Day 5
Our first destination today was Mt. Carmel at Mukhrakah, which is the site where Elijah faced off against the Prophets of Baal. This showdown, billed by promoter Don King Ahab as “the Fight of the Century” some 3000 years ago, became the stuff of legend and catapulted Elijah, (the undefeated reigning champion who’s Prophet and Loss record stood at 450 - 0), to unprecedented fame, and his trainer Yahweh, (the undisputed one true God), to universal adoration and worship. So great and widespread was Elijah’s and Yahweh’s fame, that about 700 years ago, a bunch of truly fanatical fans opened a kind of monastic gym on Mount Carmel and devoted themselves to emulating Elijah’s very successful training regimen.
We celebrated a lovely Mass here (Father Ed took the lead supported by Father Wim and Annette), in the church and spent the next 30 minutes or so walking round the gardens, taking selfies with the statue of Elijah (in classic “Rocky” pose) and admiring the spectacular 360° views from the roof of the Carmelite Monastery.
We then headed off to Caesarea.
To bring prosperity to the kingdom of Judaea, Herod the Great set out to build a great seaport city, constructed on the coast of the Mediterranean, in honour of his friend and patron, the Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, naming it "Caesarea Maritima." This city became the capital of the Roman province of Judaea around 6BC and included broad collonaded streets, a palace, a temple, public buildings, a theatre, Hippodrome, an amphitheatre and other entertainment facilities.
It was here that the Apostle Peter met Cornelius, a Roman centurion, whom he baptized (along with two of his servants) and became one of the first gentile (non-Jewish) believers. It is also here where St. Paul was imprisoned before being sent to Rome for trial.
We spent about 2 hours here walking around the very well preserved ruins of the old city. The amphitheatre is very well preserved and is still in use today. The Hippodrome is easily identifiable but the rest of the ruins are mere hints and echoes of what was once here.
From here we continued on to the City of Jaffa or Joppa. This is a lovely seaside spot right next to Tel Aviv. We visited the Church of St. Peter which was dedicated to him because it was here in Jaffa that he raised Tabitha, (also known as Dorcas), from the dead. The church is worth a visit. With its high vaulted ceiling, stained glass and marble walls, the interior reminded me of some of the cathedrals Maria and I have visited in France and Spain. As this was our last day in Galilee, it was fitting that on each of the four walls are panels with three of these depicting sites visited so far on our pilgrimage; the miraculous catch of fishes, the giving of the keys, and the transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. It was a great way to say “farewell” as we prepared to make our way to Jerusalem.
We were given the option of going to see the house that Peter stayed in while he was in Jaffa, except it isn’t the house and according to Mourad our guide, they aren’t really sure where the house is. So I said to Maria, “I don’t think I’ll go. It would be like taking my sister back to see the site of our childhood home in Herbert Street but taking her instead to some random house in Hermitage Road.” So we opted for ice cream at a local Gelatissimo called Padre’s where I witnessed the last temptation of Wim.
Finally, it was time for the last leg of our journey. Jerusalem.
Chat tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment