesome (Kaleb, Jeff, Adam and myself).
During our sites visited this week we had interlaced throughout it all a wonderful series of devotionals. We began where Christ did during his Final week in Bethany. We then went into a nice Church there in Bethany. We went seemingly around and to the side of where you would expect to get inside the church. There was an awesome garden at this site. Next was Lazarus' tomb where I gave the devotional on Christ knowing each of our names and comparing Lazarus' coming forth as our resurrection. As you go in the tomb there are several steps leading down to a room and then a slight tunnel to another room which is supposed to be the tomb of Lazarus.
Next we went to a church which commemorates Palm Sunday. It had paintings on all the walls as opposed to many mediums used in most churches. Following this and going out of the chronology of the whole week was the site commemorating Christ teaching the mysteries of the kingdom to his apostles after his resurrection. It was called Pater Noster and had a small cave wherein it was said the mysteries were given.
Next was the church named Dominus Flevit (The Lord's Weeping) - inside there was a mosiac of a hen gathering her chickens. I've been there before because it was close to the Jerusalem Center and on top of that free. It has a great view of the Dome of the Rock. We went next to the Orson Hyde park to review Christ's Olivet Discourse. Finally we went to a Crusader Church which remembers the event of the Last Supper. We sang some hymns there and fellow tourists joined into the singing.
And so with the formal guided tour over I went to the Dormition Abbey. It was nice and had some great mosaics I especially like one of Christ alone. Down below is a tomb looking thing with a ornamented top to look like Mary. So this Church commemorates Mary and I guess is thought to be one of the possible burial places for her. Then we just walked around a bit it was fun
Ein Kerem
This was the next day and a free day - man was this day lived out to it's fullest! We rode a bus to a bird watching location and despite the lack of any birds to release (if they have them you can physically release them). It was fun to see some of the birds and understand more about the compound there right by the Knesset. We then walked to Ein Kerem - of course that's more easily said than done. We never did get lost but we did decide to take a detour through a national forest and halfway through realized that the times weren't going to work out. So we ran up hoping there was an unmarked exit. There was an exit - basically it led straight to Mt Hertzl where I had been before. I didn't realize that's where we were. Anyway it worked out because we were led straight to the street we needed. We saw a tower we suspected of being the correct church. Sure enough it was! St John the Baptist Church there in that city has a grotto and star just like the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem for Christ. Super awesome church I loved it. At the top of the dome there was a dove which was cool. Next we went to a chocolate shop where the salesmen told us some directions on how to get places and let us in on a secret which we definitely would not have found otherwise. So that was nice. We checked out Mary's Spring Mosque which had a small fountain there but if you go behind the Mosque climb up to a fenced in area and then find and uncover a water well looking structure you can climb down inside to the real Mary's spring. It reminded me of Hezekiah's Tunnel except it was just a small cavern. We had very little light down there but it was fun. We stepped on the stones we could feel There was just the room at the bottom of the long metal ladder and another slightly separated room and a smallish one we couldn't reach because we couldn't reach it without getting out shoes wet.
After some deliberation some of us bought some pizza and we split up more or less. I was of the group which stayed and we had a bit of a time getting to the hospital and the acclaimed Chagall windows. We went down this dirt road and ended up on the highway and basically went around the hospital and then there was an obvious gateway to the hospital. Turns out the first section we went to was the shopping mall place. But finding the Chagall windows was a cinch once we were in and they were beautiful (12 pieces of art 1 for each tribe of Israel). We found the upper entrance to a convent where we did want to go inside. It's golden domed tops (reminiscent of Russian Orthodox style) were awesome to behold. After a brief misunderstanding as to whether we could actually get inside we were walking unguided through the convent. This series of homes for the residence of the clergy and among them this garden provided a impressive scene. We found the walls of the golden domed church and spent some time there. It was really amazing to be there. As we were heading toward a downward path in the monastery we saw another cathedral where we could go inside - we heard nuns signing - It was truly beautiful to hear. The trip out of the convent was actually pretty hilarious - We found the only bottom exit. It clearly would get us back basically to where we were at the start of this whole Ein Kerem Trip. But it was locked. And any attempt to climb over the wall at that point seemed suicidal. It was clear to the entire group that going back the way we came was not an option because that way literally took us hours. So we walked around trying to find any alternative. Well we found a still pretty suicidal option of trying to see if we could fit through a small hole in the barbed wire fence and down a pretty good jump down a wall. During our initial movements to put this plan into action a sweet young nun found us. She was really nice and lead us with a key down to the bottom door and let us out. It was super funny and I am eternally grateful to that nun - probably saved us all from some very bad decisions we were about to make.
Anyway we next went to the Church of the Visitation a site which commemorates Mary's visit to Elizabeth traditionally held to be right there on Mary's Spring. It had a tower which sadly is structurally unsound but we did go inside this chapel like area. and then as we went around and inside the cathedral it was awesome how the painted motifs all around lighted up the room. There is a particularly large picture of Mary as the mother of Christ symbolically place among the stars to show she was the mother of God in the flesh. Some of the paintings there I didn't have a reference for what they were about - I assume they had something catholic in their background. Then after we left that place we began our trek back. A quick taxi to the jelly doughnut place then another taxi back home ended a wonderful day!
