Lutheran Pilgrimage in Palestine
A 10-day, 9-night pilgrimage in the Holy Land designed to experience the land of the Bible, and to also meet local Christians; the “Living Stones” of the Holy Land.
Day 1: Arrival. Arrival at Tel Aviv international airport. Transfer to hotel in Nazareth. Introduction and welcome by Angels Tours & Travel representative. Overnight in Nazareth.
Day 2: Galilee. Boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum (the village of Peter), Tabgha (the place of the Multiplication of the Loaves & Fishes), Mensa Christi (the Primacy of Peter), and Mount of Beatitudes. Overnight in Nazareth.
Day 3: Cana, Mt. Carmel and Nazareth. Visit Cana, place of the first miracle of Jesus and Mount Carmel. Return to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Church, the ancient “Synagogue Church,” Christ Church of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Dinner and final overnight in Nazareth.
Day 4: Mount Tabor and Jordan Valley. Visit Mount Tabor (place of the Transfiguration) and baptismal site along the Jordan River (optional renewal of Baptismal rite). Journey to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 5: Jerusalem. Visit the Old City of Jerusalem: Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Church of St. Anne, Pool of Bethsaida, Flagellation Chapel, Haram Al-Sharif (Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, if possible), Via Dolorosa and Western Wall. Visit to Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6: Jerusalem. Morning chapel at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, possible visit with His Grace Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). Optional bell-tower climb for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Visit Mount of Olives, a stop for a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, Ascension Chapel, Pater Noster Church, Dominus Flevit, the Garden & Church of All Nations at Gethsemane, Mt. Zion, Dormition Abby, David's Tomb, Cenacle (place of the Last Supper), and Church of St. Peter in Galicantu. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7: Jericho and Dead Sea. Visit Mount of Temptation, Tel Sultan and the Sycamore Tree of Zaccheus. Visit Qumran, place of the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls, with the possibility of swimming in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 8: Bethlehem. Visit the Nativity Church, Milk Grotto and Shepherds Field, Afternoon visit to Christmas Lutheran Church and Dar Al Kalima Center to learn about the local Lutheran community, the largest in the diocese of the Holy Land and Jordan. Dinner with local Bethlehem Christians, and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 9: Hebron and Bethlehem. Visit the Old City of Hebron, Abraham Mosque and the Tent of Nations project. Free afternoon in Bethlehem. Farewell cultural dinner with folklore dance. Overnight in Bethlehem, and prepare for departure.
Day 10: Departure. Transfer to Tel Aviv International Airport for departure.