Google interactive maps, video maps, printable maps, books, models, writings, teachings, and other maps and resources about the Holy Land. Jerusalem, Sea of Galilee, Negev, Dead Sea, Nazareth, Capernaum, Masada. Maps of the Biblical Sites Maps for Purchase Map of Israel Map of Jerusalem Satellite Poster of Israel In the Footsteps of Jesus Map Sea of Galilee Booklet & Map Via Dolorosa Booklet & Map Posters & Maps in General Maps for Viewing Map of the Holy Land During the Time of Christ Website with Many Maps of the Holy Land and Surrounding Areas Map of Abraham's Journey to the Holy Land Map of the Travel Locations of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph Travels of Moses and the Children of Israel Location of the 12 Tribes of Israel in the Holy Land Harmony of the 4 Gospels (Chronological timeline of events of the Life of Jesus) Biblical Sites for Christian Visitors Booklet Great Website for photos and info on the Holy Land

The Tomb of Mary (mother of Jesus), also known as the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Mary, is located just a little north of the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley. Sites of interest include: Mary’s Chapel, Mary’s Tomb, Copt altar, Garden of Gethsemane, Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat), Temple Mount Mary's Tomb: The Mother of Jesus Photo Gallery Places of Interest Mary's Tomb, Mother of Jesus Introduction 1. The New Testament is silent regarding the death and burial of Mary, but strong Christian tradition places her tomb at this site. 2. Some Orthodox and Catholic churches teach that Mary died a natural death at her home on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the Dormition Abbey stands today. She was then laid to rest at her tomb at this site, and after three days, her body was taken up into heaven, and her tomb was found empty. Because there were no cemeteries near the Dormition Abbey at the time of her death, she was buried here. 3. Protestants believe Mary died a natural death and was buried at her tomb location here. 4. This building houses the Tomb of Mary. It is the underground crypt of a church that no longer exists. The room is dark, with walls blackened by centuries of smoke, giving it an ancient feel. Icons adorn the space, and numerous hanging oil lamps cast a soft glow over the tomb. 5. On the way down the steps, there are two chapels. On the left is the Chapel of Joseph (Jesus' earthly father), and on the right is the Chapel of Mary's parents, Hanna and Joachim. 6. It's a fascinating place with around 2,000 years of history. Let's explore and experience this site. Location The Tomb of Mary, also known as the Church of the Sepulchre of St. Mary, is located just a little north of the Garden of Gethsemane in the Kidron Valley. Right beside the Tomb of Mary Church is the Gethsemane Cave Complex. Historical Background 1. The New Testament is silent regarding the death and burial of Mary, but strong Christian tradition places her tomb at this site. 2. The church is in an underground rock-cut cave in the shape of a cross. A wide staircase leads down to the church. It is dimly lit and features blackish ceilings, a result of centuries of candle burning. 3. The church began as burial caves that were cut into rock in the 1st century. 4. These caves were later expanded in 455 AD into a cross-shaped church with Mary's Tomb in its center. 5. The large crypt containing the empty tomb in the church is all that remains of an early 5th-century AD church. 6. In the 6th century AD, an octagon-shaped church was built on the upper level, covering the tomb. However, the Persians destroyed it in 614. 7. During the Crusader period (1130), the church was rebuilt and included a Benedictine monastery called the Abbey Church of St. Mary of Jehosaphat. Saladin destroyed virtually everything in 1187 except the south entrance and staircase. 8. After the Crusaders left, the site was taken over by the Franciscans. Since then, Greeks, Armenians, Syrians, Copts, Abyssinians, and Muslims have shared it. 9. Muslims also worship here, and on the wall to the right of the Tomb of Mary is a mihrab niche, giving the direction of Mecca. It was installed after Saladin’s conquest in the 12th Century. 10. According to Catholic tradition, Mary ascended into heaven. Her tomb at this church is empty, but it serves as a shrine honoring this event. Protestants believe Mary died a natural death and was buried here as a result. Places of Interest 1. Gethsemane Cave Complex This is believed to be where Jesus and the disciples often stayed in Jerusalem, and where Jesus was arrested before His crucifixion. Eyewitnesses from the fourth and sixth centuries attest to the remains of original artifacts that this was the authentic place where the Gethsemane Press was and where Jesus was arrested the night before being crucified. 2. Church of the Sepulchre of S t. Mary The modern upper level of the church. Forty-seven steps lead down to the dimly lit church. Along the way down the steps, two chapels stand. On the left is the Chapel of Joseph (Jesus' earthly father), and on the right is the Chapel of Mary's parents, Hanna (Anna) and Joachim. Mary’s Chapel Mary’s Tomb Mary was buried in a bench-type tomb, similar to the one Jesus lay in. Around 455 AD, people carved away the rock around her tomb, leaving a naturally chiseled square building, or what we call an edicule, meaning "little house." This natural-stone edicule still surrounds Mary’s tomb today. Interestingly, this construction was almost identical to how Jesus’ original tomb was built centuries earlier—a tomb made of the natural stone that originally encased it. Copt Altar 3. Gethsemane 4. Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) 5. Temple Mount The Life of Mary in the Bible 1. Mary was a godly woman who had the privilege of being the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:26–31: Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 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 name Him Jesus. 2. Mary treasured the privilege of being Christ’s earthly mother. Luke 2:19: But Mary treasured all these things , pondering them in her heart. 3. Being the mother of Jesus would come with a high price. Luke 2:34–35: And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul —to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 4. Mary was an obedient woman, submitting to God and her husband in all things. Matthew 2:13: Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” 5. Because Christ’s earthly father, Joseph, is not mentioned after Christ was 12 years old, and because Christ entrusted the Apostle John with her care at His death, it appears she became a widow at an early age. John 19:25–27: But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. 6. Mary witnessed the crucifixion of her Son on the Cross. John 19:25: Therefore, the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 7. Mary continued to support the apostles and was part of serving the cause of Jesus after His resurrection. Acts 1:14: All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus , and his brothers. Faith Lesson from the Life of Mary 1. Mary was a deeply devoted woman to be honored, but nowhere in Scripture is she worshiped, nor are we commanded to worship or pray to her. 2 . The Lord highly favored Mary because of her love and obedience to Him. When we obey and seek the Lord, He favors us as well. 3. Our obedience doesn’t earn God’s love, but it does bring blessing and favor. 4 . We could learn a lot from the life of Mary and should emulate her faith and devotion to God.

