Tuesday, August 14, 2018

#4 Israel (Christ Church - Sepphoris/Zippori)

After breakfast, we meet with Fr. Nael Abu Rahmoun, who is the Rector of Christ Church-Nazareth, before the 10am mass. He dicusssed the ministry and status of Christ Church, as well as what life is like for him being a Palestinian, Arab, Christian, and Israeli citizen.  After questions were asked and answered, Marcia presented him with an icon she wrote of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  The emotion was moving and humbling as Fr. Nael received and thanked Marcia for such a generous and awesome gift for Christ Church.  We went to mass, which was spoken in Arabic, and the icon was placed on the credence table and revealed to the parish at the Peace.  It was a moving and spirit-filled time of worship, where at times we were all singing or praying together in English and in Arabic. Marcia said, "Mary has returned to Nazareth," with the purpose of prayer and peace for the people of Nazareth.

We had lunch, and then departed by bus to Zippori/Sepphoris. Not far from Nazareth, Sepphoris is the closest city (on a hill as described in the NT) where Joseph may have worked with Jesus as a boy growing up and learning the trade of a stone mason, since trees have always been in short supply in this area, but stone work was and is abundant.  It was a bustling city, as compared to Nazareth with 200 people in the 1st century. Beautiful mosaics have been excavated from this site, as well as the original road from 2000 years ago.  We see the mosaics, and we walk on the smooth stone roads with groves from cart wheels worn into them over time. We saw remnants of homes, market places, synagogues, and ritual bathing areas. Oh, did I mention it was hot ... the hottest day of the year at 110F.

Tomorrow we are off to Galilee.

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