------------------------------------------------------------
The time is short left in Jerusalem now so I try to make the best of it. This one last field trip remained. We went first to the Basilica near the Garden of Gethsemane which commemorates the lords suffering there. I saw an Irish symbol on one of the mosiacs in there. And I saw United States Eagle motif inside one of the domes -- the reason being that many nations combined the necessary funds to build this chapel. The whole chapel is kept in a reverant dimness to symbolize the weight placed upon our lord in this place. Outside is a gated garden of olive trees attempting to recreate a Garden of Gethsemane experience. Just outside the complex is a private garden which had more landscaping and a more peaceful atmosphere -- I had walked here many times to sit and contemplate. Now we held one final meeting as a group in that private garden, there were hymns sung and testimonies given.
A short van ride over to a different part of town lead us to "St. Peter in Gallicantu" the place held to be the place where is the palace of Caiaphas where Jesus was held in prison and Peter denied the Christ 3 times. From the outside looking at the chapel I was confused as to what they were trying to do with the dome. I didn't see that it was stained glass. So inside provided a magnificent stained glass work looking up at the dome. Down a series of steps inside the church you can see an additional room and rooms of the church as well as a couple of caves you can go inside to really get a feel for the prison rooms of this place. There are ruins outside and you'll see a roped off stairwell - those stairs are without a doubt the ones Jesus would have been dragged up after his arrest in Gethsemane. Near the church there is also an excellent scale model of Byzantine Jerusalem - it was very cool to look at.
We then walked into the old city to see our final sites for the day. In a series we saw some churches dealing with Christ last hours. The Church of Flagellation commemorates Christ suffering in that he was mocked and harmed by both Jew and Roman. The style of stain glass moved me. I liked their presentation of this event of the Savior life. The Scriptures show the parrallel of Jews harm and Roman harm to Jesus. Our professors explained to us that the argument over who's fault it is that Jesus was crucified is a moot point. It is easy to see that it was Jesus' choice whether or not to make this sacrifice for sin - But ours is the sin. Each of us has and will sin in this life and it is "our fault" that he was crucified.
Next and very close to that church is the Church of the Condemnation I remember some woodwork statues of Christ placed as if they were reliefs off the wall. And I remember looking up to the peaked cones of the inner spires of that church. Naturally we had testimonies in each of these.
We next went to the place where earlier in Christ's like he healed a lame man by the troubled waters. It was interesting for me to go here because I had done an archaeological history paper on this very site. So obviously I could write a lot about this site. I'll not post my paper here - but I would do my research on this site (which includes St Annes) before I visited it if I were you. I went to this site before I did my paper and afterward and the first was concluded with some very wrong ideas about what the site is all about. I would recommend if you go to see the map on site situated like a billboard and then to believe what you see. These two pools of Bathesda are enormous. You can only see one corner of one of the pools (only because they made a stairway near St Annes) despite the rather large and complicated site you CAN see the miracle Christ performed could have been anywhere along this pool. Like most sites there is both Byzantine and Crusader remains of churches here. If you go down and inside you can see roman expansion and arches of the pool structure. Also back when there was only one pool there 2 awesome events of the old testament happened right on the pools edges (ask me about it if you want to know). Next was St Annes a place known for its acoustics. It is situated right beside the ruins of the Pool of Bethesda. It honors the mother of Mary the mother of Jesus whose name is Anne. That's all I've got to say about that.
Next we went to the Protestant Garden Tomb (Catholics as I explained hold to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as the correct location) But I would highly recommend going to both sites. Because even if the Protestant site is not 'correct' it certainly retains a clearer picture of the tomb. In their presentation here at the Garden Tomb which I received at the beginning of my tour here in the Holy Land they emphasized worshiping the Person not the places of Jesus. I think that was well spoken. The rest of the class mates and I sang and sang more hymns. It was wonderful.
Winding things up here we had a final free day in the old city which was actually an awesome day. We did many things but they are kindof a blur now looking back. I'm pretty sure there was shopping involved at one point. Then we spent some time at a Children's recreational center just playing tag with some of the kids there which was a fun time. Actually it was an awesome time - especially after being beaten to a pulp by a little kid who was way better than me at ping pong. These kids went all out trying to get me in tag and I was trying to keep it playful and fun between us. They didn't speak English and I don't speak Arabic but that didn't detract at all. Tag is a pretty simply game and does not require words -- Ha! They were sending their fastest kid at me. Or at times everyone was it and tried to get me. I was just trying to get them to laugh so I like jumped over fences and stuff to avoid them. Good times. Some Old City treats were eaten and we headed back to the Center.
That night Brother Huntsman our professor (whose book you see for purchase here and he has more out I think) put on an Christmas Advent Program lighting all the candles because we weren't going to be in the Holy Land for Christmas. I'm not going to lie the program was long when I was told it was going to be short so I wasn't allowed the mental preparation of a long event. But I loved it enough I didn't fall asleep for sure. There were many personal stories shared - scriptures read - musical performances given - and testimonies given. I played the melody of a hymn on my cello for it. It was simply wonderful.
Much packing was done and then we were on a Jet plane flying home. There was a band of us going through all the way together to Portland. In a stroke of irony we did have a connecting flight in Pheonix which was funny. But our band got to the northwest with no problems.
A Great Time - Wonderful Experience - Always in My Heart - I'll Remember the Good Time Forever!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Christian Sites - Then Post Second Temple Stuffs
Christian Jerusalem
We first went to a Franciscan church which had a nativity set up on the left as we first entered. It was a nice place with different colored marbles pillars. Of course like all Catholic or related branches it had the 14 stations of the cross on the sides (These). Our professor pointed out that the 1st of the 4 advent candles had been lit that previous Sunday (one candle for each Sunday till Christmas). An unconfirmed thing was said that Orson Hyde stayed at the hostel which is a part of this church. I asked a professor what was meant by a symbol I had scene at several of the churches we've been to. Turns out it was the Franciscan Crossed arm symbol - The Franciscans being the appointed Custodians of the Holy Land. So that was cool.