Kadesh Barnea marks one of the most tragic moments in Israel's history. After witnessing countless miracles on a grand scale, the Israelites doubt God's power and are condemned to wandering in the wilderness for forty years as a result. Kadesh Barnea Photo Gallery Places of Interest Kadesh Barnea Location 1. Kadesh Barnea is located on the southern border area between Israel and Egypt. 2. It’s about 31 miles (51 km.) east of the Mediterranean Ocean and about 33 miles (53 km.) southwest of Beer Sheba. 3. Kadesh Barnea was the original place where God intended the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. 4. Today, a community lives at Kadesh Barnea, and the town retains its same name. Historical Background 1. At Kadesh Barnea, one of the most tragic events in Israel’s history happened. 2. It’s here they rebelled against God’s plan for them to enter the Promised Land. As a result, they were severely judged for their lack of faith and condemned to wander in the wilderness 40 years until those 20 years, and older, died. 3. The Israelites had seen many spectacular miracles. They saw 10 supernatural plagues God sent upon the Egyptians. They witnessed the first Passover wherein God spared the Israelites as they put blood from a lamb around the doors of their dwellings. They saw God open the hearts of the Egyptians so that they gave them many possessions. They experienced supernatural help to cross the Sinai Peninsula on eagle’s wings to reach the Aqaba finger of the Red Sea. They beheld a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide and protect them. They experienced the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (10.5 miles wide, 17 km.) in which they were approximately 2,500 ft. (762 m.) under sea level in the midst of the depths and mighty waters of the sea (Isa. 51:10). They saw God supernaturally provide water out of a rock at Rephidim. God helped the Israelites supernaturally defeat the Amalekites as Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses. They stood in fear and trembling as God sent fire and smoke upon Mt. Sinai when he gave them the Ten Commandments written on stone by His own finger. They received supernatural provisions of Manna and quail in the desert. 4. The Israelites had been bathed in miracles for well over a year from the time they left Egypt until the time they reached Kadesh Barnea. 5. They had seen enough miracles to be able to trust God for anything. 6. However, despite all the miracles they had witnessed, they viewed God as too weak to help them enter the Promised Land and rebelled against Him. Places of Interest 1. Kadesh Barnea 2. Egypt 3. Sinai Peninsula 4. Aqaba Finger of the Red Sea crossing 5. Rephidim 6. Mt. Sinai 7. Israel Kadesh Barnea in the Bible 1. Twelve spies were sent into the Promised Land from Kadesh Barnea to give a report. Numbers 13:1–3: Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 2 “Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers’ tribes, every one a leader among them.” 3 So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran at the command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the sons of Israel. 2. Ten Spies gave a report of the difficulty in possessing the land. Numbers 13:25–29: When they returned from spying out the land , at the end of forty days, 26 they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh ; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Thus, they told him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.” 3. Two spies (Joshua and Caleb) give a report of faith. Caleb is the spokesman. Numbers 13:30: Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.” 4. The 10 spies convince the people that they are unable to possess the land. Numbers 13:31–33: But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us .” 32 So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. 33 There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” 5. The Israelites rebel against God and decide to return to Egypt as slaves again. Numbers 14:1–4: Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt .” 6. Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb plead with the people not to rebel against God’s will for them. Numbers 14:5–10: Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. 6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” 10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the Lord appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel. 7. God threatens to destroy the Israelites and make a great nation out of Moses’ offspring. Numbers 14:11–12: The Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? 12 I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.” 8. Moses prays on behalf of the people (Num. 14:13–19). 9. God forgives the Israelites but still judges them. Numbers 14:20–38: So the Lord said, “I have pardoned them according to your word ; 21 but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. 22 Surely all the men who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, 23 shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who spurned Me see it. 24 But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. 25 Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys; turn tomorrow and set out to the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.” 26 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 27 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me. 28 Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; 29 your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. 30 Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 Your children, however, whom you said would become a prey—I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. 32 But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. 33 Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. 34 According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. 35 I, the Lord, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. In this wilderness they shall be destroyed, and there they will die.’” 36 As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report concerning the land, 37 even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. Faith Lesson from Kadesh Barnea 1. The reality of the judgment of God is sobering. God forgave the Israelites, but He did not remove the consequences of their disobedience. We frequently find this in Scripture, i.e., Moses striking the rock and David and his sin with Bathsheba. 2. There were approximately 1.2 million Israelites 20 years old and above who died in the desert over a 40-year period. This means there were 30,000 funerals per year, 82 funerals a day, and 7 funerals an hour. 3. God has written these examples in the Bible for our instruction today. Romans 15:4: For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction , so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 1 Corinthians 10:1–13: For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come . Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 4. Do I grumble and complain about God’s provision, trials, or difficulties He has sent my way? 5. Do I have faith that God can help me in whatever He has called me to do and be?

An in-depth look at the Bible events, location, and discoveries of ancient Bethsaida at the El Araj site. Peter, Andrew, and Philip were from this fishing town, and then later moved to Capernaum. This new location of Bethsaida has been recently discovered, and we believe it is the true location. Et-Tell site of Bethsaida has been the traditional location, and the El Araj site of Bethsaida is the new location with the best evidence biblically and archaeologically for the location of Bethsaida. Bethsaida Overview Photo Gallery New Location Photo Gallery Traditional Location Places of Interest Bethsaida Overview Introduction Welcome to Bethsaida. Several significant events from the Bible took place here. These are the highlights. 1. Bethsaida was a fishing village with several hundred inhabitants during the time of Christ. 2. At least 3 of the 12 disciples were from Bethsaida. John 1:44: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 3. It was one of the three towns Jesus cursed because the people there did not believe in Him after witnessing all His miracles. 4. It was a little distance south of Bethsaida where Christ fed the 5,000. 5. Not far from Bethsaida is where Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea. 6. Jesus healed a blind man at Bethsaida. 