As we were leaving Galilee our Professor Brian took us to a secluded access to the Jordan River. Approaching the bank of the River my thoughts automatically went to that day when Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized. As the Gospel says the heaven opened and the Holy Spirit like a dove descended on the Lord. I stood there reflecting on how much we are immersed
in this mystery by our own baptism. When most of my protestant friends were wandering around I went to the river dipped my hand in the water and made the Sign of the Cross thanking the Holy Trinity for my own participation in what Jesus originated here. Maybe I will never again touch the water of this River but the grace of the Holy Baptism keeps touching me very deeply to shape me according to the image of Christ.
in this mystery by our own baptism. When most of my protestant friends were wandering around I went to the river dipped my hand in the water and made the Sign of the Cross thanking the Holy Trinity for my own participation in what Jesus originated here. Maybe I will never again touch the water of this River but the grace of the Holy Baptism keeps touching me very deeply to shape me according to the image of Christ.
Jordan River
After this highly emotional and spiritual moment at the Jordan we went to the city of Megiddo, or what is left of it, which played prominent role in the history of the ancient East. Strategically located it controlled access to the road that linked Egypt with Mesopotamia and Anatolia, the most important trade and military route of that time. Megiddo is the only site in the Land of Israel mentioned in the records of all Near Eastern ancient powers and was one of the most fought-over cities in the region. The first fully recorded battle in history, in which Pharaoh Thutmose 3rd faced a coalition of Canaanite kings, took place here in 1479 B.C. The Pharaoh ordered and inscription to be made in the Karnak Temple in Egypt to mark that victory: “Taking Megiddo is as good as taking a thousand cities.” Archeological excavations have revealed that it was also a sacred place for more than 2000 years before it was destroyed. The excavations have shown over 30 settlements that were built on the top of each
other as different groups were moving into the city. Megiddo is also mentioned in many biblical narratives. Its king was one of the Canaanite rulers defeated by Joshua when the people of Israel was taking over the land afar their wandering in the desert. It was rebuilt by King Solomon, and it was the site where two Judean kings – Ahaziah and Josiah met their deaths. For millions of Christians, Megiddo is the Armageddon from St John’s Apokalypse, where the forces of Good will defeat the forces of Evil in the Final Battle at the End of Days. In 1964 Pope Paul VI came here to meet the President of the State of Israel to hold a reconciliation service on the side that has seen so many battles and deaths.
other as different groups were moving into the city. Megiddo is also mentioned in many biblical narratives. Its king was one of the Canaanite rulers defeated by Joshua when the people of Israel was taking over the land afar their wandering in the desert. It was rebuilt by King Solomon, and it was the site where two Judean kings – Ahaziah and Josiah met their deaths. For millions of Christians, Megiddo is the Armageddon from St John’s Apokalypse, where the forces of Good will defeat the forces of Evil in the Final Battle at the End of Days. In 1964 Pope Paul VI came here to meet the President of the State of Israel to hold a reconciliation service on the side that has seen so many battles and deaths.
Megiddo, an important city in antiquity and the battle field between Forces of Good and Evil from the prophesy of St John the Apostle
That's what left of the gate to the city which everybody wanted
"Sacred site" that saw temples of different religions built here
Once it was the most powerful city of the costal region here
The horses were useless in Jerusalem as it is to rocky but the costal plains were perfect for kings to breed horses
To survive a siege they needed plenty of food. A silos to store up wheat
They needed water as well. A very sophisticated water system to provide enough water for the residents of Megiddo
From Megiddo we drove up to the Carmel Range. The view from the top of the monastery is overwhelming and so is the story of the prophet Elijah through whom God proved the true faith here. At God's command Elijah brought fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice prepared for God while the prophets of Baal couldn’t do that. I liked the statue of Elijah erected in front of the Carmelite monastery there. It is so dynamic like the man who was one of the greatest figures in the Old Testament.
For most of us Catholics the Mt Carmel is associated with the Virgin Mary whom we call Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Carmelite Fathers still live, work and pray here like the hermits of the first centuries who chose this Mountain Range for their home. The statue of Our Lady in the church isn't big but because there are very few decorations inside you cannot miss it . Very firmly she seems to show her Son Jesus to the visitors.