Next was a pretty cool experience actually. Mind you these are all within the Old City walls. All locations I'd walked by many times. This site was in a random door which I know I'd never thought to go inside. Our group went up and inside a small simple one room church. A Syrian women explained the long tradition she and many Syrian Christians have of holding to Aramaic the language which Christ likely spoke during his life. She sang the Lords prayer in Aramaic to us - it was amazing. This church had a downstairs room which was supposed to be the upper room of the last supper.
We went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre A sight I have been to on my own twice before we came here as a group. Though I did understand a bit more about the church from the guided tour. This church is built around where there used to be tombs and where there used to be a Rock thought to be Golgotha. Both are still there but they are substantially covered up by the church itself you see. The tomb where Christ is said to have laid was cut around and exposed so that it was more like a tomb room - then a grand church built around it (within the larger building). So it's hard to picture that there were tombs here etc. but I got a little more of a sense that its actually as likely as a spot for his crucifixion and burial as any other place. I just wish whoever built it had retained more of the actual layout rather than what they did. A different church we also went to preserves the remains of the gate which apparently is the one Christ may have gone through if we accept the Holy Sepulchre as the place of his burial.
Then finally for this day we went to a church to sing some hymns. There was a sweet garden area that was very lovely.
The next day we had the sweet experience of going to the Orson Hyde park and consecrating some oil for the healing of the sick. I learned that not just Orson but many apostles and prophets have been at that very spot. Very interesting stuff. Also I read part of the prayer that Orson had originally prayed there as recorded in a letter back to the Saints who were not yet in Utah.
Then Post Second Temple Stuffs
This happens to be our last full day field trip. Our first stop was Masada where a sect of Jews, the Sicarii - nasty bunch, during the Revolts took up their last stand and in a final battle with the Romans ultimately lost a horrible loss of the Romans breaking through their wall (which was thought impossible). This causes illogically those Jews to commit suicide rather than to become the slaves of those Romans. Apparently there is a movie of this battle and apparently it's a big deal but I sadly had not seen it. This entire city is on a plateau and that is why it was thought to be impenetrable. We went up to it not through the hike but instead took a gondala all the way up. Mine was the first group through and so at the top and around a corner we all pretended to be dead trying to imitate the scene the Romans must have seen coming and and finding all of these Jews dead. We went to Herod's palace at this location and it had some beautiful vistas. though there was really hardly anything left of the palace. I happened to see a byzantine church there and it was a pretty cool site.
Next was a wonderful experience in the dead sea. Listen it has more than salt in that water. In Madaba there is a ancient mosaic depicting happy fish near the Sea of Galilee but then a sad fish swimming away from the Dead Sea - perhaps a better name for the Sea would be the Sea of Death. Anyways I had a time using no effort to stay afloat. Sometimes I would freak out and think I needed to tread water for some reason but I totally didn't need to. You see you float no matter if you want to or not you can situate your body straight up and you will not sink - no movement necessary. It's hard to imagine. I look at the pictures I have of our group there and they're smiling for the picture and all. Truth is though they all are in absolute terror of getting the slightest bit of water in their eyes or mouth or anything else. Because the water literally hurts you if you do get it any of these places. I never would have associated the water in these pictures with pain before this experience. Anyway... if you're ever around the dead sea I would definitely recommend you take a dip. It was interesting for all its lack of enjoyableness. Haha
Next we went to a Nature preserve named En Gedi which was cool. it had lots of small waterfalls - I saw some Ibex and some more rock bunnies. There was this awesome waterfall at the end - super cool. But there on the left are some caves said to be the caves in which one of them Saul was hiding from david and had his skirt cut by him.
Finally we stopped at Qumran - an awesome site because of it's view of one of the caves where some of the scrolls were found. There was a short video at the beginning which mainly raised then shot down but left the argument opened about that John the Baptist might be associated with these Essennes. It's just a theory really and I don't know if it's true at all but to each their own. We saw where they copied tons of scripture and where they ate in total sacred silence. Also there were many mivkots all throughout that area so they could ritually purify themselves. Pretty awesome if you ask me. That was that. Have a good one ~
We first went to a Franciscan church which had a nativity set up on the left as we first entered. It was a nice place with different colored marbles pillars. Of course like all Catholic or related branches it had the 14 stations of the cross on the sides (These). Our professor pointed out that the 1st of the 4 advent candles had been lit that previous Sunday (one candle for each Sunday till Christmas). An unconfirmed thing was said that Orson Hyde stayed at the hostel which is a part of this church. I asked a professor what was meant by a symbol I had scene at several of the churches we've been to. Turns out it was the Franciscan Crossed arm symbol - The Franciscans being the appointed Custodians of the Holy Land. So that was cool.
Next was a pretty cool experience actually. Mind you these are all within the Old City walls. All locations I'd walked by many times. This site was in a random door which I know I'd never thought to go inside. Our group went up and inside a small simple one room church. A Syrian women explained the long tradition she and many Syrian Christians have of holding to Aramaic the language which Christ likely spoke during his life. She sang the Lords prayer in Aramaic to us - it was amazing. This church had a downstairs room which was supposed to be the upper room of the last supper.