7. It is a natural site where you can swim in the Sea of Galilee, fish, or sit by its shore and think about all that happened here. Location 1. Currently, there are two leading candidates for the actual Bethsaida location. The first is the traditional site, which has been excavated since 1987. It sits on a hill, approximately 1.5 miles (2.25 km) from the high-water mark of the Sea of Galilee. Since no other sites were excavated besides this first one, it became the default site. The traditional site is known as Et Tell. A number of years ago, we did a video about the traditional site because at the time, it was the only site considered legitimate. However, we have revised our position and now believe that a new site, called El Araj, is the most suitable candidate for the actual location of Bethsaida. It is located at the high-water mark on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee, at the Jordan River inlet, and fits the biblical and historical records much better. 2. We know from the Bible that Bethsaida was in a desolate, remote place with little population. Luke 9:10: The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them, and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida. 3. The northwestern side of the Sea of Galilee was densely populated in Jesus’ time, but the northeastern side where Bethsaida was located was desolate. 4. Bethsaida was a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee. In fact, its name means “House of Fishing.” 5. In John 1:44, we find that at least 3 disciples were from here: “Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. ” We also know that at least Peter and Andrew were fishermen, so they lived in Bethsaida to be close to the sea. Historical Evidence Supporting the El Araj Site 1. Edward Robinson first identified the site of Et-Tell as the possible site of the Biblical Bethsaida in 1841. However, in 1888, Gottlieb Schumacher challenged Robinson’s proposed site because it was too far from the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. He proposed that El Araj was the proper location. 2. Like Schumacher, today some archaeologists and historians like Mordechai Aviam, Steven Notley, and Marc Turnage are not convinced the traditional site of Et Tell is the actual location of Bethsaida for two main reasons: The first problem concerns the distance from the Sea of Galilee to Et Tell. It is a considerable distance away and doesn’t align with the biblical, historical, and eyewitness accounts that clearly indicate Bethsaida was located right next to the sea. The traditional site is about 100 feet (30 meters) above the high-water level of the Sea of Galilee and about 1.5 miles (2.25 km) inland. They propose that the Sea of Galilee was approximately 16 feet (5 m) higher than the current high-water mark. It would have been impossible for the Sea of Galilee to have been at this level because it would have covered other known towns such as Magdala, Gennesaret, Capernaum, and the newly discovered site of Bethsaida, which existed during the time of Christ and are located right next to the high-water mark of the Sea of Galilee. All these would have been covered over with water. However, all the archaeology and ruins show otherwise. A dam was built in 1930 at the outlet of the Sea of Galilee, allowing Israel to regulate the flow of water. As a result, today the sea level can rise higher than it could have during the time of Christ. In recent years, due to heavy rainfall, the sea has risen higher than in previous years. However, as mentioned, during the time of Christ, the outlet prevented the sea from rising above the high-level watermark along the shoreline. Therefore, the traditional site of Et Tell has real problems as it is so far from the sea. The second problem concerns the scarcity of Roman archaeology at the traditional site of Bethsaida. Josephus, a Jewish historian, writes about how Bethsaida was converted into a Roman City in the first century AD and underwent urbanization. He says: "And to the village of Bethsaida [located] next to the lake of Gennesar [Sea of Galilee] Herod Philip granted the dignity of the city by [introducing] a multitude of inhabitants and other fortifications, and he called it Julias after the name of the daughter of the Emperor" (Antiquities of the Jews: 18:28). No substantial remains of a Roman settlement have been found at Et Tell. Its ruins are mainly from the time of King David and Solomon. It features an impressive six-chambered gate, a design common in Solomon's time. Jody Magnus, from UNC, speaks about the lack of Roman ruins at Et Tell. She says: "While the Iron Age remains at Bethsaida, or Et Tell, are monumental and impressive, the Roman period remains are very poor, and therefore, the site does not look like an urban center." For these two main reasons, some have questioned the traditional site of Bethsaida as the true site. We agree and now believe that the new site of El Araj is the true location of Bethsaida. 3. This “El Araj” site is also known by the locals by a different name. They call it "Bet Habek," which means "Habek House," and it was named after a Kurdish aristocrat who lived here in the 19th to 20th centuries. Some of the villa's ruins can still be seen today. 4. This site of El Araj is being excavated under the leadership of Professor Mordechai Aviam from the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology at Kinneret College, Israel. Dr. Steven Notley is the academic and historical director at the site. He is a professor from the New York City campus of Nyack College. Marc Turnage assists as well. The excavation process at el Araj began in 2014, when Marc Turnage organized a “shovel survey” under the leadership of Aviam Mordechai and Steven Notley. This involved digging and sifting the soil from several five-meter-by-five-meter squares to a depth of about a foot (30 centimeters). Archaeologists then collected and dated the pottery, glass, and coins they found to create a profile of the site and its settlement. It was determined that there was a settlement at el Araj for over a thousand years, spanning the Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Crusader periods—precisely the time frame of Bethsaida, according to historical sources. More serious excavations began in 2016 and continue to the present. 5. Now let’s look at some of the evidence that supports this site of El Araj as the best candidate for biblical Bethsaida. We will first examine the biblical accounts, then the eyewitness accounts, and finally the archaeological evidence, which aligns remarkably with the Bible and historical descriptions. Biblical account: According to the Bible, Bethsaida was located right beside the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus repeatedly traveled to and from it by boat. Historical and eyewitness accounts: As mentioned, Josephus, a Jewish historian, wrote about how Bethsaida was converted into a Polish or Roman City in the first century AD and urbanized. He wrote that Bethsaida was located next to the lake of Gennesar [Sea of Galilee], and that Herod Philip converted Bethsaida into a Roman polis and called it Julias after the name of the Emperor's daughter. Pliny the Elder, a first-century Roman writer, called Bethsaida “One of four lovely cities on the Sea of Galilee.” Later, Eusebius, in 305 AD, wrote about Bethsaida. He said, “The city of Andrew and Peter and Philip. It is located in the Galilee next to the lake of Gennesar" [Sea of Galilee]. Finally, we have a key testimony from Willibald, Bishop of Bavaria in 725 AD, that records the construction of a church at this site during the Byzantine period. "From Tiberias, they went around the sea by the village of Magdala to the village of Capernaum, where our Lord raised the prince’s daughter. And from Capernaum, they went to Bethsaida, from which came Peter and Andrew. There is now a church where previously there was a house.” Evidence of this church and a monastery has been discovered at this site. 6. From these biblical, historical, and eyewitness accounts, we learn the following about the location of Bethsaida: During the time of Christ, the community was predominantly Jewish. Peter, Andrew, and Philip originally lived in Bethsaida. It was located right beside the Sea of Galilee. Its name means fishing village. Jesus sailed to and from it regularly. Bethsaida was converted into a Roman Polis city in the first century and urbanized. It may be for this reason that Peter and Andrew left Bethsaida and moved to Capernaum. They didn't want to live in a Roman Polis city, which would have been secular, promoting many values they would oppose as Jews. Later, a Byzantine church was built over the home of Peter and Andrew in the fourth century, and it was still visible in 725 AD, as noted by Willibald. During the Crusader Period, it was venerated and used as a sugar plantation. 