FRIENDS OF CLAINES CHuRCH
A PARISH PILGRIMAGE
On Tuesday 24th March 34 pilgrims set out on a Pilgrimage from Claines to the Holy Land. We will travel to the land where Jesus walked and taught, and will spend time in Galilee, where Jesus lived, and where much of his ministry took place. We will cross the Sea of Galilee, as Jesus often did, seeking peace and refreshment. We will visit Nazareth, the place of Jesus’ upbringing, and share a Eucharist on the shores of the Sea at a place which commemorates the feeding of the 5000.
From Galilee we travel through Jordan to the Roman city of Jerash and Mount Nebo, from where Moses viewed the Promised Land, which he would never enter. We visit a newly excavated site by the River Jordan which lays claim to the location of Bethany beyond Jordan, where John the Baptist baptised Jesus. Then by way of relaxation we spend some time at the Dead Sea where we can float in the briny waters. Travelling further south on the ancient King’s Highway we visit Petra, a city of the dead built at around the time of Jesus.
Ultimately we enter Jerusalem, and see the many places associated with Jesus’ last days. We visit the museum of the Holocaust and Bethlehem, and walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the central church of Christendom, before walking down the Mount of Olives on Palm Sunday with 10000 other Christians from many different nations.
This place changes people. How we will be changed we do not know, but we look forward to sharing Easter with you when we return from our journey.
Please remember the pilgrims in your prayers.
The detailed itinerary is shown below . A daily blog is shown below and also a photo gallery. All of these are sent daily by Paul Fulbrook via his i-
A Pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel Led by the Revd Stephen Agnew
24 March — 6 April 2009
PROGRAMME
Tuesday 24 March JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND
We travel overnight by EL AL Israel Airlines from Heathrow to Tel Aviv. Flight LY 318 departs at 2230 hours and arrives at 0515 on Wednesday morning. Transfer to Tiberias.
Wednesday REST BY GALILEE
Early morning arrival and drive to Tiberias where we have a day to relax and acclimatise after our overnight journey. At noon we sail from out hotel over the Sea of Galilee to Nof Ginnosar kibbutz for lunch on the lakeside, sailing back midafternoon. Three night stay at the Ron Beach Hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Thursday THE LAKESIDE MINISTRY
We visit the sites associated with Jesus' life around the Sea of Galilee. We visit the ruins of Capernaum, Jesus' Galilean base, Mensa Christi (where Jesus appeared to his disciples after His resurrection) and celebrate the Eucharist on the shores of the lake at Tabgha beside the Church of the Loaves and Fishes. Lunch is at the Convent of the Beatitudes. After lunch, we drive north to the foothills of Mount Hermon to Caesarea Philippi one of the sources of the Jordan River.
Friday NAZARETH & MT TABOR
We drive to Mount Tabor where we visit the Church of the Transfiguration on the summit. We continue to Nazareth and visit the Nazareth Village which gives an insight into 1st Century life in the Galilee. We then have lunch at St. Margaret's Guest House. In the afternoon we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, the synagogue church and Mary's Well. We return to Tiberias through Cana, scene of Jesus first miracle.
Saturday TRAVEL INTO JORDAN
We drive into Jordan, crossing the border close to the site of Beth Shean. We visit the spectacular ruins of Jerash, the best preserved of all the Decapolis cities. Our visit to the excavations includes the oval forum, the colonnaded street and the theatre. We lunch in Jerash at the Green Valley Restaurant. In the afternoon we drive down to the Dead Sea. Two night stay at the Movenpick Hotel on the Dead Sea shore.
Sunday THE BAPTISMAL SITE OF JESUS
This morning we visit one of the most significant religious discoveries of the past century. Bethany beyond the Jordan is situated on the east bank of the Jordan River, and is the likely place where John the Baptist lived and preached and where he baptised Jesus: we have an opportunity to renew our baptismal vows and worship (Eucharist). After lunch here, we return to our hotel and the afternoon is free to enjoy the experience of floating in the Dead Sea.
Monday THE KINGS' HIGHWAY TO PETRA
We leave the Dead Sea and ascend Mount Nebo, the mountain where Moses viewed the Promised Land. On to Madaba where we see a famous mosaic map of the Bible Lands and a mosaic school with young people learning an ancient art. After lunch at Haret Jdoudna, we continue to Kerak Crusader castle, then through the dramatic desert scenery of the Kings Highway to Petra fora two night stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel excellently situated overlooking the ancient site.
Tuesday THE ROSE RED CITY OF PETRA
Petra's fame is well deserved and you will be struck by the scale of the site and the extraordinary beauty of the rock-
Wednesday RETURN TO ISRAEL
This morning we cross back in to Israel and visit Jericho where we lunch in Al Rawada garden restaurant before ascending to Jerusalem. Five night stay at the Golden Walls hotel ideally situated within walking distance of the Holy Sepulchre.
Wednesday RETURN TO ISRAEL
This morning we cross back in to Israel and visit Jericho where we lunch in Al Rawada garden restaurant before ascending to Jerusalem. Five night stay at the Golden Walls hotel ideally situated within walking distance of the Holy Sepulchre.
Thursday VIA DOLOROSA
We enjoy a panoramic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives and visit Pater Noster Church, Dominus Flevit chapel and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. We end our morning by the Pool of Bethesda. After lunch at the Ecce Homo convent (Eucharist), we follow the Via Dolorosa through the lanes of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, finishing the day at the Garden Tomb.
Friday YAD VASHEM & EIN KAREM
This morning we visit the Yad Vashem memorial to the Holocaust and the Church of John the Baptist together with the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem. After lunch in the Sisters of Sion Convent, we return to Jerusalem for vespers at the Armenian cathedral. We then walk down to the Western Wall as the Sabbath is beginning.
Saturday BETHLEHEM
We cross into Palestinian territory to visit Bethlehem. We visit the Al Shurooq School for the Blind supported by the McCabe Educational Trust and see the Shepherds Fields. After lunch in a "Shepherds Tent" setting we enter Manger Square and visit the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity and St Jerome's Caves.
PALM SUNDAY IN JERUSALEM
Morning worship at St George's Cathedral. We have lunch on the Mount of Olives at the Seven Arches Hotel and then join the annual Palm Sunday procession over the Mount of Olives and into the Old City of Jerusalem.
Monday 6 April HOMEWARD BOUND
The morning is free for last minute shopping or to prepare to return home. We lunch at our hotel and then drive to Ben Gurion Airport, checking-
