A Holy Land pilgrimage – a walk through the stages of Jesus's life
A Holy Land pilgrimage a walk through the stages of Jesus's life
A Holy Land pilgrimage can take you closer to the places where Jesus gave his followers spiritual insights and reinforced their faith.
Tour operators such as Tangney Tours can offer an organised programme in which English-speaking Spiritual Leaders and guide can look after your needs and answer your questions on walking tours and excursions.
The tours often start in Jerusalem, because of the city's proximity to Tel Aviv airport, but if you could magically dispense with all time, money, hotel and travel considerations you could plan a route like the one below to visit destinations in the order in which they featured in Jesus's life.
Bethlehem Nativity Church
Such a tour would have to have a Bethlehem pilgrimage as a starting point. When you enter this place of pilgrimage you will be standing in one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world.
Visit it today and you will find two churches with the Grotto of Nativity crypt beneath.
At the front of the crypt is the Altar of the Nativity, beneath which is the star signifying the spot where the Virgin Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus.
River Jordan
Jesus was baptised by John in the River Jordan and is also the place where he sought refuge when his enemies sought to capture him.
There are several references in the New Testament to Jesus crossing the Jordan a place which the Hebrew Bible describes as a source of fertility for a larger plain; a "garden of God".
The Old Testament speaks of the River Jordan as being the scene of several miracles.
Cana
The first of Jesus's many miracles was performed at Cana, making it a place of great spiritual significance. Tour operators such as Tangney can take you the spot where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding feast.
Jerusalem Mount of Olives
Occasionally mentioned in the Old Testament and often mentioned in the New Testament. As its name suggests, olive groves cover this mountain ridge from where Jesus taught and revealed prophecies to his disciples.
Mount of Olives is the place where he stood and wept over Jerusalem and he later returned here on the night of his betrayal.
Today, landmarks such as a tomb, a park and several churches line the landscape at this tranquil setting.
Church of Beatitudes
"Turn the other cheek", "salt of the earth" and "judge not, lest ye be judged" - all phrases and sayings that can be found in the biblical account of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount.
The Church of the Beatitudes now stands in the place where Jesus delivered the sermon; on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
Previous visitors to this place of pilgrimage include Popes Paul VI and John Paul II; both of whom celebrated Mass there.
Jerusalem Pater Noster Church
Pater Noster' is Latin for Our Father'; the first words of The Lord's Prayer, the text of which Jesus taught to his disciples at the site where Pater Noster Church now stands.
This Jerusalem place of pilgrimage can be found on the Mount of Olives, just north of the Tombs of the Prophets.
Golgotha & Via Dolorosa
The final leg of a journey retracing Jesus's life would have to include a pilgrimage to the place of his greatest sacrifice.
Via Dolorosa (the way of suffering) is a street within the Old City of Jerusalem where Jesus carried his cross on the way to his crucifixion.
Along the way are the nine Stations of the Cross depictions of Jesus's route to the Cross.
Golgotha (also known as Calvary) is the place outside Jerusalem's 1st century walls where Christ was crucified.
Modern pilgrims visit these places to quietly contemplate Jesus's life of sacrifice in a city where people today try to follow his teachings and example.
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