Holy

Land
Pilgrimage

Thoothukudi Nazareth Diocese

Part IV
Outside of
Jerusalem

This Power Point Programme is

designed & created by:

Rev.Dr.T.P.Samuel Stuart
Honorary Presbyter
Holy Trinity Church
Thoothukudi - 628001

Ph. 0461-2329865
Ph. 0461-2329865

Mobile. 94864 53864

Mobile. 94864 53864

Holy Land Pilgrimage

Countries Visited: Egypt Israel Palestine Jordan
30th January to 10th February, 2012

I Acknowledge having used the Photographs of

Rev. Dr. D. G. A. Thomas

Mr. B. Premkumar &
Internet,

besides my Photographs for preparing this Programme.

Rev. Dr. T. P. Samuel Stuart

Jerico
Mount of Temptation
Dead Sea
Ein Karem
Caesarea
Haifa and Stella Maris

Jerico
Jerico

Jericho
Jericho
Jerichoisisthe
thefirst
firstCity,
City,the
the
Israelites
Israelitescaptured
capturedwhen
when
they
theybegan
beganto
tooccupy
occupythe
the
Promised
PromisedLand.
Land.
(Josh.4:1-6-27)
(Josh.4:1-6-27)

This is the Sycamore Tree Zacchaeus claimed to see Jesus,

when He visited Jericho (Luke 19:1-10).

Pilgrimage Team at Jericho

Jericho, the oldest City of the world

In is Hotel at Jericho, we took our Lunch

Mount of
Temptation

Mountain of Temptation
The actual place of Temptation is at the middle of the
Mountain (Matthew 4:1-11) See the arrow

Mountain of Temptation it could reached only through Rope-Car

(We saw from the distance; but not visited)

Dead Sea

Dead Sea

Dead Sea is more than 400m (1,312 ft.) below sea level. It is the lowest point
on the face of the earth. It receives water from number of incoming rivers.
Once the waters reach the Dead Sea they are land-locked and have nowhere
to go, so they evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of salts and
minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its
finest products.
This area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom,
Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar (Bela).
The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm, soothing, super salty
water itself some ten times saltier than sea water, and rich in chloride salts
of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromine and several others. Scientifically
speaking, its water contains more than 35 different types of minerals that
are essential for the health and care of the body skin.
Themineral-rich waters have attracted visitors since ancient times,
including King Herod the Great and the beautiful Egyptian Queen,
Cleopatra.
All who take bath in the Dead Seas rich, black, stimulating mud could float
effortlessly on their backs while soaking up the water's healthy minerals

Dead Sea or Salt Sea

Dead Sea bath

Dead Sea

(See! How Mrs. Stuart

floating on the water)

Ein Karem
the Birth Place of

John

the Baptist

Church of St John the Baptist

Ein Karem is the Suburb of Jerusalem. Birth Place of John the Baptist
near Ein Karem which is referred in the Bible Hill country
Virgin Mary Visited Elizabeth, the Mother of John the Baptist, when she
knew of her pergnency through the Angel. (Luke1:13-17)
It appears that Zacharias was quite a man of means. He had two
houses one on the grounds another summer house on the Hills.
At the sites of both the houses, Churches have been built one is the
birth place of John and the other house is the place where Mary, the
mother of Jesus, met Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist.
The Church in Ein Karem was rebuilt by Crusaders; but after they left
the Holy Land the sanctuary was abandoned. In the middle of 14th
Century, the Franciscan Order purchased the site and built the Church
of John the Baptist, with the help of Danish Royal Family.
Greek inscription in the centre of the chancel reads, "Hail martyrs of
God". A marble star beneath the altar bears a Latin inscription:
"Hic precursor Domini natus est" (Here was born the precursor of the
Lord).

Church of St John the Baptist situated at his birth place (house); here Mary, the
mother of Jesus had stayed more than three months

Church of St John the Baptist

Where was his house once

Entrance of John the Baptist Church

Altar of the Church of John the Baptist

The Church of St. John the Baptist
belongs to the Franciscan monastery.
The earliest church on the site goes
back to the fifth century, over the
place traditionally held to be the home
of Zacharias and Elisabeth.
The Grotto of the Benedictus, beneath
the Church is considered to be the
place where John the Baptist was
born. The most revered site in the
church is the grotto. It is believed to be
part of the home in which John the
Baptist was born to Zechariah and
Elizabeth. It is the site of his birth. The
crept is incorporated in Church
underground.