7. Archaeologists have divided El-Araj into several lettered excavation areas. These are separate trenches used to determine the size, history, and character of the ancient settlement. Area A – Church and Monastery: This is the main excavation area beside the ruins of the nineteenth-century Beit HaBek estate. Archaeologists uncovered a large Byzantine basilica with mosaic floors and Greek inscriptions, including one honoring Peter as “chief and commander of the heavenly apostles.” The excavators identify it as the Church of the Apostles, mentioned by the pilgrim Willibald in AD 725. Beneath the church and monastery are remains from the Roman period, including part of a bathhouse and walls dating as early as the first century AD. However, the discovery does not prove that a particular wall belonged to Peter’s actual house. Areas B and C – Roman Settlement: These trenches were opened away from the church to determine the size of El-Araj in Jesus' time. Area B, approximately 50 meters east of the original excavation, revealed Roman-period buildings, pottery, lamps, fresco fragments, and fishing-net weights. Area C, about 100 meters north of Area A, uncovered a private dwelling occupied between the first and third centuries AD, including coins, pottery, an oven, and fishing equipment. These discoveries show that El-Araj was an extensive fishing settlement rather than an isolated bathhouse. Area D – Earlier Jewish Village: This area contains Roman-period houses associated with fishermen. Finds include numerous lead fishing weights, stone vessels, coins, pottery, and a rare inkwell. At a deeper level, archaeologists found a wall, pottery, and a coin from the late Hasmonean period—approximately the late second or early first century BC. This suggests that the Jewish village existed before Herod Philip elevated Bethsaida to the status of a polis of Julias. Areas E and F – Boundaries and Public Buildings: Area E lies about 80 meters east of Area A and contains Byzantine walls that may belong to the monastery, with earlier Roman remains below. Area F was planned to investigate the settlement’s western limits and search for additional Roman houses or substantial structures. Together, these outer areas help archaeologists reconstruct the size and layout of Bethsaida-Julias. Taken together, the excavation areas reveal a Jewish fishing settlement from the New Testament period, evidence of Roman-style urban development, and a later Byzantine pilgrimage center. This combination is why El-Araj is presently considered one of the strongest—though still debated—candidates for ancient Bethsaida. 8. In summary, all the archaeological evidence points to the El Araj location as the actual site of Bethsaida. It fits better with the biblical narrative and the historical and archaeological evidence than the traditional site of Et-Tell. Archaeological Evidence at the Site of El Araj From the Jewish Settlement period, we find: Walls and plastering from the first century. Pottery Oil lamps First-century coins Stone vessels used by Jews in purification rituals. Limestone dishes and knife-pared Herodian lamps, which were only made in Jerusalem before 70 AD, provide clear indications of Jewish settlement at el-Araj. First-century homes are also found in area C. Lead fishing weights Galilean pottery Two capitals resembling those used in other early Roman synagogues were unearthed. A Lioness was found, a common occurrence in Jewish communities. From the Roman Period, we find: A key discovery from this period is a Roman Bathhouse with small tiles and mosaics. This bathhouse had an elaborate heating system and was used as a sauna. It proves Bethsaida was converted into a Roman Polis, as a bathhouse of this nature was not found in Jewish communities. The Roman Bathhouse dates back to the first century AD and confirms that the water level was precisely where the Bible indicates it would have been during Christ's time. Bethsaida and the other towns around the Sea of Galilee are on the shoreline, as the Bible and archaeology describe them. This discovery presents even more problems for the ET Tell site. Area C was opened in 2019 and reveals that Bethsaida was a large Roman city, as Josephus described it as Julia. A Roman coin from the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero, dating to 66 AD, was also discovered. In the fourth century AD, a Byzantine Church and monastery were built over the homes of Peter and Andrew. A 30-meter section of the monastery's Byzantine wall was discovered. A cross was discovered on a Byzantine vessel. The Church described by Willibald was discovered. It was quite elaborate, with mosaic floors. Individual gold-gilded glass tesserae are only found in wall mosaics of ornate churches. A Byzantine Frieze was found. The base of a chancel screen was discovered. In 2019, the excavation team stood side by side to form the outline of the Byzantine Church. In 2024, the Byzantine Church was fully exposed, and the monastery is planned for exposure in the coming years. Lastly, a Crusader presence is also found at this site. The following items have been discovered: Sugar bowls A glass vase piece A ring, among other discoveries. At the end of the 2019 excavations, a geophysical study was conducted in the vicinity, using electromagnetic sensors operated on the ground and from a drone. The results indicate that this site is quite large, and many houses and buildings are buried, waiting to be uncovered and tell their stories. Now, regarding this site of El Araj being the actual location of biblical Bethsaida, Dr. Steven Notley says: "Every day, the argument gets stronger and stronger. You know, we are preparing, we are coming to the point where you say there's no question now. The question mark is finished, we're on the site of Bethsaida, truly." Historical Background 1. Bethsaida was a fishing village with several hundred inhabitants during the time of Christ. 2. At least 3 of the 12 disciples were from Bethsaida. John 1:44: Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 3. Later, however, it appears that these disciples moved to Capernaum to be closer to where Jesus lived. Mark 1:21: And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching. Mark 1:28: And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Places of Interest 1. Et-Tell site of Bethsaida – Traditional Location 2. El Araj site of Bethsaida – New Location 3. Feeding of the 5,000 4. Approximate place Jesus walked on the water. 5. Capernaum Bethsaida in the Bible 1. Philip, Andrew, and Peter were from Bethsaida (John 1:44). 2. Jesus healed a blind man at Bethsaida. Mark 8:22–25: And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again ; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 3. Bethsaida was one of the three towns Jesus cursed because the people there did not believe in Him after witnessing all His miracles. Matthew 11:21: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 4. It was near Bethsaida, where Christ fed the 5,000. Luke 9:10–17: When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. 5. Not far from Bethsaida is where Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea. Mark 6:45–51: Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night [the last watch before dawn], he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded. Faith Lesson from Bethsaida 1. Like the healing of the blind man, Jesus often heals in different and strange ways. Do we have faith and trust in God regardless of how or if He chooses to heal? 2. Christ cursed the town of Bethsaida because its inhabitants were apathetic, showed unbelief in Christ, and chose not to follow and obey Him. Are we often slow to trust and obey Christ as well? 3. Christ fed the 5,000 in the area of Bethsaida to reveal He was the true bread of life from heaven and that His Word is our spiritual food. In the same way there were 12 baskets of food left over, Christ, as our Bread from Heaven, is also abundant and overflowing in feeding us spiritual food through His Word. Are we eating daily and finding our life in the authentic Bread of Life? 4. Not far from Bethsaida, Jesus walked on the water and calmed the sea. Am I finding rest and peace in Jesus in the midst of my personal storms of life? Isaiah 26:3–4: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Learn about Gath (Tel es-Safi) and the 5 cities of the Philistines. What all happened in Ashdod? What is its history? Who were the Philistines, where did they come from, and where did they live? They are mentioned in many places in the Old Testament and were the enemies of the Israelites. The Other Cities Were: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron. Biblical Gath: City of Giants Photo Gallery Places of Interest Gath Introduction Rising from the rolling hills of southern Israel lies Tel Gath, the ancient Philistine stronghold once known as the hometown of Goliath, the giant warrior who faced young David in the Bible. This sprawling archaeological site, one of the largest in the region, was a center of power, culture, and fierce battles more than 3,000 years ago. Legends of towering warriors and biblical clashes echo through its ruins, while excavations continue to uncover massive fortifications, pottery, and even inscriptions that point to its storied past. Visiting Tel Gath is like stepping into the pages of the Bible, where history and myth blend in the very soil beneath your feet. Location 1. Gath (Tel Es-Safi) is located about 17 miles (28 km) east of Ashkelon. The word Gath means “winepress.” Historical Background 1. Gath was one of the five main cities of the Philistines (Josh. 13:3; 1 Sam. 6:17). 