For most of us Catholics the Mt Carmel is associated with the Virgin Mary whom we call Our Lady of Mt Carmel. Carmelite Fathers still live, work and pray here like the hermits of the first centuries who chose this Mountain Range for their home. The statue of Our Lady in the church isn't big but because there are very few decorations inside you cannot miss it . Very firmly she seems to show her Son Jesus to the visitors.
Carmelite Church on the top of Mt Carmel
Interior of the Mt Carmel church
Statue of Our Lady in the church
With the Prophet Elijah
View from Mt Carmel. In the distance behind me Mt Tabor
The last visit that day was to Caesarea. I am glad we went there as now I shouldn’t confuse the city with Caesarea Philippi at the springs if the Jordan. Caesarea we visited today was another prove of King Herod’s genius who built the city on the Mediterranean Coast. The place had nothing to make it a flourishing port. It didn’t have anything like Sydney Harbor or Port Philip Bay but Herod’s determination resulted in the city port being built here for 300
ships. The movie we watched which showed how they created the artificial port
amazed me at the scale of the project. We have visited some placed built by Herod like Herodium or Masada but honestly I believe that Caesarea stands out among all architecture achievements of the King. I cannot understand why he didn’t want to be buried here. After his death the city had an interesting history of earthquakes and wars that destroyed it but what touched me is the city’s connection to Christianity. The Acts of the Apostles mentioned the place many times. Here St Peter baptized Cornelius, here Philip arrives after converting the servant of a queen. However the city port saw St Paul setting out for his missionary journeys. Herod built this city to invigorate the economy of his kingdom but he also provided a way for the Christian Faith to spread from this Land to other parts of the Roman Empire. This port was also the last glimpse of the Holy Land St Paul must have caught as he was taken as a prisoner on his last voyage that would take him to Rome where he was martyred. However it wasn’t the last contribution of this city of the spreading of the Faith. In this beautiful coastal city a number of the early Church Fathers prayed and reflected on the depth of our tradition. In 3rd centur Origen wrote his magnificent reflection on Christian doctrine while living here. In 4th century St Eusebius was a bishop here and wrote the first Church History. St Gregory Nazianzus, St Basil the Great, St Jerome and many others came to study here as the city had a magnificent Christian library of 30 000 manuscripts. I can’t help thinking that what Herod created here was a Christian hub. Once he tried to murder the Baby Jesus to keep his position safe but in mysterious plans of God his pride city of Caesarea was to become a stop for many early Christian missionaries setting out to preach Jesus.
ships. The movie we watched which showed how they created the artificial port
amazed me at the scale of the project. We have visited some placed built by Herod like Herodium or Masada but honestly I believe that Caesarea stands out among all architecture achievements of the King. I cannot understand why he didn’t want to be buried here. After his death the city had an interesting history of earthquakes and wars that destroyed it but what touched me is the city’s connection to Christianity. The Acts of the Apostles mentioned the place many times. Here St Peter baptized Cornelius, here Philip arrives after converting the servant of a queen. However the city port saw St Paul setting out for his missionary journeys. Herod built this city to invigorate the economy of his kingdom but he also provided a way for the Christian Faith to spread from this Land to other parts of the Roman Empire. This port was also the last glimpse of the Holy Land St Paul must have caught as he was taken as a prisoner on his last voyage that would take him to Rome where he was martyred. However it wasn’t the last contribution of this city of the spreading of the Faith. In this beautiful coastal city a number of the early Church Fathers prayed and reflected on the depth of our tradition. In 3rd centur Origen wrote his magnificent reflection on Christian doctrine while living here. In 4th century St Eusebius was a bishop here and wrote the first Church History. St Gregory Nazianzus, St Basil the Great, St Jerome and many others came to study here as the city had a magnificent Christian library of 30 000 manuscripts. I can’t help thinking that what Herod created here was a Christian hub. Once he tried to murder the Baby Jesus to keep his position safe but in mysterious plans of God his pride city of Caesarea was to become a stop for many early Christian missionaries setting out to preach Jesus.
Caesarea at the time of Herod
Caesarea today
At the port built by Herod
Today's Promenade in Caesarea
Today's Promenade in Caesarea
Romans preferred this city to Jerusalem. Not surprised.
It reminds me some of the gorgeous coastal towns of NSW. Of course ruins are a bonus here.
Trying very hard to contribute to ruining Caesarea
Herod also built an aqueduct to bring water ere from the mountains
It doesn't bring water anymore but it is still a good spot for the beach goers to get changed. The aqueduct was built along the Mediterranean Sea
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