We went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre A sight I have been to on my own twice before we came here as a group. Though I did understand a bit more about the church from the guided tour. This church is built around where there used to be tombs and where there used to be a Rock thought to be Golgotha. Both are still there but they are substantially covered up by the church itself you see. The tomb where Christ is said to have laid was cut around and exposed so that it was more like a tomb room - then a grand church built around it (within the larger building). So it's hard to picture that there were tombs here etc. but I got a little more of a sense that its actually as likely as a spot for his crucifixion and burial as any other place. I just wish whoever built it had retained more of the actual layout rather than what they did. A different church we also went to preserves the remains of the gate which apparently is the one Christ may have gone through if we accept the Holy Sepulchre as the place of his burial.
Then finally for this day we went to a church to sing some hymns. There was a sweet garden area that was very lovely.
The next day we had the sweet experience of going to the Orson Hyde park and consecrating some oil for the healing of the sick. I learned that not just Orson but many apostles and prophets have been at that very spot. Very interesting stuff. Also I read part of the prayer that Orson had originally prayed there as recorded in a letter back to the Saints who were not yet in Utah.
Then Post Second Temple Stuffs
This happens to be our last full day field trip. Our first stop was Masada where a sect of Jews, the Sicarii - nasty bunch, during the Revolts took up their last stand and in a final battle with the Romans ultimately lost a horrible loss of the Romans breaking through their wall (which was thought impossible). This causes illogically those Jews to commit suicide rather than to become the slaves of those Romans. Apparently there is a movie of this battle and apparently it's a big deal but I sadly had not seen it. This entire city is on a plateau and that is why it was thought to be impenetrable. We went up to it not through the hike but instead took a gondala all the way up. Mine was the first group through and so at the top and around a corner we all pretended to be dead trying to imitate the scene the Romans must have seen coming and and finding all of these Jews dead. We went to Herod's palace at this location and it had some beautiful vistas. though there was really hardly anything left of the palace. I happened to see a byzantine church there and it was a pretty cool site.
Next was a wonderful experience in the dead sea. Listen it has more than salt in that water. In Madaba there is a ancient mosaic depicting happy fish near the Sea of Galilee but then a sad fish swimming away from the Dead Sea - perhaps a better name for the Sea would be the Sea of Death. Anyways I had a time using no effort to stay afloat. Sometimes I would freak out and think I needed to tread water for some reason but I totally didn't need to. You see you float no matter if you want to or not you can situate your body straight up and you will not sink - no movement necessary. It's hard to imagine. I look at the pictures I have of our group there and they're smiling for the picture and all. Truth is though they all are in absolute terror of getting the slightest bit of water in their eyes or mouth or anything else. Because the water literally hurts you if you do get it any of these places. I never would have associated the water in these pictures with pain before this experience. Anyway... if you're ever around the dead sea I would definitely recommend you take a dip. It was interesting for all its lack of enjoyableness. Haha
Next we went to a Nature preserve named En Gedi which was cool. it had lots of small waterfalls - I saw some Ibex and some more rock bunnies. There was this awesome waterfall at the end - super cool. But there on the left are some caves said to be the caves in which one of them Saul was hiding from david and had his skirt cut by him.
Finally we stopped at Qumran - an awesome site because of it's view of one of the caves where some of the scrolls were found. There was a short video at the beginning which mainly raised then shot down but left the argument opened about that John the Baptist might be associated with these Essennes. It's just a theory really and I don't know if it's true at all but to each their own. We saw where they copied tons of scripture and where they ate in total sacred silence. Also there were many mivkots all throughout that area so they could ritually purify themselves. Pretty awesome if you ask me. That was that. Have a good one ~
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A String of Jewish Sites
We went to a Synagogue during one of their Friday night services to welcome in the Sabbath. The men and women were separate with a veil dividing them. In the middle was their prayer leader who had a shawl. It was mostly the Congregation singing or speaking portions of their prayer book some of which was directly from the Torah (like the shema). Sometimes all stood and once we turned and faced the other direction - though I can't remember the significance of that at the moment. There was a short sermon given in hebrew about the color red and during it I picked out the words Thanksgiving and America. Anyway that was pretty cool.
On Saturday we observed Sabbath - which of course is an exception for this area. I went out to the Old City and just walked the streets this afternoon. And I talked to my family this night after a fireside given by Elder Larry S. Kacher. Loved it!
The next day we went on a tour first through the Wohl Museum which is in the Jewish Quarter. It shows 3 nice ruins of homes during the 2nd temple period. These excavations are inside the Old City and also present pottery from that time period. Next was the Burnt House which was altogether similar to the Wohl Museum. It presented a movie of the period of destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. It showed that Jerusalem was destroyed and sieged in parts.
Next we went through the Jerusalem Archaeological Park which is a massive archaeological dig on the other side of the western wall on the corner. I saw the mikvahs that travelers would use to ritually purify themselves before going toward the temple as well as steps leading up to two points of entry on the southern side. I had already walked the bottom portion of this flight of stairs during the Hezekiah's tunnel tour. But we were there at the top where a closed three arch gate was visible as well as a visible corner of another gate series. Well there was also some ruins of Byzantine dwellings nearby as well as ruins of an Umayyad Palace. But more interesting to me of course were the unearthed entire plaza sections which were there during the time of Christ. It's certain that Christ - his diciples - and Paul walked on these plaza stones. Amazing - truly.
