Church of the Annunciation

& St. Joseph's Church

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Introduction

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Welcome to the Church of the Annunciation and St. Joseph's Church. Many events from the Bible took place in this area. Here are some of the highlights.

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• Right here is where the Word (Jesus) would become flesh in Mary's womb.

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• Near the Church of the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel was sent to announce to Mary, who was a virgin, that she would be the mother of Christ, the Messiah.

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• The Church of the Annunciation and St. Joseph's Church mark the spots where Joseph and Mary would grow up.

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• It's believed that Jesus grew up at the site of St. Joseph's Church and learned the trade of building from his earthly father, Joseph.

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• We'll see two main sites here. First, we'll explore the Church of the Annunciation, where we'll discover six layers of history that reveal it as the authentic site of Mary's home and the area where the angel Gabriel told her she would be the mother of Jesus. Second, we'll explore St. Joseph's Church, where Joseph and Mary lived after returning from Egypt and where Jesus grew up.

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• We'll be walking all over the same places where Jesus would have walked.

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Location

 

1. Nazareth is about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of the Sea of Galilee and about 23 miles (37 km) inland from the Mediterranean Sea.

 

2. The Church of the Annunciation and St. Joseph's Church are in the center of the City of Nazareth, on Casa Nova Street. 

 

3. The Greek Orthodox Church is north of the Church of the Annunciation and is built over the town's spring, where tradition claims the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus.
 

Historical Background

 

1. Nazareth had an estimated population of around 300 during the time of Christ.

 

2. It was a small farming town where everyone knew each other.

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3. Nazareth had a bad reputation. 

Matthew 1:46: Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

 

Six Layers of Archaeological Evidence

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1. Home of Mary - 4 BC

A mikveh (a Jewish ritual bath) can be seen at this site. This shows that this home was Jewish and that those living here were faithful in obeying God. This would fit the description of Mary's family. Tradition holds that this home is in the cave grotto on the lower level of the Church of the Annunciation.

 

2. Judeo-Christian Synagogue - 100 AD

Christians began venerating Mary's home soon after Christ’s death and resurrection. The remains of a Judeo-Christian synagogue, including pottery shards, columns, column bases, capitals, cornices, decorated stones, cross symbols, and a remaining wall, provide evidence for this. Additionally, inscriptions with the names "Jesus" and "Rejoice Mary" were found. 

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The floor of this church was oriented towards the south, facing Jerusalem, a custom observed by all synagogues during the time of Christ.

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A Mosaic of the Crown from the Judeo-Christian Church was found. It features the letters of Christ's name encircled by a crown, reflecting the belief that Jesus was the King of Kings.

 

3. Byzantine Church 350 - 450 AD

Some believe that sometime around 340 AD, Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, commissioned the construction of the Church of the Annunciation, based on tradition and evidence she found at the site. An early tradition connects this holy site with Helena, Constantine’s mother. However, her role in building a church here is uncertain. The Byzantine church seems to date to around 450 AD.

 

The church was built over the remains of the Judeo-Christian synagogue. It was oriented toward the east, rather than south, toward Jerusalem. This was a common occurrence during this time period. 

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4. Crusader Church - 1100 AD

The church built in the Byzantine era (324-638 AD) was torn down by the Muslims in the 7th century AD. Upon the ruins of the Byzantine Church, the Crusaders built a Crusader Church (1105-1263). It was oriented to the east, as in the earlier Byzantine Church.

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5. Franciscan Church 1730 - 1877 AD

In 1620, the Franciscans purchased the ruins. The church was rebuilt again in 1730 and enlarged in 1877. 

 

6. Current Church 1955 - Present

In 1955, the Franciscan Church was demolished to make way for a new church. When the Franciscan Church was removed, excavations were conducted, yielding much of the archaeological evidence we see today.

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From 1955 to 1969, the church was rebuilt to its current status. It’s now a massive two-story basilica with a modern architectural style. When it was completed in 1969, it was the largest Christian church in the Middle East. 

