The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth
Founded around the same time by St. Helena as the Church of the Nativity and the Holy Sepulchre, what sets this church apart was that all ruins of the previous churches were demolished to build this basilica completed in 1969.
Under the control of the Franciscans, it is the largest Christian church building in the Middle East. However, it is one of the two claimants to the site of the Annunciation — the other being the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation located elsewhere in Nazareth.
The upper church is filled with many beautiful mosaics from countries of significant Catholic population and in its courtyard is a gallery of Madonnas from different countries. In the grotto below, a cave is believed to be the actual site of the Annunciation.
Of all the churches I have visited in the Holy Land, this is the most aesthetically pleasing.
The Church of Saint Joseph in Nazareth
Built in 1914 in Romanesque revival style over the ruins of a Crusader church atop a series of caves, this church is just a short distance away from the Basilica of the Annunciation and is believed to be the site of the carpentry workshop of Joseph and their family home for almost 30 years — the “hidden years” of the life of Jesus Christ.
The Wedding Church in Cana
This is a Roman Catholic church located in the central part of Cana that was built in 1881, and expanded over time due to the success of the Franciscans in acquiring areas near the site. The compound’s most recent extensive renovation was done in 1999. The Miracle at the Wedding in Cana is one of the most popular stories from the Bible, believed to have been the site of Jesus’ first miracle done at the behest of his mother Mary.
A very popular site for renewal of wedding vows, we did that as a group and really enjoyed the ceremony. Because of restricted time for chapel use and to accommodate many pilgrims, each group is given about 30 minutes to get the ceremony done. After the gospel, the renewal ceremony comes next and then a blessing before the group leaves the church. Changing rooms are available for those who need a change of attire.
A little walk around the corner takes us to a shop that serves “free wedding wine.”
The Pater Noster Church in Jerusalem
Part of a monastery known as the Sanctuary of Eleona in the Mount of Olives, this Roman Catholic church is French property. During the Crusades, it became exclusively associated with the teaching of the Lord’s Prayer and they built a full church in 1152 but over time, the area was abandoned and fell into ruin.
This site was acquired by Princess Aurelia Bossi de la Tour d’Auvergne in the second half of the 19th Century — first she built a cloister, then a convent and by 1910 when the foundations of the ancient church were unearthed, reconstruction of the Byzantine church began but was stopped due to the lack of funds. It remains unfinished in present day; the tomb of the Princess stands at the right side of the entrance to the church.
Plaques of the Lord’s Prayer in various languages and dialects line the wall of the church and the cloisters including many of the languages of the Philippines.
The Church of St. Anne in the Old City of Jerusalem
A French Roman Catholic church located in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, it was built around 1131 to 1138 AD near the remains of a Byzantine Basilica by the Pools of Bethesda over the site of a grotto that Crusaders believed to be the childhood home of the Virgin Mary. It is dedicated to her parents: Anne and Joachim.
It deteriorated over the years but in 1862, the French government renovated it in Romanesque style. The grotto lies in the crypt below. It is one of the properties the French government owns here.
This church is famous for having the best acoustics in the Holy Land. It truly is a haven for soloists and choirs singing songs of praise a capella. Our group had the place all to ourselves for a while and we were able to really savor the reverberations of the music. I have also noticed that inside the church it is always cool, no matter how hot it is outside.
The Abbey of the Dormition in Jerusalem
A Roman Catholic church run by the Benedictine Order in Mount Zion outside the Old City, it is believed to mark the spot where Mary died or “fell into eternal slumber.” A Byzantine Basilica was first built here in the 5th century and its foundations were recovered in 1899. It was re-dedicated in 1910 in Neo-Romanesque style. In an underground hall below the church, there is a crypt in the center — a statue of a sleeping Virgin Mary. It is currently under renovation.
The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu in Jerusalem
On the eastern slope of Mt. Zion, this Roman Catholic church was built and dedicated to the Denial of Peter. “Gallicantu” means “cock’s crow,” and it is believed to be the location of the house of the High Priest Caiaphas where Peter’s triple denial took place.
From a Byzantine shrine in 457 AD, it was rebuilt by the Crusades in 1102 and given its present name. It fell into ruin after the Fall of Jerusalem and was not rebuilt until 1931. One of the ancient underground chambers was apparently where Jesus could have been kept the night he was arrested and below the house is a staircase leading toward the Kidron Valley. It is considered a holy path where Jesus could have passed coming from Gethsemane.
The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish in Tabgha
A Roman Catholic church run by the Benedictines, the current church was erected over the ruins of 4th and 5th century churches and followed the floor plan of the 5th century church. It was inaugurated in 1984. Under its altar is a block of limestone believed to have been where the miraculous meal was laid.
The restored 5th century mosaics inside are the earliest known examples of figurative floor mosaics in Christian art in the Holy Land.
The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter in Tabgha
A Roman Catholic church run by the Franciscans in the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, this church commemorates Jesus’ reinstatement of Peter as the chief among the Apostles. This modern church was built in 1933 and it incorporated an earlier 4th century church whose foundations are still visible. There is a limestone rock in front of the altar which is venerated as “Mensa Christi” (Latin for Table of Christ) because tradition dictates that this was the spot Jesus laid out a breakfast of bread and fish to his Apostles and told Peter to “Feed my Sheep” after a miraculous catch, the third time he appeared to them after his Resurrection.
I enjoyed immersing my feet in the shore of the Sea of Galilee that can be accessed easily through stairs at the back of this church. The claims of this particular church are somewhat confusing as there is also another church a short distance away which presents a similar claim.
The Chapel of the Ascension in Jerusalem
This shrine in the Mount of Olives, currently under the authority of the Islamic Waqf of Jerusalem, is believed to be the spot where Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection.
A slab of stone (Ascension Rock) believed to contain one of his footprints is venerated as the last point on Earth touched by the incarnate Christ. The other footprint was taken to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City.
In the 4th century, a wealthy Roman woman named Poimenia financed the building of a Byzantine-style church honoring Christ’s first footprints. Today, the main structure is from the Crusader era but the dome and the octagonal drum it stands on are Muslim additions.
The Church of St. Peter in Capernaum
Archaeological excavations revealed a 1st century church was built here and it was considered “the first church in the world.” It is believed to be the place where the house of the apostle Peter was. In the 5th century, an octagonal church was built in its place and this modern church finished in 1999 is now located in the central part of Capernaum.
A noted Cebuano politician from the north of Cebu was one of the major donors in building this modern church.
St. Peter’s Church in the Old City of Jaffa
A Roman Catholic church run by the Franciscans, the original church was constructed in 1654 and was twice destroyed and rebuilt. The current structure was built between 1888-1894. It is the largest and most recognizable building in Old Jaffa. This church was erected here because it was in Jaffa that St. Peter raised Tabitha from the dead, according to the Acts of the Apostles, hence, this church is dedicated to him.