Our Pilgrimage
Team Members
at the altar
of John the
Baptist Church

Altar of John the

Baptist Church

A Picture of John the Baptist at the altar of the Church at his birth place

Beautiful
Candlestick
at the altar

Grotto, where the house of John the Baptist was

The Greek
inscription
in the centre
of the chancel
reads, "Hail
martyrs of
God". A
marble star
beneath the
altar bears a
Latin
inscription:
"Hic precursor
Domini natus
est" (Here was
born the
precursor of
the Lord).

A closure look - The grotto, believed to be part of the home of John the
Baptist, where he was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth

On the walls of the Grotto of John the Baptist Church

Grotto of the house

of John the Baptist

Grotto of the birth place

of John the Baptist

Rev. S. Manickam
at the Grotto of
John the Baptist
Church

Display
Zechariahs
Prophecy
on the
John the
Baptist
Church
wall

(Luke 1:68-79)

Wall Paintings and metal display in John the Baptist Church

Stuarts inside the John the Baptist Church

Church of
Visitationion

(on the mountains of

Ein Karem)

Church Of
Visitation

It is another church
claimed to the honour of
John the Baptist, on a
slope of the hill south of
Ein Kerem. It is said to be
the another house of
Zacariah at Ein Kerem, a
Judean Hill town. It is the
summer house of
Zachariah, the father of
John.
(We have not visited this
Church).

This is the
place where
Mary met
Elizabeth
after hearing
her pregnancy
from Angel
Gabriel ; and
she stayed
here for three
months
(Luke 1:39-56)

The place where the infant John the Baptist was hidden, when Herod
ordered the Massacre of Children below 2 years

Caesarea

Caesarea
Caesarea

Caesarea we visited is not Caesarea Philippi. The city of Caesarea

Caesarea we visited is not Caesarea Philippi. The city of Caesarea
Philippi was on the southwestern slope of Mount Hermon and the
Philippi was on the southwestern slope of Mount Hermon and the
northernmost extent of Jesus' ministry. In Caesarea Philippi, Peter
northernmost extent of Jesus' ministry. In Caesarea Philippi, Peter
made the greatest declaration, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living
made the greatest declaration, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God." (Matt.16:16).
God." (Matt.16:16).
However, here, I am referring to the other Caesarea, a city located on
However, here, I am referring to the other Caesarea, a city located on
the Mediterranean coast, about midway between Haifa and Tel Aviv.
the Mediterranean coast, about midway between Haifa and Tel Aviv.
Caesarea is also known as Caesarea Palaestina and Caesarea
Caesarea is also known as Caesarea Palaestina and Caesarea
Maritima.
Maritima.
It was constructed by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC and
It was constructed by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC and
named for Caesar Augustus.
named for Caesar Augustus.
Caesarea was one of the most splendid cities in Palestine and was the
Caesarea was one of the most splendid cities in Palestine and was the
capital of the Judean province for almost 600 years.
capital of the Judean province for almost 600 years.
Caesarea was the official residence of the Herodian kings, and of
Caesarea was the official residence of the Herodian kings, and of
Festus, Felix and the other Roman procurators (Governors) of Judea,
Festus, Felix and the other Roman procurators (Governors) of Judea,
including Pontius Pilate.
including Pontius Pilate.

Caesarea
Caesarea
Caesarea played an important role in early Christian history. Here the baptism of