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The church has two levels, each with a separate church. The upper level of the church is for Nazareth’s Catholic community. The lower level is centered on the grotto, which was Mary's home and the site of the Annunciation. The remnants of churches from the second century, the Byzantine era, and the Crusader era can be seen around the grotto.

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Places of Interest 

 

1. Outside the lower level of the basilica, there is a covered area with 43 mosaic panels from the countries that donated them.

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2. Statue of Mary – Her hands are blackened from people touching them so much.

 

3. Written in Latin across the facade over the triple-doorway entrance is the Bible verse: “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

 

4. The entryway doors to the Church have carvings of significant events in the Old and New Testaments.

 

5. The current church is a two-story building. The main entrance is on the lower level.

 

6. On the lower level is the grotto that is believed to be the original home of Mary and the place where the angel Gabriel appeared to her. The following archaeological evidence supports the claim that this site is the authentic home of Mary.

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• 4 BC - Home of Mary

  • Jewish Ritual Bath (Mikveh)

  • Cave home

• 100 AD - Judeo-Christian Synagogue

  • Mosaic of the Crown from the Judeo-Christian Church

  • Mosaic Floor

  • Carvings of Mary's name, Jesus' name, rejoice Mary, and cross symbols.

  • Columns, pottery, and other artifacts from this synagogue are in the museum here on site.

• 340 - 450 AD - Byzantine Church

  • Apse & walls 

  • Mosaic floor tiles of the Byzantine Church

  • Behind the altar are stairs leading to the grotto from the Byzantine Church

  • Four to six layers of plaster reveal flowers and plants.

• 1100 AD  - Crusader Church

  • Walls

  • Pillars

  • Three apses

• 1730 - 1877 AD - Franciscan Church

  • Altar ruins above the cave​

  • Wide steps leading to the cave

  • The church was enlarged in 1877

• 1955 - Present - Current Church

  • In 1955, the church from 1877 was torn down to make way for the new one. 

  • During this time, excavations were conducted to reveal much of what is seen today.

  • The current church was dedicated in 1969.

  • It has two levels. The lower level is to venerate the site, and the upper level is a functioning church.

  • The modern church only preserved two apses.​

  • The words written on an altar table at the front of the grotto mean, “Here the Word was made Flesh.”

  • It's the largest Christian Church in the Middle East.

 

7. The spiral stairs from the lower level to the upper level have Latin inscriptions on them.

 

8. Outside the upper level of the basilica are excavations of homes and buildings from the time of Christ.

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9. Large modern-day mosaic on the floor.

• The branching tree or vine: life coming from Christ and spreading to his people, recalling Jesus’ words, “I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5).

• The Jerusalem cross at the lower right: a large cross surrounded by four smaller crosses, associated with Christianity in the Holy Land.

• The emblem at the lower left appears to be the Franciscan symbol of two crossed arms beneath a cross, representing Christ and St. Francis.

 

10. Statue of Joseph with plaques.

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11. Model showing the layout of the compound.

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St. Joseph's Church

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Evidence supports the Church of St. Joseph as the authentic site of the home of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus after they returned from Egypt.

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First-Century AD Evidence

 

1. We have a mikvah dating back to the time of Joseph and Mary. This would support the idea that a very religious Jewish family lived here. The mosaic tiles were added to the mikvah later, most likely by early Christians around 100 AD or the Byzantines around 400 AD. 

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2. We have a cave-home complex under us where evidence of household items dating to the first century has been found. The caves, granaries, and wells in this lower level date to the early first century and were typical of what Mary and Joseph would have used.  Later, there is evidence that early Christians converted the site into a place of worship. This cave complex is quite humble. We can see a diagram showing its layout. To preserve and protect this cave-home, the public is not allowed free access. However, we can see part of it through this iron grill here, and we'll see the steps leading down to it in a moment.