2. The site is a large, multi-period site that is made up of many layers. Each layer represents a distinct phase in the site's history. 3. Tel Es-Safi has a long history of settlement. The site was first settled sometime around 5000 BC. It has been continually settled until modern times. The last settlement there was an Arab village that was abandoned during the Israeli War of Independence in 1948. 4. It was a well-fortified walled city (2 Chron. 26:6). 5. Joshua and the Israelites were unable to conquer Gath despite the numerous conflicts between the Israelites and the inhabitants of Gath. 6. It wasn’t until King David that the city was conquered and became part of the Israelite Kingdom (1 Chron. 18:1). 7. Its name is most remembered as the home of the giant, Goliath, whom David slew (1 Sam. 17:4). Giants in the Bible What do we know about them from the Bible? 1. In the lower excavations of this Tel, they have discovered rooms that are twice the size of what would be normal. Is this evidence that giants once inhabited this area? 2. The Bible describes several groups of giants, including the Nephilim, Anakim, Rephaim, Emim, and Zamzummin. 3. The Nephilim , mentioned in Genesis and Numbers, are a mysterious group often interpreted as the offspring of "sons of God" and human women. 4. The Anakim and Rephaim are powerful, tall people the Israelites encountered in Canaan, with Goliath being a famous example of a giant descended from this lineage. While some interpretations view these giants as the result of a supernatural union, others consider them to be exceptionally large and powerful humans. One account in the Bible that refers to the Rephaim speaks of Og, King of Bashan: Deuteronomy 3:11 describes his massive bed: "Only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed was an iron bed and was nine cubits long and four cubits wide [about 13.5 feet long, 4 meters, and 6 feet wide, 2 meters], according to the common cubit." This implies a man of truly enormous stature. The Emim , as found in Deuteronomy 2:10-11, are described as "a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakim," and Emim. These were also giants who formerly inhabited the land of Moab. The last set of giants, known as the Zamzummin , as found in Deuteronomy 2:20, were similar to the Emim. They were giants who lived in the land of Ammon before the Ammonites inhabited it. Gath in the Bible 1. It has archaeological remains that are unusual, revealing that giants once lived here. This is affirmed by the Bible. 1 Chronicles 20:8: These were descended from the giants in Gath , and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. It was also the hometown of the warrior Goliath, who appears in the Bible. 2. It was one of the Philistine cities where the Ark of the Covenant resided before being taken to Ekron. 1 Samuel 5:8: So they sent word and gathered all the governors of the Philistines to them, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” And they said, “Have the ark of the God of Israel brought to Gath .” So they took the ark of the God of Israel away. 3. Goliath, the giant that young David slew, was from Gath. 1 Samuel 17:4: Then a champion came forward from the army encampment of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath . His height was six cubits and a span. 4. When King Saul was seeking to kill David, David went to Gath to hide from Saul and acted like a crazy person because he feared the king of Gath. 1 Samuel 21:10-15: Then David set out and fled that day from Saul, and went to Achish king of Gath . 11 But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing of this one as they danced, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” 12 David took these words to heart and greatly feared Achish king of Gath . 13 So he disguised his sanity while in their sight and acted insanely in their custody, and he scribbled on the doors of the gate, and drooled on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is behaving like an insane person. Why do you bring him to me? 15 Do I lack insane people, that you have brought this one to behave like an insane person in my presence? Shall this one come into my house?” 5. Later, when King Saul was again pursuing David to kill him, David fled and lived in Gath for a while. 1 Samuel 27:2-3: So David set out and went over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath . And David lived with Achish in Gath , he and his men, each with his own household—David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s widow. Faith Lesson from the Philistines 1. While Gath proved to be a safe haven for David to flee to in times of need, it was still an enemy territory of the Israelites. Do we fear things and seek refuge in the wrong places instead of fully trusting in God for our safety and protection? 2. Gath and its idolatry represented all that was opposed to the nation of Israel, just as the Bible presents this world’s system as all that is opposite to God’s will for us. Are we in danger of loving this world's system and all it has to offer instead of God's kingdom and what it has to offer? 1 John 2:15–17: Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever. 3. This present world is our home for now, but we are called to live in this world as sojourners and ambassadors, not participating in the world’s evil. We should understand that our true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Are we living in the world but not participating in its evil? And do we realize that our true citizenship and home is in heaven?

Christ In Prophecy (Lion & Lamb Ministries) Holy Land Videos on HolyLandSite.com Christ In Prophecy Videos

Rising above Mount Zion with its great round church, conical roof, and tall bell tower, Dormition Abbey is one of Jerusalem’s most recognizable Christian landmarks. According to an ancient Christian tradition, this is where Mary, the mother of Jesus, completed her earthly life and “fell asleep” in death. The Dormition Abbey Photo Gallery Places of Interest The Dormition Abbey Introduction Welcome to the site of the Dormition Abbey. We are located just outside the Old City of Jerusalem, in what's today known as Mount Zion. 1. Rising above Mount Zion with its great round church, conical roof, and tall bell tower, Dormition Abbey is one of Jerusalem’s most recognizable Christian landmarks. 2. According to an ancient Christian tradition, this is where Mary, the mother of Jesus, completed her earthly life and “fell asleep” in death. 3. The church standing today is modern, but beneath it are the remains of Byzantine and Crusader churches that preserved Christian worship on this hill for centuries. 4. As we enter, we will see magnificent mosaics, biblical symbols, and a peaceful crypt that honors Mary—not as the source of salvation, but as the faithful servant who believed God’s Word, followed Christ through suffering, and remained with His disciples in prayer. 5. Adjacent to the Dormition Abbey is the Upper Room. 6. Let's explore this site and contemplate the events that many believe happened here. Location 1. Dormition Abbey stands on the hill now called Mount Zion, immediately south of Jerusalem’s Old City walls and only a short walk from Zion Gate. 2. It is beside the traditional complex containing the Upper Room, or Cenacle, and the traditional Tomb of David. The church’s approximate coordinates are 31.7722° N, 35.2290° E. 3. From the entrance to Zion Gate, walk south toward the prominent round church and detached bell tower. Because the abbey dominates the Mount Zion skyline, it is difficult to miss. 4. An important point about the name “Mount Zion.” In the Old Testament, Zion originally referred to the Jebusite fortress captured by David on Jerusalem’s southeastern hill—the area now called the City of David. Later, Zion could refer to the Temple Mount or Jerusalem as a whole. In the Byzantine period, Christians began applying the name to the southwestern hill of Jerusalem, where Dormition Abbey stands today. Therefore, the modern Mount Zion is not the original hill called Zion in 2 Samuel 5. What Does “Dormition” Mean? 1. The word dormition comes from the Latin dormitio, meaning “sleep” or “falling asleep.” Early Christians commonly used sleep as a respectful description of a believer’s death because they believed the body would one day be raised. 