Afterward we were not picked up I went with a group to shop around. I went on the light rail out a couple stops. Asia Rikard insisted I try a Jelly Filled donut and I am glad I did the man even let us make some of the donuts ourselves.
Next was a Free Day ☺!!! Katherine Redd organized a trip to Tel Aviv which was awesome. We went around Jaffa and saw a tree in an egg suspended in the air. Also in Jaffa I saw a Egyptian gate which I have no idea why it was there! We went to the beach between Jaffa and Tel Aviv and went to our knees in the sea. We threw around a frisbee and Cameron McCord made a really impressive arched sand castle. We were walking through some shops and some people bought souvenirs. Further into Tel Aviv we stopped at a restaurant and I had Chicken Schnitzel which was awesome but I tried the other dishes - their being: Risotto; Spinach Ravioli; & white sauce spaghetti. So delicious! We saw the plaza overlooking the beach in Tel Aviv and were basically picked up there. Man that was Fun!
And just today we had the Kotel Tunnel tour. Were we went to the Western Wall and then proceeded north under the Muslim quarter but along the wall of the Temple mount. We saw a section of Robison's arch also saw a filled in arch which used to lead to a Jewish Synagogue under the Temple mount. There were prayer rolls in these Herodian walls just like at the Temple mount. The Romans of course destroyed the temple and threw off the wall stones on the plaza and road below. The most northern section actually had to be dug out so that the temple mount would be flat therefore the bedrock actually came up to where we were eventually. And we exited at a part of the old city I had passed probably a dozen times! Haha. Anyway it was way fun - Have a good one!
On Saturday we observed Sabbath - which of course is an exception for this area. I went out to the Old City and just walked the streets this afternoon. And I talked to my family this night after a fireside given by Elder Larry S. Kacher. Loved it!
The next day we went on a tour first through the Wohl Museum which is in the Jewish Quarter. It shows 3 nice ruins of homes during the 2nd temple period. These excavations are inside the Old City and also present pottery from that time period. Next was the Burnt House which was altogether similar to the Wohl Museum. It presented a movie of the period of destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. It showed that Jerusalem was destroyed and sieged in parts.
Next we went through the Jerusalem Archaeological Park which is a massive archaeological dig on the other side of the western wall on the corner. I saw the mikvahs that travelers would use to ritually purify themselves before going toward the temple as well as steps leading up to two points of entry on the southern side. I had already walked the bottom portion of this flight of stairs during the Hezekiah's tunnel tour. But we were there at the top where a closed three arch gate was visible as well as a visible corner of another gate series. Well there was also some ruins of Byzantine dwellings nearby as well as ruins of an Umayyad Palace. But more interesting to me of course were the unearthed entire plaza sections which were there during the time of Christ. It's certain that Christ - his diciples - and Paul walked on these plaza stones. Amazing - truly.
Afterward we were not picked up I went with a group to shop around. I went on the light rail out a couple stops. Asia Rikard insisted I try a Jelly Filled donut and I am glad I did the man even let us make some of the donuts ourselves.
Next was a Free Day ☺!!! Katherine Redd organized a trip to Tel Aviv which was awesome. We went around Jaffa and saw a tree in an egg suspended in the air. Also in Jaffa I saw a Egyptian gate which I have no idea why it was there! We went to the beach between Jaffa and Tel Aviv and went to our knees in the sea. We threw around a frisbee and Cameron McCord made a really impressive arched sand castle. We were walking through some shops and some people bought souvenirs. Further into Tel Aviv we stopped at a restaurant and I had Chicken Schnitzel which was awesome but I tried the other dishes - their being: Risotto; Spinach Ravioli; & white sauce spaghetti. So delicious! We saw the plaza overlooking the beach in Tel Aviv and were basically picked up there. Man that was Fun!
And just today we had the Kotel Tunnel tour. Were we went to the Western Wall and then proceeded north under the Muslim quarter but along the wall of the Temple mount. We saw a section of Robison's arch also saw a filled in arch which used to lead to a Jewish Synagogue under the Temple mount. There were prayer rolls in these Herodian walls just like at the Temple mount. The Romans of course destroyed the temple and threw off the wall stones on the plaza and road below. The most northern section actually had to be dug out so that the temple mount would be flat therefore the bedrock actually came up to where we were eventually. And we exited at a part of the old city I had passed probably a dozen times! Haha. Anyway it was way fun - Have a good one!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Paradise
I hope all these quick site descriptions are helpful to have you picture the sites yourselves. On this day we began with Mt. Tabor the traditional site of the Transfiguration - a wonderful site with a large church on top. There is a triple dome at the very back of the basilica with Jesus in the middle. As you go forward there are stairs down to a mosaic room containing symbolic representations of Christ. At the opposing side of the Church there are also Domes to commemorate Moses and Elijah who appeared on the mount. Of course this shows Jesus as the thing to which the Law and the Prophets pointed towards. There was a monastery set apart which we did not go to. There were also ruins of many shrines there from past times.
Next was Megiddo a good tel. This city used to overlook all of the valley of Jezreel and as such was an important hold for any period to maintain. They showed us the Canaanite worship areas. Some of the pictures of their figurines showing their ritual worship were cool. There was an interesting model which showed not only what was visible nowadays but also what was torn away to get to what is now visible. The name of the site in hebrew is Har Meggido where we get our Armageddon (Greek). So many battles occurred here that in Revelations (16:16) it is referred to as the site of the final battle. The reference therefore may be more typological. (This site is also reference in Zech 12 & Joel 3). To finish out this site we walked through and out of the water system. Which had lights coming out the handrails.
