Travel Blog: Jerusalem and Holy Land

In 2018 we had our Holy Land pilgrimage where we visited several holy sites and churches. Our trip to Jerusalem and Holy is meaningful and memorable.  These places are testament to stories of healing, power of touch and holy oils.

The Church of the Annunciation located in Nazareth, in northern Israel is the place where angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear the Son of God, Jesus.

The Chapel of the Milk Grotto of Our Lady is located in Bethlehem in the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories.  According to historians, it is the place where the Holy Family sought refuge before they flee to Egypt during Herod’s time when he ordered to massacre of children and innocents.

The Wedding Church at Cana located Norther part of Israel.  It is the place where Jesus performed the first miracle at the Wedding at Cana from the Gospel of John.

Mt. of Precipice is identified as the site where the Nazareth people’s disapproval of Jesus took place after he said in his sermon, declaring himself as the Messiah.

The Church of the Beatitudes which located by the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha and Capernaum in Israel.  This the place where Jesus gave the sermon on the 8 Beatitudes.

The Capernaum synagogue is located near the northern Sea of Galilee.  It is the synagogue that Jesus gave the Sermon on the Bread of Life. regularly preached and performed many miracles.

Gethsemane garden is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.  Based on the Bible it is the site in which Jesus underwent the agony in the garden and was arrested before his crucifixion. The garden is literally filled with Olive trees.

Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu is the site where Peter denied his association with Jesus three times before the cock crows twice.

The Prison of Christ chapel located in Jerusalem is the site where Jesus was imprisoned before his execution.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher which is the holiest church for the Catholic faith.   It is the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

Throughout the church, you will find hanging chain brass vigil oil lamps.  During biblical times, the earliest oil lamps are believed to use essential oils such as olive oil or fish oil to burn the lamps.  These lamps were in ceramics decorated with the seven species of the Holy Land, including ears of grain, grapes and pomegranates.

Shavuot at the Holy Sepulcher Church.  The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the site where Jesus was crucified and is at a place known as Calvary or Golgotha.  Also, you will find Jesus’s empty tomb, where he is believed to have been buried and resurrected. Blessed to have witnessed Shavuot which is the Festival of the Weeks, is a Jewish holiday to mark the end of the Counting of the Omer and the anniversary of the day when Jewish people received the Torah.

Jesus’ Essential Oil Burial Ritual – As history and bible readings tell us that on Good Friday, Jesus died on the cross.  Upon his death the women of Jerusalem including Mary his mother, Martha and Mary Magdalene prepared his body for burial and followed the Jewish tradition.   Jesus’ body was washed, embalmed and anointed with olive oil, expensive perfumes and essential oils like nard, hyssop, myrrh, and aloes.