2. Dormition Abbey therefore commemorates the traditional place where Mary fell asleep in death. It is not presented as her tomb. 3. According to the Jerusalem tradition, Mary completed her earthly life on Mount Zion. The apostles carried her body from Zion across Jerusalem. She was buried in the Kidron Valley near Gethsemane. The Church of the Tomb of Mary, below the Mount of Olives, commemorates her burial. 4. The New Testament does not describe Mary’s death, funeral, burial, or assumption. Its final explicit reference to her places her in Jerusalem, praying with the apostles and other believers after the ascension of Jesus: “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus” (Acts 1:14). 5. Dormition and Assumption The two terms are related but emphasize different aspects: Dormition emphasizes Mary’s peaceful death or “falling asleep.” Assumption refers to the Catholic belief that, at the completion of her earthly life, Mary was taken into heavenly glory, body and soul. 6. The Eastern Orthodox tradition teaches that Mary died before being glorified. 7. The Catholic definition issued by Pope Pius XII in 1950 says that Mary, “having completed the course of her earthly life,” was assumed body and soul into heaven. The wording does not formally settle the question of whether she died immediately beforehand. 8. The Bible does not tell us what happened at the end of Mary’s life, so we're not certain exactly what happened. However, this place does give us an opportunity to remember the biblical Mary—her faith, obedience, suffering, and devotion to Christ. Historical Background 1. The Apostolic Period Acts 1 places Mary with the apostles in Jerusalem following Christ’s ascension. The disciples were gathered in an upper room, praying as they waited for the Holy Spirit. Christian tradition eventually associated that upper room with this part of Mount Zion. The Bible does not explicitly say that Mary owned a house here, lived here permanently, or died here. The connection grew from the larger tradition identifying this district with the Upper Room and the early Jerusalem church. 2. The Byzantine Hagia Sion By the late fourth or early fifth century, a great Christian basilica known as Hagia Sion, meaning “Holy Zion,” stood in this area. It became one of Byzantine Jerusalem’s most important churches. Hagia Sion was associated with several biblical and traditional events, including: the Last Supper, the appearance of the risen Jesus to His disciples, Pentecost, the early Jerusalem church, and the death or Dormition of Mary. The church appears prominently on the sixth-century Madaba Map. Archaeological work indicates that an affluent Byzantine neighborhood, containing mosaic floors and even a bath complex, grew around the sanctuary. Hagia Sion was severely damaged during the Persian conquest of Jerusalem in AD 614. It was subsequently repaired or rebuilt in various forms. Excavations reported in 2024 uncovered another portion of the Byzantine complex, including part of the church’s narthex and a freshwater channel that may have supplied an atrium or courtyard. Archaeologists can reconstruct only part of the church because much of it lies beneath existing religious buildings and cemeteries. These discoveries confirm that the modern abbey occupies part of a significant Byzantine Christian complex. 3. The Crusader Church During the twelfth century, the Crusaders built a much larger church called Santa Maria in Monte Sion—Saint Mary on Mount Zion. It incorporated the traditions of the Upper Room, the early church, Pentecost, and Mary’s Dormition. The Crusader complex was damaged following Saladin’s conquest of Jerusalem in 1187 and gradually disappeared over the following century. Portions of the medieval structures survived in or beneath the present Upper Room and Dormition Abbey complexes. 4. Modern Dormition Abbey Era For centuries, the location remained largely a field of ruins beside the Muslim shrine known as Nabi Dawud, the traditional Tomb of David. Local Christians continued to venerate two stones as remains from Mary’s house. When the modern church was built, these stones were placed on the exterior of the bell tower at ground level. They remain devotional objects rather than scientifically identified first-century remains. In 1898, German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II visited Jerusalem. Through negotiations with Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II, he obtained the Mount Zion property and transferred its use to the German Association of the Holy Land. The cornerstone was laid on October 7, 1900. The crypt was completed and dedicated in 1904, the first German Benedictine monks arrived in 1906, and the complete church was consecrated on April 10, 1910. The Cologne architect Heinrich Renard designed the complex. Local workers from different religious, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds participated in its construction. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Israeli forces controlled Mount Zion while Jordanian forces controlled the Old City immediately to the north. The abbey stood beside the front line and sustained serious damage. The sleeping figure of Mary in the crypt lost much of its original silver and gilded covering, and damage remains visible in parts of the church. From 1948 until 1967, the bell tower overlooked the divided city. Following the Six-Day War in 1967, Zion Gate reopened, and the monks could again walk directly into the Old City. Today, the abbey is an active Benedictine monastery and a center of prayer, theological education, ecumenical encounter, and dialogue with Judaism and Islam. Architecture of Dormition Abbey 1. The church is built in a Neo-Romanesque style, combined with Byzantine-inspired mosaics and Middle Eastern architectural elements. 2. Its massive circular form, small towers, thick stone walls, rounded arches, and conical roof give it the appearance of both a church and a fortress. The exterior was partly inspired by Worms Cathedral in Germany, while the interior arrangement was influenced by Charlemagne’s Palatine Chapel at Aachen. 3. The building has two principal levels: The bright upper basilica is used for worship. The lower circular crypt commemorates Mary’s Dormition. The detached bell tower gives the complex its distinctive skyline. The abbey’s original four bells were cast in 1909. Two smaller bells were added and consecrated in April 2025, bringing the total to six. One of the new bells was dedicated especially as a prayer for peace in the Holy Land. Places of Interest 1. The exterior view. The round central church The conical metal roof The four corner turrets The detached bell tower The contrast between the abbey and the nearby medieval Upper Room complex The building looks ancient, but it was completed in 1910. Its architects deliberately gave it a Romanesque, fortress-like appearance to connect modern pilgrims with Jerusalem’s Byzantine and Crusader Christian past. Damage to the surrounding walls and Zion Gate from the fighting of 1948. 2. The upper church and circular design. The upper church feels spacious because of its round central plan. Light enters through high windows, illuminating the limestone walls, floor mosaics, side chapels, and golden apse. The circular design draws the visitor toward the center. The church’s decoration combines themes of: Creation, the Trinity, Israel’s prophets, the apostles, Mary, and Christ as the center and light of the world. 