Israel: 6 Must See Sights for the Visiting Christian

Israel may be the homeland of the Jewish people, but many Christians visit, too. It’s a beautiful place, rich with history and spiritual connections. For the first timer, it can be overwhelming to decide what to do. But don’t worry, here are six things any Christian should check out on their first visit to the Holy Land.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is just one of the many places you should visit.

 

1) Bethlehem

The place that started it all! The gospels tell us that this is the town where Jesus was born. To get here, you can easily grab a taxi from Jerusalem. However, during the Christmas season, many Christians travel in a group on foot. Once there, you can visit one of the oldest churches in the world, The Church of the Nativity. It’s constructed on the cave where Jesus was born to Mary. You can also see Rachel’s Tomb, resting place of the wife of Jacob.

2) Nazareth

Another integral city to the life of Christ. It was here that our Savior grew up, worked, and studied. Once you arrive, be sure to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, a beautiful church built on the site where Mary first received the news that she was with Child. Another church worth noting is the Mensa Christi Church, where Jesus dined with the apostles after his Resurrection. For an experience you’ll never forget, step into Nazareth Village. It’s an historical reimagining of the hustle and bustle of Jesus’s hometown. The reenactors are dressed in traditional clothes, and perform tasks not unlike those done by Jesus and his peers.

3) The Jesus Trail

If you want to get a sense of the geographical space while still visiting the sites of major events from the life of Christ, check out the Jesus trail. It’s a hiking route that connects towns that have a shared connection with Jesus. Stops include Cana (the site of the first Miracle– water into wine),  Capernaum, and the Mount of Beatitudes, and Tabgha (where Jesus fed 5,000).

4) Qasr el Yahud

This small stretch of the Jordan River Valley holds great significance for Christians– it’s where Jesus was baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist. Some local traditions also consider it the place where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, and where Elijah was caught up into heaven. Today, beautiful marble steps descend to the water.

5) Bethsaida

This town is located in the far northwest of the country, on the Sea of Galilee. It was home to the apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip, and may have been home to brothers James and John (sons of Zebedee). It was a bustling fishing town, so it makes sense as to why Jesus would tell his disciples he would make them “fishers of men”. Not a bad gig, because many of them were already fishers by trade!

6) Jerusalem

No trip to the Holy Land would be complete without a visit to Jerusalem. There’s a wealth to see and do, so let’s just hit a few:

• Monastery of the Cross: A very small Greek Orthodox monastery. It’s completely surrounded by walls, and is built on the site of the trees from which were made Jesus’ Cross.
• The Church of the Holy Sepulchre: A site visited by Christians from all over the world! It is considered one of, if not the most, holy sites in Christianity. It’s the site that contains the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, as well as the last few stations of the cross. Naturally, you can expect it to get pretty crowded!
• The Biblical Zoo: Be sure to check out this zoo in west Jerusalem that houses some of the animals described in the Old Testament.

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4 of the World’s Most Beautiful Churches

What’s your favorite part of an old church? The domes, spires and columns? Or maybe it’s the arches, buttresses, or grounds? Whatever it may be, it’s hard not to be amazed by the hard work that went into the creation of these holy buildings. At the end of the day, church buildings are a beautiful place where all people can gather under one roof in the name of God, where we can serve Him and the community.

So, without further ado, let’s explore 4 of some of the most beautiful churches!

1) Basilique Cathédrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens

Located in Amiens, this cathedral is the tallest complete cathedral in all of France. It overlooks the Somme, and currently serves as the seat of the Bishop of Amiens. It’s a favorite subject of study by architects and art historians–and for good reason. There’s so much to see! 126 pillars support a massive interior, the largest in Western Europe. If you visit the church today, you may not think much about its white stone facade. But in the 1990’s it was discovered that the structure was actually painted with many vibrant colors!

2) Duomo di Milano

This Milan cathedral is the 5th-largest church in the entire world. What sets this particular one apart? The time it took to complete it! Ground broke in 1386 and it wasn’t formally finished until almost 600 years later, in 1965. The church actually has historical roots that stretch back to 335. However, in 1075, the old structures caught fire. In 1386, construction began on the current structure. Centuries of warfare, changes in aesthetic and architectural direction, and civil unrest set back full construction. Napoleon Bonaparte brought it to the edge of completion, and between the early 19th century and 1965, small details like spires and statues were finished.

3) Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is a museum now, but before that, it was a church. Most recognizable for its astonishingly large dome, the Hagia Sophia remained the world’s largest Cathedral for 1,000 years. Unlike the Duomo in Milan, the church was built in five years, from 532-537, under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. Earthquakes and fires damaged the columns and domes over the years, but the Church was always repaired and stands strong today. Mosaics depicting Jesus, Mary, and the apostles bring a most holy decoration to the sacred space.

4) Cathedral of St. John the Divine

At 232 feet, this church towers towards the heavens from New York City’s Morningside Heights neighborhood. It holds several distinctions, including largest cathedral, fourth largest church, and largest Anglican Church (depending on who you ask). However, it’s defining characteristic is the glacial pace at which it is being built– lending it the nickname “St. John the Unfinished”. Economic hardship and two World Wars have set back its completion. More recent years have seen the church use its funds for the higher priority of community service and charitable work. Unfinished or not, it’s still a sight to behold, and services are regularly held there. The church is a combination of several schools of architecture, including Gothic (as seen in the facade) and Byzantine (the dome). The grounds are also home to three peacocks and a hive of honey bees.

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