Gan Ha-Shelosha - This is simply a "warm spring" site. It was raining here - which made it fun. As I did not have my swim suit I simply waded up to my knees.
Upper Galilee
These sites basically lie North of the Sea of Galilee. It was a beautiful day filled with walks through the forests there. It was all so green. And with Nazareth so close and really with many events relating to Jesus happening in this area - I couldn't help draw a connection with the beautiful scenery with the Gardens in Galilee being yet another Garden which our Lord could be associated with.
The next site was Dan and man was that cool. We walked through part of a trail of a National Forest to get there. We were walking along stones where it seemed nearly that water was literally coming up from between the stones to form a stream which fed into a larger stream. Brother Huntsman talked here about the Living Water imagery that Christ uses with the woman of the well. Not that there aren't beautiful places and gardens in Jerusalem but I saw in Galilee here that there are real forests and waterfalls. That Christ likely walked through these places always is a motivating factor for me to heighten my senses and try to remember every moment of my experience here. We came to Dan's high place which I got the feeling was just the sacred part of the city. The Northern Kingdom or Israel set up two altars when they broke away from Judah, one in Dan and one in Beth-El. They erected bulls (likely a more acceptable symbol relating to God than we can perceive in this modern age) there which they eventually worshiped in idolatry. Anyway so we saw where the altar used to be as well as where their temple complex was. Near this site were trenches from battles - when they were built and to what specific purpose I've no idea. A short trek down a path and we saw the Mud Gate which dates back to Abraham's time. Likely it's the closest site I'll come to relating to Abraham as he very likely walked through it when it was still Canaanite land and a huge city. This arch was not accessible for us to go up to but I could sense it's magnificence. A short walk from that site and we saw the Israelite city walls and gate.
Next we went to Caesarea Philippi The site of Matthew 16:16 where Peter Declares his belief of Jesus as the Son of God. It was dominated by a rock cliff which is iconic of the whole Petros - Petra wordplay Jesus uses in His response to Peter. There is actually here cut into the rock and ruins to boot around there Temples and sacred structures of a Roman persuasion. There is a Temple to Pan there and to Nemesis.
Next was "Nimrod's Castle" a ruin castle built over a crusader castle. The ruin now is a Muslim castle. Anyway the main reason we went there it seemed was the beautiful vistas. I will never forget it. Truly it was beautiful. And overlooked many green valleys. Directly after this we stopped our bus during our trek and saw a view of Syria. And during this night we had a bonfire on the beach of the Sea of Galilee.
Our first site this day we saw in the hills - Chorazin which is a site that is not specifically allotted to a miracle and so undesignated miracles could have taken place here. It is specifically mentioned in Matt 11:21 as a woed city. There was a synagogue there from the new testament times and a remnant of "Moses' Seat" some sort of special seat in the synagogue.
The next site was Sepphoris where we first viewed a mosiac depicting the Jewish religion right beside the zodiac and other Hellenistic influences. There is the famous "Mona Lisa" of Sepphoris a mosaic piece which depicts an unnamed woman. As it is during Christs time with this site only 4 miles away it's possible while growing up he frequented this city. Also this is where the Jewish Mishna was written down.
Finally we stopped at Acco a Port city to the Mediterranean Sea. It was a city before the Crusaders but during that period it was named Acre and really became quite a stronghold for them. We saw their cafeteria area as well as a great port structure. We saw catacombs and tombstones. And went on a walk through the market there.
That night we had a fireside devotional and bearing of testimonies
The Last day in the Galilee area was marked first by our packing up and leaving the site we were staying at for the duration of our time there. We then went to a graveyard near Haifa where two LDS missionaries are buried - they were both called to serve in Israel and both served in a German colony of Christians. There was a story presented to us of a miracle vision leading to a conversion here. Amazing - really amazing.
We went to the top of Mt Carmel where or very near where Elijah had his confrontation with Baal. Some of the students acted out the account in 1 Kings 18 - we went to the chapel there and sang some hymns then went up to the overlook which gave a grand view of the Jezreel Valley. And Brother Huntsman pointed out the stream where Elijah is said to have personally slain the priests of Baal.
The final site we went to is likely where Paul appealed to Caesar after being held for 2 years. This site is Caesarea - a port city which had a great Greco-Roman influence. As the Temple was Herod the Great's effort to impress the Jews the build up of Caesarea was meant to impress his Roman associates. So there was a small theater here. I walked and saw the palace structure which i saw had mosaic flooring. These things were on the beach front so I went to the water a bit. The beach was mostly sand but had a strip of mostly shell fragments. There was a hippodrome there and there really were some great views. There were ruins also of living quarters both from crusader and New testament time frames. It seemed to also be simply a pleasant shop area and many students bought some ice cream there.
So we got back into the bus and took off for the Jerusalem Center. When we arrived it was full of Christmas decorations and we had the Thanksgiving meal right there, which of course was a great feast. Man that was great! Love ya~
Next we went to Caesarea Philippi The site of Matthew 16:16 where Peter Declares his belief of Jesus as the Son of God. It was dominated by a rock cliff which is iconic of the whole Petros - Petra wordplay Jesus uses in His response to Peter. There is actually here cut into the rock and ruins to boot around there Temples and sacred structures of a Roman persuasion. There is a Temple to Pan there and to Nemesis.
