Galilee with the Zion Family

Our second day began with sumptuous breakfast at the Rimonim. We headed out for an itinerary which included a 45 minutes drive to our starting point. We started with a small prayer by Mr. Paul Sequeira (Proprietor of Zion Tours and Travel)  followed by the  rosary and hymns and brief of the places by our guide Mr. Hani.

Ours first stop was at The Mount of Beatitudes
Located on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes is the traditional site of Jesus’ delivery of the Sermon on the Mount. It was a very pleasant weather as we got out of the bus.  I joined the flow of pilgrims and tourists streaming through the entrance, past the snack bar and along a paved pathway which held plaques quoting the Beatitudes, blessings Jesus gave during the Sermon on the Mount. we had our tour at the church and were blessed to have a Mass offered by our Priest in the Garden of Beatitudes.

Byzantine style Church Designed by architect Antonio Barluzzi.

Our second stop was Church of the Primacy of Peter, Tabgha
It was a 10 minutes drive from The Church of Beatitude. It is a Franciscan chapel that incorporates part of a 4th-century church.

The back portion of the Chapel

The Entrance to the Chapel

Modern bronze statue of Jesus symbolically commissioning Peter.

The Latin word Mensa Christi “table of Christ” This is where Jesus is believed to have served his disciples a fish breakfast after they landed on shore.

 

The rock-cut steps “where the Lord stood.”

Our third stop was at Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes
It was just 3 minutes drive from the Chapel, it is also know as the Church of Multiplication. Modern Church stands on the site of 4th and 5th century church.

Mosaic of two fish flanking a basket of loaves

Interiors of the Church

Our forth stop was at Capernaum Synagogue
Like most of the site this Synagogue was just at the vicinity. Mr Hani told us that it is was ancient fishing village which housed  a  Byzantine-era synagogue  and also the house where Jesus healed a paralytic and St. Peter’s mother-in-law.

Modern church over St Peter’s house

The ancient synagogue

On completing the visit to the Synagogue all our faces had brighten on the fact of knowing we would be sailing on the Sea of Galilee It was a place where Jesus performed miracles such as his walking on water, calming the storm and feeding of 5,000 with five loaves and two fish.
From the “Man in the Galilee” Museum we  walked out and waited for the boat that we would ride across the Sea of Galilee. 

We entered the boat which is managed by the Kibbutz. We started the journey by Hoisting the National Flag, which was followed by an interactive session of dancing and singing on board. After our 1 hour cruise we walked back into our bus to our next destination.

Our next stop was a lunch at the local Kibbutz restaurant where many relished the very popular St. Peters fish.

Saint Peter’s fish is a popular meal at restaurants around the Sea of Galilee.

Some Fresh Dates served after lunch.

We than proceeded to River Jordan. Mr. Hani told that, it was not the actual site where John the Baptist, Baptized Jesus, however the water flowing  originates from the actual site.

Our last site for the evening Mount Tabor

Mount Tabor

We drove for an hour to the foot hill of Mount Tabor, reaching upon there we were informed that we would have to hire the mini vehicles that would take us there and get us back to the bus as the road was narrow and the it was a very steep hill.

It is a hill rising 500m above the Jezreel Valley in the region of Galilee. Mt. Tabor as the place of the Transfiguration of Christ. The church contains three grottoes belonging to the Crusader church.  It was designed by Antonio Barluzzi an Italian Architect.

Ruins

Pathway to the Church

The Church of Transfiguration

 

Mosaic of Transfiguration in apse of Church of the Transfiguration

 

The day winded with a beautiful sunset at Mount Tabor.

Sunset at Mount Tabor