Coptic Orthodox Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL

Upon arrival, we will be met by TPT representative and transferred to our hotel in Jerusalem for our first dinner and overnight. (D)

OLD JERUSALEM

After a wonderful breakfast, most of this morning will be touring in Jerusalem.

We shall begin by going to the Mount of Olives, then follow the Footsteps of Jesus.  Visit Dominus Flevit (Luke 19.41) where He wept over the city. Down at the bottom of Kidron Valley we will visit the Greek Orthodox Church marking the tomb of Mary. Visit The Garden of Gethsemane the site of the arrest of Jesus and taking Him to the house of the High priest Caiaphas (Matt. 26.34, Mark 14.30 and Luke 22.54-70). We continue to Mount Zion to see the tomb of King David and the nearby Room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38). In the late afternoon and after lunch, we will have a meeting with the Coptic Bishop.

Return to our hotel.

Dinner and overnight Jerusalem. (B, D)

JORDAN RIVER, JERICHO

Driving down to the Jordan River to visit to the Orthodox Monasteries built on the bank of the Jordan River east of Jericho commemorating the baptismal of Jesus by John the Baptist. Arrive to Jericho and visit the ancient Tel, view the Orthodox Monastery of the temptation of Jesus. Drive to Wadi Kelt to view the Orthodox Monastery of St. George built over the canyon cliffs. Drive to Bethany and visit the tomb of Lazarus the ancient city of Jericho, believed to be the oldest city on earth, with cable car climb to Mt. Quarantal, where Jesus spent 40 days when Satan tried to tempt him. It is also the place where Jesus stopped on his way to Jerusalem, on the eve of the Passover and where Jesus cured the blind man during his stay at Zacchaeus house. Visit Jacob’s well in Samaria. (If permitted)

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

OLD CITY TOUR 

Today we will start our day with a special service at the Coptic Church in the old city of Jerusalem, around 11:00 am we will end the service, later we will we will visit different sites in the old city. We will start with the Jewish Quarter to see the Roman Cardo – ancient Roman/ Byzantine Street, the Western Wall.  The Via Dolorosa, (Way of the cross ) where Jesus carried his Cross all the way to Golgotha.  We will visit the pools of Bethesda and St. Ann’s Church. Continue to Israel museum, that present model of the Antonia fortress and the Temple as it was in the days of Jesus, also here is the display of the 2000 years old Dead Sea scrolls. Later in the afternoon we will visit the 6th  century Orthodox Monastery at the Valley of the Cross, the longtime tradition say that from here the olive tree used for Jesus cross was cut.

Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. (B, D)

OLD CITY AND BETHLEHEM  

We will visit the pools of Bethesda and St. Ann’s Church. Visit the Chapel of the Flagellation where, according to tradition, the Roman soldiers scourged Jesus and placed the crown of thorns on His head, and the Ecce Homo Arch. Early tradition held that Pontius Pilate stood here and thundered “Ecce Homo!” which means “Behold the man!” which is what Pilate said when he presented Jesus to the crowd. Below the Convent is the “Floor” where Jesus was publicly tried and where the Roman soldiers mocked him. Continue along the Via Dolorosa, (Way of the cross ) where Jesus carried his Cross all the way to Golgotha.  Now we visit the Holy Sepulcher Church in the old city.  Later we drive to Bethlehem. We will visit the Orthodox Church of the Nativity, followed by a visit to the one of the most ancient Greek Orthodox Monasteries in our region – The 4th century Mar Sava Monastery, built on the banks of the Kidron dry river canyon. On the way back we will visit the Greek Orthodox Church at the Shepherds Fields.  Back to the hotel for dinner at the hotel and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

QUMRAN, DEAD SEA FLOAT, BETHANY

Half day tour to the ancient ruins of Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found and we will see the caves . Time to “float” at the Dead Sea Waters. Return to Jerusalem on the way back we will visit the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Arrive at Bethany where we will visit the site of the resurrection of Lazarus. Arrive Jerusalem.

The rest of the day is free. (B, D)

CAESAREA, HAIFA, MT.CARMEL, TIBERIAS

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Continue north along the Mediterranean coastline, to visit Caesarea (Caesarea Marittima) – built by Herod the Great, where Peter met Cornelius the Centurion and Paul’s imprisonment. See the Roman Theatre and the Aqueduct.

Continue to Haifa to view the golden domed Baha’i Temple and its beautiful Persian gardens. Ascend to Mt. Carmel to the Stella Maris Church, the Carmelite Monastery, the Chapel of the Holy Family and Elijah’s Cave.

Arrive at Tiberius for check-in at the hotel. (B, D)

NAZARETH, THE GALILEE, CANA, MT. TABOR

After breakfast at the hotel drive to the Galilee. We will have a day of visits in Nazareth- the boyhood town of Jesus and home of Mary and Joseph. Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation built over the grotto where Archangel Gabriel appeared to announce to Mary that she would bear a son, Jesus. We will visit the Orthodox site of Mary’s Well. Drive to Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle, changing water into wine at the wedding feast, we will visit the lovely Orthodox Church built at the site of the miracle.

Drive to Mt.Tabor to visit the church of transfiguration.

Dinner and overnight at hotel Tiberias. (B, D)

CAPERNAUM – TABGHA – MT. OF BEATITUDES

Depart after breakfast for a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (John 6. 1, 6.23).

We shall visit this morning the Orthodox Church in Capernaum where most of the ministries of Jesus took place (Matt.4 13, 13.54, 17.54, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, and John 4.46-54). A visit to Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus taught His disciples (Matt. 5, 6, 7, 8) the Sermon on the Mount. Visit Tabgha where Jesus fed multitude with just 2 fishes and 5 loves. (Matt.13, Mark .33-45 and John 21).

Dinner and overnight Tiberias. (B, D)

After breakfast transfer to the International airport to board your flight back to Newark. (B)