3. The great floor mosaic. The elaborate floor mosaic was designed by the Benedictine monk Mauritius Gisler and completed in 1932. At its center are three intertwined rings, symbolizing the Trinity. Moving outward, the design includes prophets, apostles, evangelists, the months of the year, and signs of the zodiac. The zodiac is not being used for astrology. In this setting, it represents the created order, the movement of time, and the entire universe under God’s authority. The surrounding inscription draws from Proverbs 8:23–25, describing divine wisdom existing before the depths, springs, and mountains. The mosaic proclaims that God stands at the center of creation, history, revelation, and time. Everything begins in Him and is held together by Him. 4. The apse mosaic of Mary and Jesus. Above the principal altar is a large golden mosaic of Mary holding the child Jesus. Mary is not the ultimate center of the mosaic. She presents Christ, who holds an open book and identifies Himself as the light of the world. Old Testament prophets surrounding the scene point toward the promised Messiah, with special emphasis on Isaiah 7:14. The mosaic was created by Brother Radbod Commandeur shortly before the Second World War. The lower marble decoration was never completed because the intended materials were destroyed by wartime bombing in Germany. Notice that Mary’s purpose in the mosaic is to present Jesus. This reflects the clearest biblical role of Mary: she receives Christ by faith, brings Him into the world, and directs attention toward Him. 5. The side chapels. The circular church contains several decorated side chapels. Their mosaics reflect different biblical themes, saints, Christian nations, and Benedictine traditions. As you walk around, notice: Different artistic styles, Biblical figures, National symbols, Images of Mary from different cultures, and the way Christian communities from many countries contributed to one sanctuary. Some chapels and altars were supported by Christian communities in countries such as Hungary, Austria, Brazil, the United States, Ivory Coast, and others. The international artwork illustrates how Mary is honored across many cultures. 6. The stairs into the crypt. The atmosphere changes as visitors descend. The bright upper church gives way to a lower, more intimate chamber. The crypt is not a first-century room preserved intact. It is a modern sacred space constructed to commemorate the tradition of Mary’s final moments. Its round shape and surrounding columns create the impression of gathering around a deathbed. Ask your group to enter quietly because pilgrims frequently pray here. 7. The sleeping figure of Mary At the center of the crypt lies a life-sized wooden and ivory representation of Mary in repose. The figure was created by Brother Radbod Commandeur. Mary’s face is peaceful, presenting death not as terror but as rest in the presence of God. The original garment was decorated with silver and gold, but much of it disappeared during the fighting and occupation of the building in 1948. Damage to the face and hands also had to be repaired. The statue is not intended to be Mary’s physical tomb or actual body. It is a devotional representation of the Christian belief that she completed her earthly life in faith. 8. Christ and the six Old Testament women. Look directly above the sleeping figure. In the dome, Christ appears with open arms, welcoming His mother. He is surrounded by six women from the Old Testament: Eve: Mother of humanity; often contrasted with Mary in Christian theology. Miriam: Sister of Moses, who celebrated Israel’s deliverance. Ruth: Faithful foreign woman included in the ancestry of Jesus. Esther: Queen who risked her life to save her people. Jael: A woman involved in Israel’s deliverance from an enemy. Judith: Jewish heroine from the deuterocanonical book bearing her name. Together, they represent courageous women through whom God preserved, protected, or advanced His purposes. The mosaic places Mary within the larger story of God working through faithful women. 9. Byzantine and Crusader remains. Parts of the ancient churches lie beneath or near the modern abbey. Some archaeological remains and mosaic fragments have been displayed around the complex, though access and visibility can vary. These remains verify the antiquity of Christian worship here. They do not identify a first-century bedroom or prove that Mary died at the exact spot beneath the crypt. Mary in the Bible 1. Matthew 1:18–25: Mary conceives Jesus through the Holy Spirit; Joseph obediently receives her as his wife. 2. Luke 1:26–38: Gabriel announces that Mary will give birth to the Messiah. Mary submits herself to God’s will. 3. Luke 1:39–45: Mary visits Elizabeth, who blesses her for believing God’s promise. 4. Luke 1:46–55: Mary’s Magnificat praises God as Savior and celebrates His mercy and faithfulness. 5. Luke 2:1–20: Mary gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem and reflects on the shepherds’ testimony. 6. Luke 2:19: Mary treasures and ponders the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. 7. Luke 2:22–35: Simeon announces that Jesus will bring salvation but warns Mary that a sword will pierce her soul. 8. Luke 2:41–52: Mary and Joseph find the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple. Mary continues pondering these events. 9. John 2:1–11: At Cana, Mary brings the need to Jesus and tells the servants to do whatever He says. 10. Matthew 12:46–50: Jesus teaches that a spiritual relationship with Him is based on doing the Father’s will. 11. Luke 11:27–28: Jesus emphasizes that true blessedness belongs to those who hear and obey God’s Word. 12. John 19:25–27: Mary remains near the cross while Jesus entrusts her care to the beloved disciple. 13. Acts 1:12–14: Mary joins the apostles and other believers in united prayer before Pentecost. 14. Galatians 4:4–5: God sent His Son, born of a woman, to redeem those under the Law. Faith Lesson from the Dormition Abbey 1. Dormition Abbey honors Mary’s final rest, but the greatest lesson from Mary’s biblical life is not how she died. It is how she lived. What about us? Are we living for Christ as Mary did? 2. Mary listened when God spoke: “May it be done to me according to your word” ( Luke 1:38). What about us? Are we at peace with the will of God in our lives, even if we don't fully understand or agree with it? 3. She praised God as her Savior: “My soul exalts the Lord , and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior ” (Luke 1:46–47). What about us? Do we exalt God and rejoice in Him as our Savior? 4. She pondered God’s work when she did not fully understand it: “Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart ” (Luke 2:19). What about us? Do we glorify God even though we don't understand all He is doing? 5. She remained faithful during suffering. Simeon had warned her that a sword would pierce her soul, and years later she stood near the cross as her Son was crucified. What about us? Are we faithful to God in the midst of our sufferings and trials? 6. She directed people toward Jesus: “Whatever He says to you, do it ” (John 2:5). What about us? Do we direct people to Jesus and encourage them to obey and love Him? 7. And after Christ’s resurrection and ascension, she joined the other believers in prayer: “These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:14). What about us? Have we joined a Bible-believing church that honors God in Scripture and prayer?

Bible Videos, books, teachings, Holy Land Tour Trips, maps, and more about why Israel is so unique and unlike any other country. Why Israel Is So Unique Israel – God’s Chosen Land Israel . . . Land of the Bible . . . Land of Faith . . . the Holy Land, revered throughout recorded history as the cradle of monotheistic religion. For a person of faith whose beliefs are rooted in the Bible, there is no place on earth like the Holy Land. In this narrow strip of land lies the source of religious belief of much of mankind. Here, amongst the barren hills and fertile plains, man’s spirit learned to soar and from here a new message went out to all the world: “. . . and many peoples shall come, and say, “Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion (Hill next to Jerusalem) will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3,4). The unique factor about the Holy Land is its special location in the World. Situated as it is, straddling the divide between Africa and Asia, the area has almost always been a battleground. Wave after wave of conquerors poured into it, anxious to control the strategic trade routes linking the centers of the ancient world. It’s not by accident that it’s virtually in the center of the world. In God’s master plan of creation, He decided to place Israel exactly in the center of His creation. Located on a tiny land bridge between Africa and Asia, there is no other way to get between the two of them except through Israel. It’s located on the crossroads of the world. Whoever wanted to trade between the two continents, or control the known world, had to conquer and control Israel. For this reason, there have been more wars and events that have taken place in Israel than any other country on earth. God positioned Israel in its unique location in order to influence the world and be on “Center Stage” so all of creation would know that He alone is God. For nearly 2,000 years, Christian visitors from all over the world have come to the Holy Land, the land of their spiritual heritage. With Bible in hand, they have walked the places Jesus walked and prayed in the places He preached and prayed. For Christians, Israel is a place like no other. It provides them a one of a kind opportunity to experience the land of the Bible, to deepen their faith, and to be spiritually transformed for a lifetime.