Caesarea
important
role
in early
Christian
history.from
Herehere
the Paul
baptism
the
Roman played
officer an
Cornelius
took
place;
(Acts
10:1-5, 25-28)
set of
thefor
Roman
officer Cornelius
tookMediterranean;
place; (Acts 10:1-5,
25-28)
here Paul set
sail
his journeys
in the eastern
and here
he from
was taken
sail for his
in thefor
eastern
Mediterranean;
prisoner
andjourneys
sent to Rome
trial. (Acts
23:23-24). and here he was taken
prisoner
and sent
tothe
Rome
for trial.
23:23-24).
Here
also lived
Philip
deacon
and (Acts
his four
prophesying daughters (Acts 21:8Here
also
lived
Philip
the
deacon
and
his
four
prophesying daughters (Acts 21:89).
9).
The Church Father Origen founded a Christian academy in the city, which
The Church
Father
Origen manuscripts.
founded a Christian
academy in
which
included
a library
of 30,000
At the beginning
of the
the city,
4th century,
included
a library
of 30,000
At the
beginning Caesarea
of the 4thiscentury,
the
theologian
Eusebius,
who manuscripts.
served as Bishop
of Caesarea.
a most
the
theologian
Eusebius,
who
served
as
Bishop
of
Caesarea.
Caesarea
is
a most
impressive archeological site, open to the public. One can visit the Roman-period
impressive
site, open to the public. One can visit the Roman-period
theater,
Kingarcheological
Herods palace.
theater, King Herods palace.
Josephus says that the Palace built by Herod the Great is a "most magnificent
Josephus
the
Palace
built by on
Herod
Greatofisthis
a "most
magnificent
palace.
Paulsays
maythat
have
been
imprisoned
the the
grounds
palace
(Acts
palace.
Paul
may
have
been
imprisoned
on
the
grounds
of
this
palace
(Acts
23:35).
23:35).
To strengthen his Navy power, Herod built a magnificent harbour in 40 acres,
To strengthen
his Navy power,
Herodbuilt
a magnificent
which
could accommodate
300 ships
it is now
in ruins. harbour in 40 acres,
which could accommodate 300 ships it is now in ruins.

Caesarea Philippi
(On this place Peter
Confessed that Jesus
Is the Son of God)

Caesarea (The Port City,

where the Roman
Governors resided,
as rulers of Judea)

See the
location
of
Caesarea

Caesarea

The lack of fresh water at Caesarea Herod built a lengthy aqueduct to

bring water from springs at the base of Mt. Carmel nearly ten miles
away.This City was the Residence of Roman Governors (Pilate and
other rulers)

Stuarts at Caesarea

This Water Canal system is situated

on the shores of Mediterranean sea

Mrs. Stuart at Caesarea

Mrs. Stuart at Mediterranean sea

Walking on the shores of Mediterranean

Stuarts on the shores Mediterranean Sea

Rev. Stuart
on the rock of
Mediterranea
n
sea

Ruins of the palace at Caesarea

where the Roman Governors
lived, including Pontius Pilate

The ruined palace Herod built at

Caesarea, the Roman Governors
who ruled Judea lived here,
including Pontius Pilate.

A two-by-three-foot stone, discovered at Caesarea in 1961, records the name of Pontius

Pilate; only "TIVSPILATVS" remains of Pilate's name in the middle line (Now in Israel
museum, Jerusalem).

Haifa

Bahai Gardens in Haifa

Haifa is the only Port of Israel.

Haifa is the international headquarters for the Baha'i Faith, which

began amidst persecution in Persia in the mid-19th century.

In 2008, UNESCO named the Baha'i Shrine a World Heritage Site

along with the shrine and tomb of Baha'u'llah in Acre.

Baha'is believe in the unity of all religions and believe that messengers
of God like Moses, Jesus and Muhammad have been sent at different
times in history with doctrines varying to fit changing social needs,
but bringing substantially the same message.

The Baha'i gardens are now a geometric cascade of hanging gardens

The Gates of Bahai

Gardens in Haifa

Bahai Shrine

Haifa Harbour, the only sea port

of Israel, from the top of Bahai
Gardens

Haifa Port, it the only Port town for Israel

Baha'i Shrine
and Gardens
in Haifa

Baha'i Shrine and

Gardens in Haifa

Bahai Garden in Geomatric precision

Baha'i Shrine and

Gardens in Haifa

Stella
Stella
Maris
Maris
Church
Church

Stella Maris Monastery

Situated at the western edge of Mount Carmel, high above the

Mediterranean Sea and the coastal city of Haifa.
The name Stella Maris in Latin means Star of the Sea ; it is title
accorded to Virgin Mary.
The monastery is the world headquarters of the order of friars and
nuns, the Carmelites.
Inside the church, coloured Italian marble and dramatic paintings
in the dome, one depicting Elijah being swept up to heaven in a fiery
chariot.
Steps lead down to a grotto, with a small altar, where prophet Elijah
is believed to have occasionally lived.

Stella Maris Church

Dome of Stella
Maris Church

Stella Maris Church

On Mount Carmel

Elias Cave

The cave,
located below
the altar, is
the
Cave of Elijah
said to
have lived

Stella
Maris
Church
Mrs. Stuart
at cave of
Elijah

Elias Cave

Stella Maris
Church
Rev.Stuart

before
the Altar

Mrs. Stuart near Stella Maris

End
of
Part
IV