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| Mount Tabor of the Transfiguration |
We began at the site of biblical Capernaum, the center of Jesus' ministry and the home of several disciples. We visited the fourth century synagogue, the series of churches built around and over the home that is said to have been that of Saint Peter, and considered in detail the nature of the rise of Christianity and its separation from emergent rabbinic Judaism.
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| Capernaum synagogue lintel |
A short drive found us at Tabgha, the restored church built to commemorate the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and the feeding of the 5,000. A lovely mosaic floor remains of the Byzantine church.
Nearby we saw the 20th century octagonal chapel at the site to recall the Sermon on the Mount. Lovely gardens and a gorgeous vista of the Sea made us mindful of the Beatitudes and our personal responsibilities to our fellow travelers, our communities, and our world.
A busy traffic day at Nazareth made it slow going, however, a brief stop at a date and date honey manufacturing plant and shop brought some retail therapy to the rescues-- taste-testing and shopping, such a nice combination. Five of our group renewed their baptismal vows with a rebaptism ceremony at Yardenit in the Jordan River, complete with robes and full immersion!
At Nazareth we visited the Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation, enjoyed a baklava dessert snack, and a climb up the overlook at the Mount Precipice that recalls Jesus' sermon at Nazareth from Luke's Gospel chapter 4. We then headed back to a nice Shabbat meal with a demonstration of the weekly prayers and songs to usher in a day of rest.
Tomorrow is no rest for the sacre traverlers as a 7:45 am boat ride on the Sea of Galilee will start our explorations. All travelers are well and having fun!
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| Capernaum synagogue |
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| Sheryl and Randy Lunz |
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| Byzantine mosaic floor, Tabgha church |
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