Itinerary

Day 1, Monday 25th February

Journeying to Holy Land

We gather at Heathrow for our afternoon flight to Tel Aviv. We will have dinner on board the flight and, on arrival be transferred to the simple but beautiful Benedictine Pilgerhaus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Day 2, Tuesday 26th February

Revelation and Annunciation

Our pilgrimage begins at Mount Tabor, traditionally associated with the Transfiguration. After visiting the glorious Basilica on the summit of the mount, and enjoying wonderful views of the Jezreel Valley, we will drive to Cana, the site of Jesus’ first sign, according to the Fourth Gospel. Finally, we will come to Nazareth, the town in which the gospel story begins. Here we will visit a number of sites associated both with the Annunciation, and with the start of Jesus’ ministry in his home town. We will return to the Pilgerhaus in time to freshen up for our evening meal.

Day 3, Wednesday 27th February

Teaching and Feeding

Today we will focus on the principal sites of Jesus’ ministry around the home he made for himself by the Sea of Galilee. After commemorating the call of the first disciples in a Eucharist by the Sea itself, we will visit the excavated ruins of Capernaum, as well as sites associated with the Feeding of the 5000, the recommissioning of Peter, and the giving of the Sermon on the Mount. In addition we will have a chance to sail on the Sea itself in a modern replica of a First Century fishing boat, as well as seeing the well preserved remains of a similar boat dating from the time of Jesus. Return to our lakeside hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4, Thursady 28th February

An ancient pilgrimage route

This morning we bid farewell to the Galilee, and begin our journey south through the heart of the West Bank. Entering the Palestinian Territories near Jenin, our first stop is at the city of Nablus in which is found Jacob’s Well - a site which Jesus himself visited on a journey to Jerusalem. In addition to visiting the Well, we hope to visit the Anglican parish of St Philip, and see at first hand its remarkable Kindergarten, which seeks to serve the entire local community in a Christ-like spirit, regardless of creed or race. After lunch we will drive down to the Jordan Valley, to renew our baptism vows at the recently re-opened site on the River Jordan, believed to mark the place of Jesus’ own baptism. At the end of the day we will journey around Jerusalem and make our way towards Bethlehem. Passing through the checkpoint, we make our way to our hotel situated on Manger Square.

Day 5, Friday 1st March

Incarnation and abundant life

Today will give us the chance not only to see the places associated with the birth of Jesus, but to see the implications of the Incarnation as lived out by the Christians of Bethlehem. During the course of the day we will visit the Shepherd’s Fields and the Church of the Nativity, as well as seeing the work of two remarkable Christian institutions endeavouring to bring something of the abundant life promised in the gospel to those living under the restrictions of the Occupation. We hope to visit the Holy Family Hospital, which offers the only neo-natal care in the southern West Bank, and the remarkable International Center of Bethlehem, founded by the Lutheran Pastor Mitri Raheb. Dinner and overnight stay in Bethlehem.

Day 6, Staurday 2nd March

Tears and Prayers

Leaving Bethlehem, we follow the ancient route south to the historic city of Hebron, to visit the tombs of the Patriarchs, and see the effects of the Occupation in the very heart of this city so precious to all three faiths of this land. After a break for lunch, we return to the outskirts of Jerusalem, to the summit of the Mount of Olives, where we will spend the morning recalling the Palm Sunday route, and visiting places associated with particular events in the gospels as we slowly make our way downhill. We start at Bethphage, the traditional starting point of the procession of palms, and in the course of our journey will visit the church of the Pater Noster, where we recall Jesus’ teaching of the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples, and the church of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the fate of the city. Finally, we reach the Garden of Gethsemane, and the dark and brooding Church of All Nations, where we recall Jesus’ agonized prayers prior to his arrest, and reflect on the failure of his closest friends to keep awake and watch with him.

Day 7, Sunday 3rd March

The First Day of the Week

This morning we will visit St George’s Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, and worship with some of the local Christian community. Later in the day, we will have the chance of making a brief visit to the Western Wall, before heading to Ein Karem, a beautiful suburb of Jerusalem, home to the world-famous Hadassah Hospital. Here we will have a chance to see Marc Chagall’s remarkable stained glass depictions of the twelve sons of Jacob in the hospital synagogue. Ein Karem is also venerated as the birthplace of John the Baptist, and we will end the day by visiting a church associated with Mary’s meeting with her cousin Elizabeth, so that we, too, can sing Magnificat as the first day of the week draws to its close.

Day 8, Monday 4th March

"I do not know the man"

After an early breakfast, there will be an optional trip to the Jordan Valley basin, both to visit the site of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the caves which once were home to the Essene community, and also to have the chance to float in the waters of the Dead Sea. After lunch we will explore the holy sites located on Mount Zion, where the earliest Christian community lived in the days following the resurrection. Here we will find a site commemorating both the Upper Room used for the Last Supper as well as the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and a striking abbey in honour of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. The principal focus of the afternoon, however, will be a visit to the church of St Peter in Gallicantu, built at the top of an ancient set of steps which leads up from the City of David to what is believed to have been the residence of the Jewish High Priest. Many believe that Jesus himself was led up these steps to his trial by the Jewish authorities after his arrest. Here we will celebrate the Eucharist, as we recall not only Jesus’ incarceration over the last night of his life, but also Peter’s faithless threefold denial of Jesus.

Day 9, Tuesday 5th March

Taking up the cross

Today will be spent in the Old City, as we journey towards the site that is the ultimate pilgrim goal for a Christian - the place of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Entering the Old City through the Lions’ Gate, we come to the remarkable church of St Anne and the Pools of Bethesda, which we will visit, before coming to the start of the Via Dolorosa. Here we will celebrate the Eucharist, and then wind our way through the narrow alleys of the Old City, following the traditional Way of the Cross, culminating in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After a simple lunch in the Old City, the afternoon will be free, to allow some time for rest, reflection, shopping or exploration.

Day 10, Wednesday 6th March

The First Day of the Week

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel, and start heading west, towards the airport. After seven miles, we will stop at the village of Abu Ghosh, one of the sites associated with the village of Emmaus in the gospels, to celebrate our final Eucharist together. After a stop for lunch, we will arrive at Ben Gurion airport, to board our flight back to London, and our journey to our own homes. And we hope that each one of us will continue to tell our friends all that has happened to us on the road…

For the option of extending your tour to Jordan - please see go to top of page.

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