To the Top of the Mountain

Icon of the Annunciation

Our last day near the Sea of Galilee dawned bright and clear.  Watching the sunrise over the sea was an awesome experience. I sat on the terrace facing the water as the sun rose and read Morning Prayer. I can’t begin to describe the experience of being right there and voicing my praise to the Lord.  

The Basilica of the Annunciation

Following breakfast we took our baggage to the bus and the loaded for our trip to Nazareth. It is a sizable city now compared to Jesus’, Mary’s and Joseph’s Day. Ashraf, our driver, worked his way through some narrow streets in the old part of the city and allowed us to exit near the Basilica of the Annunciation. It is a contemporary church built on the ruins of a crusader building. In the courtyard surrounding the building are images of the Blessed Virgin from various countries around the world.  It is interesting to see how she is depicted–sometimes in native costumes, sometimes more traditionally but always with great reverence.

On one side of the basilica are bronze doors which depict events in the life of Mary and Jesus, Inscribed on the building is the Salve Regina.

One enters at this level into the crypt. There you can descend further to peer into a chapel which is designated as Mary’s 

Basilica of the Annunciation

House and would be the place where the Angel Gabriel appeared to her. It is, in reality, the ruins of a small house. Further archeological work was being done behind the altar so plastic sheets covered that area and we could not view it. 

There is an apsidal area so Mass can be celebrated with a larger crowd than can be accommodated in the chapel.  The visit was especially lovely because there was no crowd. We were virtually the only ones present for a while. 

Going up to the main basilica one can see other representations of the Blessed Virgin from various countries. Since this is a pilgrimage it resonated with me to see one of the Spanish representations included St. James and reference to his shrine at Compostela. 

There is an opening in the center where one can look down into the shrine below which is directly under the great dome of the basilica. The high altar is in the apse with a beautiful gold mosaic  capturing one’s attention. There are two side chapels 

In the Crypt St. Joseph's Church

as well.

The Church of the Synagogue

Returning to the courtyard there is another church to visit, that of St. Joseph which is built upon the ruins of his home.

We then walked through a market to the Synagogue Church which contains the ruins of the synagogue where Jesus went on the Sabbath and read to the crowd 

The Melkite Rite
Church of the Synagogue

and then announced that he was the one spoken of in Isaiah’s prophecy. The crowd, of course, did not believe him because they all knew who he was. 

Following a stop for lunch we drove up and up and up to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration. Our bus had to park part way up and we had to transfer to smaller vans because the bus could not make the tight turns required. 

The Church of the Transfiguration

The Chapel of Moses

Again, this church is a newer structure built upon the ruins of a crusader church. 

The Chapel of Elijah

There are small chapels dedicated to Moses and Elijah near the entrance. The high altar is elevated above the crypt where there is another chapel. It is an unusual structure where you can see the altar above and below from the nave of the church. 

There are viewing platforms outside the church on both sides where one can take advantage of the miles’ long vista. It is truly incredible.

High Altar at the Church of the Transfiguration

I have no idea how long it would take or what it would be like to walk up this mountain. What took place here is beyond normal human comprehension. It is an overpowering experience to be here where Peter, James, John, Moses and Elijah all gathered around the Savior. 

We then journeyed back to the College in Jerusalem. Tomorrow will be another set of adventures. We too had to come down from the mountain top. 

View from Mt. Tabor