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Fourth-Century AD Evidence​

Next, we see evidence of a Byzantine church built on this site around 400 AD. The apse at the front of this grotto has been restored and appears to date to this period. This was called the church of Nutrition (because Jesus was nurtured and grew up here). It was also called St. Joseph’s House. 

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Seventh-Century AD Evidence​

Travelers who visited this place in the 7th Century noted that it had been the site of the “Carpentry Shop of Joseph.”

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Twelfth-Century AD Evidence​

During the Crusader period, around 1125 AD, a Crusader Church was built over the site of the Byzantine church. Some remains of this church can be seen inside the new one. It was destroyed by the Arabs (1263 AD) after the Crusaders' defeat.

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Sixteenth-Century Evidence​

During the Ottoman period, the Franciscans acquired the ruins of the Crusader church in 1745, and the first chapel was built in 1754.

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Today's Church Evidence

The Franciscans rebuilt the church we see today in 1914, replacing the earlier churches and cave-home complex. 

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Life In a Town Like Nazareth During the Time of Jesus

 

1. Each family received its own allotment at the conquest of the Promised Land. They were born, raised, married, and died in their community.

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2. People did not move around. They stayed in their allotted lands. They could rent out their land, but it would return to the original owners every 50 years at Jubilee.

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3. Everyone knew one another very well, news traveled fast in the community, and nothing was a secret.

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4. When the children grew up, they would add rooms to the family structure. This entailed a central kitchen and living quarters with adjacent rooms. This is the meaning of John 14:2: In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

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5. When Mary became pregnant, it caused an uproar in the community.

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6. If God hadn't intervened, according to the Law, Joseph and Mary would have been stoned because of fornication. Or at least Mary would have been stoned. An investigation would have been conducted into Joseph.

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7. Life centered around the synagogue, and you were to keep your faith in God and His commands. The synagogue also functioned as a school and community meeting place.

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8. There was a lot of peer pressure to keep the faith. We see this in the example of Achan in the conquest of Jericho. The whole nation was held responsible due to Achan's sin. This was designed by God so everyone would keep track of one another.

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9. When any Israelite failed to keep the commandments of the Law, they were thrown out of the synagogue. This meant they lost their family, job, reputation, community connections, and friendships. 

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10 During the time of Jesus, if a person followed Jesus and trusted Him as their Lord and Savior, they would be thrown out of the synagogue. This is why Jesus said in Luke 14:26, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."

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11. This concept of community and peer pressure was applied to Joseph and Mary and threatened their very existence.

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12. Joseph was going to divorce Mary in an attempt to save his own life and that of Mary. In Jesus' time, even engaged couples were considered betrothed and married. They couldn't have sexual relations until the marriage was fulfilled, but they were considered husband and wife.

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13. All adult males were required to go to the temple in Jerusalem at least three times a year. The route most traveled from Nazareth ran through Samaria, as it was the fastest and most level. It would pass through Shechem, Shiloh, Bethel, and then to Jerusalem. 

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Nazareth in the Bible

 

1. Nazareth was the home of Joseph and Mary, and the place where the angel Gabriel was sent to announce to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Christ the Messiah. 

Luke 1:26-38: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

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2. Jesus was 100% God and 100% human.

Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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John 14:8-10: Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?

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Philippians 2:5-7: Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

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3. It's believed that Jesus grew up at the site of St. Joseph's Church today and learned the trade of a builder, which was passed on to Him from His earthly father, Joseph.

Luke 2:51-52: And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

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Faith Lesson from the Life of Mary

 

1. Mary was a righteous person whom God saw would honor and obey Him with the great gift of being the mother of Christ. Are we devoted to God in such a way that He would entrust to us abundant blessings?

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​2. Mary is not to be worshiped as some do, but is an example to us of a person of deep faith and obedience. Do we revere and honor Mary, or do we worship her?

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3. It was here that God would begin the process of becoming flesh by Mary becoming pregnant supernaturally. Jesus was 100% God and 100% human. By becoming human, He would die for our sins and identify with us, becoming our faithful High Priest.

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Hebrews 4:15-16: For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.