The Galilee
The Galilee is a lush, green region in northern Israel offering beautiful landscape of mountains, valleys, lakes and the famous Sea of Galilee. It is home for villages and kibbutzes of different ethnical israeli groups of people like Druzes, Arabs, Circasians and Jews. Rich of thousands years of history and different cultures, some of it already described in the Hebrew Bible and later in the christian Gospel, the Galilee is wellknown today for its numerous ancient churches along Jesus paths as well as antique unearthed typical Galilean synagogue dating back to the Byzantine period. Major Archeological sites like Meggido and Hazor tells us about the fascinating history of the region as old as 5,000 years.
The Gospel tells us much about Jesus life in the Galilee where his family was originatd from and much of those places where an event took place as described in the holy book are sanctified and memorized with a church. Nazareth of course with the the Annunciation, Qana where the miracle of the Wedding, and along the western coast of the Galilee in Capharnaum where Jesus spent some time in Peter's House, at Tabgha where the Multiplication of the Bread or the Mount of Beatitudes and more. Not only the coastline but the Sea of Galilee itself where sailing will allow a unique memorable experience especially after visiting the museum where a 2,000 years fisherman boat from Jesus found in the lake time is kept for visitors.
Two hundred years after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AC, the Jewish people was about to disappear like many other peoples and cultures before. But agains all odds, thanks to the Rabbis and Sages the People of Israel stood up again from the ashes of the tragedy and built itself in the Galilee where Jewish life started to flourish. Archeological surveys unearthed ancient synagogue typical of the Gaalilean style and Jewish cemetaries in caves where famous rabbis known from the Talmud are buried. A tour in those surprising sites like Beit Alpha, Zippori, Beit Shearim and others will be an unforgatable and enriching experience.
Nestled in the Jordan Valley at the heart of the Great Rift, the Sea of Galilee is a place of profound beauty and spiritual significance. Sailing on its tranquil waters recalls key moments from the life of Jesus, such as calling His disciples, calming the storm, and walking on the water. Surrounded by sacred sites like Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes. Sailing on these clear waters where such miracles took place according to the Gospel = Calming the Storm, calling his disciple, walking on the water offers an unforgettable and enriching experience of faith and history yet shared in a joyful atmosphere of song and celebration.
The baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan marks a turning point, perhaps even the beginning of the Christian rite of baptism. At Yardenit, pilgrims from around the world come to renew their faith in the very waters that symbolize spiritual rebirth. Set along the peaceful banks of the Jordan River, this sacred site offers a deeply moving, reflective, and enriching experience of prayer, commitment, and connection to Christian tradition. Even if don't bathe it's worthy the visit as you will most probably witness such ceremony by christians from different denominations adding a fascinating cultural aspect to your experience. Look at my Orthodox Epiphany movie here.