St. Paul Lutheran Church Holy Land Pilgrimage with Rev. Jonathan Bull

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH – WESTERVILLE, OH

OCTOBER 20-29, 2023

Day 1, Friday, October 20: Departure from the USA
Depart from Columbus, OH (CMH) on our international flight. Enjoy dinner and entertainment aboard the airplane.

Day 2, Saturday, October 21: Arrival – Tel Aviv
Upon arrival at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, an Elias Tours representative will meet and assist us through customs. We transfer to our hotel on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. (If our flight arrives early in the morning, we will visit Jaffa before going to our hotel.) Dinner and overnight. 

Day 3, Sunday, October 22: Mt. Carmel – Caesarea – Nazareth – Cana – Tiberias
After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where the Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct. We visit Mount Carmel, Muhraqa (the Place of Fire) , and consider the contest between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal (I Kings 18), discussing the reasons why the Prophet chose that place for the contest, and the lessons we learn from the story. Afterward, we go to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, and the Church of St. Joseph. We end our day with a visit to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle. Drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. 

Day 4, Monday, October 23: Caesarea Philippi – Golan Heights – Mt. Arbel – Valley of Doves – Sea of Galilee
We start our day with a visit to Caesarea Philippi, at the source of the river Jordan, where Peter confessed that Jesus is the Messiah. Then we return to the Sea of Galilee via the Golan Heights with a stop overlooking the Road to Damascus. On to Mount Arbel, where we overlook the ancient road from Nazareth to Galilee with a possible hike on part of
the Jesus Trail. We then carry on to the Valley of the Doves and travel along the ancient road that leads from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee along the Via Maris. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5, Tuesday, October 24: Sea of Galilee – Magdala – Capernaum – Mount of Beatitudes
We start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Then we visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, and see the 1st-century synagogue, the oldest synagogue discovered on the shores of Galilee, with a stone-carved replica of the Temple and Menorah. We then take a short drive to Capernaum, the biblical village and hometown of Jesus. Capernaum is closely associated with Jesus and His ministry as described in the Synoptic Gospels. There we see the house of the mother-in-law of Peter and an ancient synagogue that dates back to the time of Jesus and where much of His teaching took place. After a lunch of St. Peter’s fish, we drive to Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000. We then visit the site known as “Peter’s Primacy” where Jesus appeared to His disciples for the third time after His Resurrection. Later we continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. We enjoy the view of the enchanting gardens and reflect on Jesus’ sermon. We also have time for communion
service and worship. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 6, Wednesday, October 25: Jordan Valley – Shepherds Field – Church of the Nativity - Bethlehem (ELCJHL)
After breakfast, we drive through the Jordan Valley and on to Bethlehem to visit Shepherd's Fields, where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Our Lord. These fields are also the setting of the Book of Ruth. After lunch, we travel to the Church of the Nativity and view the place where Our Lord was born. We check in at our hotel and enjoy conversation and dinner with Local Church leaders. overnight in Bethlehem. 

Day 7, Thursday, October 26: Mt. of Olives – Mt. Zion
We start our day at a panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives, and then we continue to the Church of the Ascension and the Church of the Pater Noster. We continue down to Dominus Flevit and St. Mary Magdalene Church. We pray at the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon, we visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Jesus was denied by St. Peter. Then we visit the Upper Room, the place of the Last Supper, and King David’s Tomb. Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 8, Friday, October 27: Pools of Bethesda – Holy Sepulcher – Church of the Redeemer (ELCJHL) - Jerusalem
This morning after breakfast, we walk the Via Dolorosa, the traditional path that Jesus walked from the Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. There, we visit Golgotha and the Empty Tomb. We then visit Church of the Redeemer, Meet with Bishop Ibrahim Azar (ELCJHL) then to Jewish Quarter, and go to the Western Wall, a section of the The western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site. We then visit St Anne’s church  and the nearby Pools of Bethesda, where the healing at the pool took place. Return to Bethlehem and enjoy farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 9, Saturday, October 28: Wadi Qelt – St. George Monastery – Qumran – the Dead Sea
This morning we depart Bethlehem, traveling through the Judean wilderness where Jesus
fasted for 40 days, and along the ancient road passing the good Samaritan inn. Upon reaching
Wadi Qelt, we enjoy a view of St. George’s Monastery nestled in the wilderness. We carry on
along the ancient road to Qumran (included) and visit the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls
were accidentally found and the buildings that formed the public center of the Essenes. Then
we proceed to the Dead Sea where we can enjoy a dip in the relaxing and healing waters. Dinner
and overnight in the Dead Sea.

Day 10, Sun Oct 29 – Jericho – Baptismal site – Petra
We drive to the city of Jericho passing by Herod’s Winter Palace, where the infamous King died in the year 4 BC, and which was likely the background setting for the parable of the prodigal son. We see Tel Jericho, the old town of Joshua, to see the excavations of the ancient city and the Mount of Temptation. we head to Bet Arabah where John baptized Jesus. The site is also known as the “Place of Crossing” of the Israelites. From Bet Arabah, we will then drive to Allenby Border to cross into Jordan. You will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver and drive towards Petra City (3 Hours ) Dinner and overnight.

Monday (30 Oct 2023 ): Petra – Amman
Breakfast at hotel. Morning proceed to the lost city of Petra  and the picturesque Siq and visit the Treasury. Petra is a Greek word which means ‘Stone’. This city was built on 6th century, the home of Nabataeans. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 and the most visited tourist attraction in the country. Transfer to Amman in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight. 

Tuesday (31 OCT 2023 ): Nebo – Madaba – Jerash
After breakfast be transferred to Mt. Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land before he died. Then proceed to Madaba to visit the Monastery of St. George, which hosts the unique mosaic Map of Egypt, Jordan and the Holyland. The map is believed to be the first one for this area, as it is built in the 6th century, Drive to Jerash City, Nestled in a quiet valley among the mountains of Gilead, Jerash is the grandeur of Imperial Rome, being one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world, outside of Italy. To this day, its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theaters, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates remain in exceptional condition, back to hotel and Dinner. 

Wednesday (01 NOV 2023 ) Departure from Amman airport 
Check-out and departure from our hotel for the return home. We arrive on the same day.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change, due to various factors, and at your Tour Leaders and Guide’s discretion.