Next was "Nimrod's Castle" a ruin castle built over a crusader castle. The ruin now is a Muslim castle. Anyway the main reason we went there it seemed was the beautiful vistas. I will never forget it. Truly it was beautiful. And overlooked many green valleys. Directly after this we stopped our bus during our trek and saw a view of Syria. And during this night we had a bonfire on the beach of the Sea of Galilee.
West of Galilee
Our first site this day we saw in the hills - Chorazin which is a site that is not specifically allotted to a miracle and so undesignated miracles could have taken place here. It is specifically mentioned in Matt 11:21 as a woed city. There was a synagogue there from the new testament times and a remnant of "Moses' Seat" some sort of special seat in the synagogue.
The next site was Sepphoris where we first viewed a mosiac depicting the Jewish religion right beside the zodiac and other Hellenistic influences. There is the famous "Mona Lisa" of Sepphoris a mosaic piece which depicts an unnamed woman. As it is during Christs time with this site only 4 miles away it's possible while growing up he frequented this city. Also this is where the Jewish Mishna was written down.
Finally we stopped at Acco a Port city to the Mediterranean Sea. It was a city before the Crusaders but during that period it was named Acre and really became quite a stronghold for them. We saw their cafeteria area as well as a great port structure. We saw catacombs and tombstones. And went on a walk through the market there.
That night we had a fireside devotional and bearing of testimonies
The Last day in the Galilee area was marked first by our packing up and leaving the site we were staying at for the duration of our time there. We then went to a graveyard near Haifa where two LDS missionaries are buried - they were both called to serve in Israel and both served in a German colony of Christians. There was a story presented to us of a miracle vision leading to a conversion here. Amazing - really amazing.
We went to the top of Mt Carmel where or very near where Elijah had his confrontation with Baal. Some of the students acted out the account in 1 Kings 18 - we went to the chapel there and sang some hymns then went up to the overlook which gave a grand view of the Jezreel Valley. And Brother Huntsman pointed out the stream where Elijah is said to have personally slain the priests of Baal.
The final site we went to is likely where Paul appealed to Caesar after being held for 2 years. This site is Caesarea - a port city which had a great Greco-Roman influence. As the Temple was Herod the Great's effort to impress the Jews the build up of Caesarea was meant to impress his Roman associates. So there was a small theater here. I walked and saw the palace structure which i saw had mosaic flooring. These things were on the beach front so I went to the water a bit. The beach was mostly sand but had a strip of mostly shell fragments. There was a hippodrome there and there really were some great views. There were ruins also of living quarters both from crusader and New testament time frames. It seemed to also be simply a pleasant shop area and many students bought some ice cream there.
So we got back into the bus and took off for the Jerusalem Center. When we arrived it was full of Christmas decorations and we had the Thanksgiving meal right there, which of course was a great feast. Man that was great! Love ya~
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Some hikes around Jesus Land
Here I will series several days events:
Qazrin Village
As for the actual Village the site was from the 4th century I think and had actually been partly restructured. So they had made the rooms back up and filled them as if they were still in use. Anyway that was that.
Gamla - Actually a supposed site of Gamla as it seems that is somewhat is in dispute. But if it is Gamla then it features closely with the Jewish historian Josephus. As it was he who helped construct such an impressive defensive position with two walls to protect their city set on a hill (it's ruins are beautiful). However he was in a neighboring village when the Romans overtook it and was captured. And Gamla fell not long after that. It is suspected that Josephus gave the Romans information to help them in their conquest - as he is favored in Roman society and given citizenship. He then become a historian and writes much about the history of all Israel. -- Featured at the site is a synagogue which is cool as Jesus may have taught there in his teaching in the synagogues all around the area. This city is set on a hill and is not too far from where the Sermon on the Mount discourse was given - so perhaps it is the very city the Lord was referring to in Matt 5:14. There was an choice to see the ruins OR seeing a waterfall. I opted to try and see both and though I made it to both sites it was too foggy to see the site of the waterfall.
As for the actual Village the site was from the 4th century I think and had actually been partly restructured. So they had made the rooms back up and filled them as if they were still in use. Anyway that was that.
Golan hike with Eric Maltzman - This was the next day. Eric was a tour guide and was a pretty good and safe instructor and hiker. He led us through a National forest and brought us to the Black Waterfall (featuring Basalt stone) and Then to the White Waterfall (featuring Limestone). All very picturesque - loved it and there were some great views.
Today was Sabbath (Saturday) so we celebrated church in a members home which had a large open window overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Really great service. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Love ya!
Today was Sabbath (Saturday) so we celebrated church in a members home which had a large open window overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Really great service. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Love ya!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A day filled with things of Jesus
Alright lots of cool stuff has happened. We had a boat ride across Sea of Galilee which began with 3 songs of Gospel music which was fun. We stopped the boat in the middle and our teacher gave us a discourse on Jesus' walking on the water (which showed not only that he had power over the elements but also gave reference to the creation as he created order out of chaos). We sang Master the Tempest is Raging which didn't really fit the scene as it was perfectly sunny and calm (with little to no waves) - I suppose it did fit the geographical location (obviously haha).
Next was the "Nof Ginosar Ancient Boat" - We watched a video there about it which was very interesting as a marine archaeology success story. They were concerned with this revealed boat that it would disintegrate if it was allowed to dry. Finally after digging it out they surrounded it with fiber glass type stuff allowing it to take one last trek into the Sea of Galilee. They then soaked this boat in a particular type of wax so that it would be okay. One note about it is that it's potentially old enough to be from the time of christ - it's made out of a plethora of different types of wood. Anyways it's a big deal.