See the Pools of Bethesda, the place where an amazing miracle of a lame man was healed. Nearby is the Church of St. Anne, which is the believed place where Mary, the mother of Jesus, was born. Sheep Gate, Antonia Fortress, Temple Mount, Church of St. Anne, Old City Jerusalem. Pools of Bethesda & St. Anne Church Photo Gallery Places of Interest Pools of Bethesda & St. Anne Church Introduction Welcome to the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne Church. 1. It was a place where many came to be healed during the time of Jesus. 2. It's where Jesus healed a sick man who had been going to this pool for 38 long years in the hope of being cured. 3. The church here marks the location believed to be where Mary’s parents, Anne and Joachim, lived, and where Mary, the mother of Jesus, was born. 4. Around 700 BC, during the reign of King Hezekiah, a large water storage pool was built here to capture water from the area for the purification and animal preparations of the temple. 5. Later, around 150 BC, the Hasmoneans built another pool beside the first one. The first pool became known as the Northern Pool, and the second as the Southern Pool. 6. Both these pools had water flowing in and out. This means they had what is known as "Living Water" in them. 7. These pools, also used as mikvahs, were near the Temple Mount, and a gate known as the sheep gate led up to it. 8. During the Greek reign around 200 BC, before the birth of Christ, healing baths were built here dedicated to the Greek false god Asclepius. 9. These are the highlights of the points of interest we'll see here. The Pools of Bethesda The ruins of the different churches and shrines that were built here. The Church of St. Anne 10. Let's explore and experience this site. Location 1. The Pools of Bethesda are located on the property of the Church of St. Anne. 2. The Church of St. Anne is located just inside the Lions’ Gate at the eastern entrance of the Old City. 3. The Church of St. Anne is known for its extraordinary acoustics, and visitors singing hymns of praise to God can often be heard there. 4. The ruins of the Jewish, Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader eras are still well preserved at the Pool of Bethesda. Historical Background 1. The Pools of Bethesda mark the place where a sick man was healed. 2. Bethesda means “House of Grace” and has been associated with a place of healing for many years. According to the Gospel of John, Bethesda was a bathing pool with five porticoes or porches. The ruins of some of these porticoes can still be seen today. 3. It should be noted that the pool that can be seen today is the corner of the southern pool. You will also note that it is significantly below the city level today. That is because Jerusalem is really a large tel. A tel is something that develops and grows in height as one civilization builds upon another. Therefore, since the time of Christ, the city has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. That is why the pool is below the surface of the city today. 4. Around 700 BC, during the reign of King Hezekiah, a large water storage pool was built here to capture water from the area for the purification and animal preparations of the temple. 5. Later, around 150 BC, the Hasmoneans built another pool beside the first one. The first pool became known as the Northern Pool, and the second as the Southern Pool. Both pools were approximately 43 feet, or 13 meters, deep. 6. Both these pools had water flowing in and out. This means they had what is known as "Living Water" in them. 7. These pools, also used as mikvahs, were near the Temple Mount, and a gate known as the sheep gate led up to it. 8. Small healing baths, part of an Asclepeion (a temple to the Greek god of healing, Asclepius), were constructed to the east of the main pools by the Romans as early as around 50 BC. 9. This complex was later expanded into a large temple to Asclepius and Serapis by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century AD. 10. When the Roman Emperor Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as Aelia Capitolina in 135 AD, he built a large temple to Asclepius and Serapis, the Greek false gods of healing and believed deities. 11. After Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, the temple Hadrian had erected was torn down, and a large Byzantine basilica was built over its ruins around 450 AD. 12. Close to the Byzantine Basilica was a grotto dedicated to the believed place where Mary’s parents, Anne and Joachim, lived, and where Mary, the mother of Jesus, was born. 13. In 614 AD, the Byzantine Basilica was destroyed by the Persians. Later, in 1138 AD, the Basilica of St. Anne was erected over the grotto site, which the Crusaders believed to be the birthplace of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The church is dedicated to Anna and Joachim, who, according to tradition, lived here, and the site where their daughter, Mary, was born in a cave located under the basilica. It is one of the most preserved Crusader churches in Israel. 14. The New Testament says nothing about Mary's birthplace. However, an ancient tradition recorded in the apocryphal Gospel of James, which dates back to around AD 150, places the house of Anne and Joachim near the temple area. 15. Three episodes from the life of Mary are depicted at the front of the high altar in the Church of St Anne: (1) the Annunciation on the right, (2) the Descent of Jesus from the Cross in the center, and (3) the Nativity of Jesus on the left. On the left-hand side of the altar is an illustration of Mary's education by St Anne. On the right-hand side is a portrayal of the Presentation of Mary at the temple. A flight of stone steps descends from the south aisle to the crypt. This cave is believed to be the supposed site of the house of Anne and Joachim, as well as the birthplace of Mary. Here, in a tiny chapel with a domed ceiling, an altar is dedicated to the birth of Mary. 16. In 1192 AD, after the fall of the Crusader Kingdom, Saladin turned the church into a theological school for the study of the Quran, which is commemorated in an inscription above the church's entrance. 17. In the 19th century, the compound was given to the French Catholic Order of the White Fathers. France undertook extensive restoration work on the church, returning it as closely as possible to its original basilica form. A second restoration was necessary after the church was damaged during the Six-Day War in 1967. Places of Interest 1. Pools of Bethesda (also used as water storage and as mikvahs) As we walk through this archaeological site, let’s also take a moment to explore its history. In the first century, there were actually two very large rectangular reservoirs here. The first of these pools was built around 700 BC. It was the northern pool, built to provide water, primarily for use at the nearby Temple. Then, around 150 BC, the southern pool was constructed by the Hasmoneans, and a dam was built between the reservoirs. Both pools had a depth of about 43 feet or 13 meters. There was a roofed porch surrounding both pools, with a central porch running down the middle over the dam that separated them. These five porches are mentioned in John 5:2. Today, the northern pool is completely covered, while the southern pool has only been slightly exposed, as can be seen today. They contained "Living Water" Southern Pool ~ The southern part of the Southern Pool is what's visible today. Northern Pool Ruins of the Roman Temple of Asclepius (god of healing) Pagan Medicinal Baths Ruins of a Byzantine Basilica Ruins of a Crusader chapel 2. Church of St. Anne The altar at the front of the church depicts three events: (1) the Annunciation on the right, (2) the descent of Jesus from the Cross in the center, and (3) the birth of Jesus on the left. On the left-hand side of the altar is an illustration of the education of Mary by St Anne. On the right-hand side is a portrayal of the Presentation of Mary at the temple. Crypt dedicated to Mary’s birth It features excellent acoustics, making it ideal for those who enjoy singing. 3. Sheep Gate (located where the Lions’ Gate is today) 4. Antonia Fortress 5. Temple Mount Pools of Bethesda in the Bible 1. It was a place where many came to be healed during the time of Jesus. John 5:1–4: After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. 2. A sick man had been going to this pool for healing for 38 long years. John 5:5: A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 3. Jesus healed the sick man. John 5:6–9: When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well , and picked up his pallet and began to walk. 4. Christ revealed to the man why he had been sick for so long. John 5:9–14: Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 5. Jesus makes Himself equal to God. John 5:15–18: The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason, the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” For this reason, therefore, the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. Faith Lesson from the Pools of Bethesda 1. The sick man had faith in God, as he was in a place where miracles happened. Do we have faith that God can help us with our problems? 2. The sick man was patient and went to the Pool of Bethesda regularly for 38 long years. Are we patient and remain faithful even if we don’t understand sickness or problems we might have? 3. The sick man was alone as no one would help him get into the pool to be healed. Do we need others to help us with our problems because we are alone? 4. It appears some sinful activity caused his disability because Jesus told him to stop sinning, or something worse might happen. Could our sicknesses be caused by disobedience and sin in our lives?

If you want an in-depth Bible-centered trip and see more holy sites in Israel than other tours, then this trip is designed for you. Holy Land Trips Final Payment Secure Payment Link Holy Land Trip Final Payment To complete your final deposit payment, please send $1,850 by credit card, PayPal, or check. Payment can be made for more than one person if needed. If paying by credit card or PayPal, a 4% fee is added to your total amount due to fees charged by the credit card and PayPal providers. If paying by credit card or PayPal, click the button below. PayPal does not require you to create a PayPal account to use your credit card. $1,850.00 Final Payment Payment can be made for more than one person if needed. If paying by check, please send your check to the following address: Holy Land Site (Make checks payable to: Holy Land Site) 6945 Burnett St., SE Salem, OR, 97317-5202 (Using regular mail is preferred as there's not always someone available to sign for certified mail).