3Ms - Mountains, Marriage and Mary

After breakfast our bus took up Mt. Tabor where we transferred to vans for the zig zag route up to the top of the mountain.  We've done Mt. Washington, so this wasn't too bad.

Beautiful 

Church of the Transfiguration

At the top is the large Church of the Transfiguration which I described in this morning's post. 

The architect designed the front of the church to resemble the three booths described in the biblical account.




We had Mass in the outdoor chapel which was built in the ruins of the Crusader era church built on the mountain.

Our Mass altar

The picture on the right shows one of the first examples of what we call a Hellenic cross.  Its from an earlier church built on this location.

Helenic Cross

Crypt Chapel

Main Church

Chapel of Moses

 We had a beautiful view here of the Plains of Armageddon which our guide, George, said has seen more blood shed than any other place in the world.

Cedar Trees

Plains of Armageddon

 

Most of Our Group

 From there we went to Cana where we renewed our Wedding Vows and buy some wine. 

Well in the Courtyard

Stone Jar for Wine

Wedding Cake

We visited a Catholic school down the street from the church to be with the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart known as the Egyptian sisters since the order was founded in Cairo.  The students come from a mix of backgrounds but the majority are Muslim.  The Muslim children do not have to take religion classes.

Children at Recess

We then traveled to Mount Precipice.

View from the top

Nazareth

Falafel

Then we stopped for lunch in Nazareth.  Ida had the Fallafel which is made with deep fried balls made of chickpeas put into a pita bread with salad and vegetables.  I had a Shawarma which was made with chicken, salad and vegetables in a pita.  Both are common Middle Eastern dishes.

Shawarma

Jesus King of the Jews

Then it was onto the Basilica of the Annunciation which is the very spot where the Angel appeared to Mary to inform her that she would conceive a child, Jesus. 

Front of the Basilica

George explains the symbols on the
 massive bronze doors

Altar Marking the Location of
the Annunciation

Cross in Mosaic from 337 AD

Upper Church

Outside the Church and inside the church there are mosaics from all over the world with images of Mary.  Today we saw pilgrimage groups from Brazil, Greece, and Nigeria.

The Beautiful Dome

Plaque in the Floor Dedicated to Pope John XXIII

Mosaic from Canada

Mosaic from the USA

Our last stop for the day was at the church of St. Joseph.who George says was a stone mason and not a carpenter.  

Main Church

St. Joseph

Mikvah

Below the church are caves in one there is a Mikvah which was a ritual bath that Jewish men had to take in the morning and at night.

Stained Glass