Mt. of Beatitudes was next which had at it's top a Octagonal church which was convenient as there are 8 beattitudes but really an octagonal church is a type historical architecture which means that it is a memorial church to commemorate a sacred site. It's a wonderful church with stained glass holding in greek the beattitudes. We sang some hymns to set the scene and then Brother Huntsman gave a short lecture allowing us afterward a reflective session - which I used to read the entire sermon on the mount and the recitation to the Nephites in 3 Nephi. The gardens were beautiful and green.
Tabgha - In this location lies The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes where an iconic mosaic lies. I remember the windows to this church were full panel but shaded with a cool tan splotchy type of glass. I think it's pretty obvious what this church commemorates
St. Peter’s Primacy - This was on the beachfront and had been identified as a site related to the feeding of the apostles after the resurrection (where Peter jumps into the water and swims to the Lord) and after ward asks Peter "Do you love me? then feed my sheep". There's a "Table of the Lord" there which is supposed to be where they Lord laid out his meal for the apostles.
Next was Capernaum the city ruins. As we entered we first went to the remains of the synagogue where various levels were visible but not accessible. Showing where Jesus may have taught during his life near the time of his healing of Peters mother in law (also in Capernaum). They have a place in the city ruins (which your really can't enter) where they have designated an very early Christian meeting place. Like historically they are sure the time frame of this room coordinates with the time Peter was alive (actually he was a successful fisher/ business man). So venerated was this site that an octagonal church was built there - however this was destroyed. Now there is a suspended octagonal church above the city ruins and directly above the ruins of this room where it is highly suspected that the early chirstians met here and that possibly it could be Peter's Home.
Kursi is an archaeological site made of the black basalt stone which is definitely more prevalent in this area. This church was to commemorate the place where Legion went into a herd of swine and ran into the sea. This was the final site of the day and we were all ready to be finished after such a long day. We walked up the steep hill a bit and looked out to see the sea was likely very much closer to the cliff base we were at - no one guesses exactly where this event took place - but that it was near here it is clear.
All that was yesterday
So Today was just lecture doing a good part of Mark and beginning Matthew - I'm learning a lot and really like the familiarity I am gaining with the gospels so far. I have gained an deeper understanding and connection with their separate records - If I put my mind to it I'm sure I will nail this information into a part of my being so I'll never forget it.
In the evening we went out by bus to a fish restaurant where we were served St. Peter's Galilean fish (the supposed very variety of fish which held the coin miraculously). I had Fish and Spaghetti there as well as the ice cream they provided - it was all good. We then went to the city Tiberius where we just walked around the shops and all - it was fairly late so it was about half closed down. And we saw ruins of 1 of 8 synagogues in the area.
Yeah that's what happened
Next was the "Nof Ginosar Ancient Boat" - We watched a video there about it which was very interesting as a marine archaeology success story. They were concerned with this revealed boat that it would disintegrate if it was allowed to dry. Finally after digging it out they surrounded it with fiber glass type stuff allowing it to take one last trek into the Sea of Galilee. They then soaked this boat in a particular type of wax so that it would be okay. One note about it is that it's potentially old enough to be from the time of christ - it's made out of a plethora of different types of wood. Anyways it's a big deal.
Tabgha - In this location lies The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes where an iconic mosaic lies. I remember the windows to this church were full panel but shaded with a cool tan splotchy type of glass. I think it's pretty obvious what this church commemorates
St. Peter’s Primacy - This was on the beachfront and had been identified as a site related to the feeding of the apostles after the resurrection (where Peter jumps into the water and swims to the Lord) and after ward asks Peter "Do you love me? then feed my sheep". There's a "Table of the Lord" there which is supposed to be where they Lord laid out his meal for the apostles.
Next was Capernaum the city ruins. As we entered we first went to the remains of the synagogue where various levels were visible but not accessible. Showing where Jesus may have taught during his life near the time of his healing of Peters mother in law (also in Capernaum). They have a place in the city ruins (which your really can't enter) where they have designated an very early Christian meeting place. Like historically they are sure the time frame of this room coordinates with the time Peter was alive (actually he was a successful fisher/ business man). So venerated was this site that an octagonal church was built there - however this was destroyed. Now there is a suspended octagonal church above the city ruins and directly above the ruins of this room where it is highly suspected that the early chirstians met here and that possibly it could be Peter's Home.
Kursi is an archaeological site made of the black basalt stone which is definitely more prevalent in this area. This church was to commemorate the place where Legion went into a herd of swine and ran into the sea. This was the final site of the day and we were all ready to be finished after such a long day. We walked up the steep hill a bit and looked out to see the sea was likely very much closer to the cliff base we were at - no one guesses exactly where this event took place - but that it was near here it is clear.
All that was yesterday
So Today was just lecture doing a good part of Mark and beginning Matthew - I'm learning a lot and really like the familiarity I am gaining with the gospels so far. I have gained an deeper understanding and connection with their separate records - If I put my mind to it I'm sure I will nail this information into a part of my being so I'll never forget it.
In the evening we went out by bus to a fish restaurant where we were served St. Peter's Galilean fish (the supposed very variety of fish which held the coin miraculously). I had Fish and Spaghetti there as well as the ice cream they provided - it was all good. We then went to the city Tiberius where we just walked around the shops and all - it was fairly late so it was about half closed down. And we saw ruins of 1 of 8 synagogues in the area.
Yeah that's what happened
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