Church of the Incarnation Pilgrimage to the Holy Land ... - Illume

Church of the Incarnation Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
EVENT SPECIFICS
Church of the Incarnation Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
November 8-19, 2010
Join Father Gregory Kandt, members of the Church of the Incarnation and their friends and
traveling companions for an inspiring and transformative journey to the Holy Land. Many
people consider the land of Israel-Palestine to be the 5 th Gospel – a place where the people,
places and events of the scriptures come to life. Much of the land continues to be evocative
of the life and times of great men and women of faith. Walking in the footsteps of Jesus on
the shores of Galilee or in the narrow streets of the old city of Jerusalem are powerful
experiences that change pilgrims forever. Travel to places of great historical and religious
significance nurtures the spirit, encourages participants to renew their committment to their
faith and local congregation, broadens perspectives and builds bonds with fellow sojourners.
Our program includes visits to the center of Jesus’ life and ministry in Nazareth and Galilee,
to Jerusalem – a city held sacred by Jews, Christians and Muslims, and to Bethlehem, the
birthplace of Jesus. We will journey along the Dead Sea to visit the enchanting sites of
Masada and Qumran. Our program includes first class accommodations and services
throughout with local expert guides. We hope you will join us!
We are all members of a global community that is increasingly interdependent. The future of
our world depends on our cultivating a spirit of hospitality, respect, understanding and
compassion for one another. Enlightenment comes in many forms, but we believe that there
are few life experiences more moving than exploring other cultures, meeting people of diverse
backgrounds, and becoming a citizen of the world – leading and inspiring respectful and
compassionate ways of life.
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Church of the Incarnation Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
EVENT SPECIFICS
Our Program
Monday, November 8
We depart from Washington D.C. Dulles International on an
overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast will be served on
the flight.
Tuesday, November 9
We arrive in Tel Aviv and meet our tour manager at the airport.
We will transfer via private deluxe motorcoach to the Stella Maris
Guesthouse on Mt. Carmel. A welcome liturgy is scheduled at El
Muhraqa followed by a welcome dinner at the monastery.
Overnight on Mt. Carmel.
The Carmelite order was founded on Mt. Carmel. It is the home
of the Wadi-ain-es-Siah Carmelite Monastery which was
inhabited by hermits as a place of worship. "Elijah's cave" is
found below the current "Stella Maris" monastery. Elijah defeated
the pagan prophets of Baal: both Elijah and the prophets of Baal
set up sacrifices, but only Elijah's burst into flames proving who
the true God was (1 Kings 18: 17-40). The Old Testament
prophets were significantly impacted by Mt. Carmel and they
used it as a symbol for strength, beauty (Song of Songs 7:5) and
fertility.
Wednesday, November 10
Breakfast. This morning we visit Nazareth with Mass at the
Grotto in the Basilica of the Annunciation (we will have some free
time her for reflection.) We will also see St. Joseph's Church and
the Monastery of the Poor Clares. Later we will visit Nazareth
Village (the recreation of 1st century Nazareth). This afternoon we
continue on to Caesarea Maritima for a visit. Afterwards we return
to Mt. Carmel and spend some time at the Wadi 'ani es-Shiah.
Dinner and overnight on Mt. Carmel.
Nazareth is Jesus’ home town. The city was a modest size village
during the time of Jesus and suffered during the Jewish revolt
against the Romans in the 1st century. Today it is inhabited by
Christians, Jews and Muslims and includes a medieval
architectural center as well as a covered souk. The main
attraction here is the Basilica of the Annunciation – a modern
church built over the ruins of a Byzantine church built over a cave
where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary announcing that she
had been chosen by God to be the mother of the Messiah. There
are also ruins nearby of a site believed to be the home and
workshop of Joseph. (We may be able to get a glimpse of the
new excavations of a house from the time of Jesus that was just
discovered in December 2009.)
Caesarea Maritima was built by King Herod and later became the
seat of government of the Roman governors including Pontius
Pilate who sat in judgment on Jesus Christ and sentenced him to
be crucified. We shall visit the extensive excavations of the site
including the harbor, the Crusader City, the theatre, the
hippodrome and the Roman aqueduct. A visit here permits us to
consider the Roman influence in this region.
Thursday, November 11
After breakfast we travel to the Sea of Galilee. Our first visits
include Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes. Then we
continue to Tabgha - with Mass at the Mensa Christi altar by the
shore. Afterwards there is some free time to enjoy the site and
have a snack at the snack bar there. We travel to Bethsaida for a
visit and then to Yardenit (on the Jordan River) for a renewal of
baptism vows. Return to Mt. Carmel for dinner and overnight.
Capernaum is one of the most important sites along the shores of
Galilee. There is an extensive archaeological park here with ruins
from the 1st century. This was the city where many of Jesus’ first
disciples lived. A church is built over the ruins believed to be the
house of Simon Peter where Jesus cured his mother-in-law. The
ruins of a 4th century synagogue underscore the long-term
importance of this city for Jewish life in the region.
Near Capernaum is Tabgha. It is here that Jesus did much of his
preaching. The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and
Fishes commemorates the miracle of the feeding of those
gathered to hear Jesus. The Mensa Christi altar is at this site –
overlooking the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The Mount of Beatitudes is the place where Jesus gave his
“sermon on the mount.” This is a particularly beautiful site. For
interfaith groups, it is an important opportunity to compare and
contrast Jewish and Christian spirituality as Matthew’s Gospel
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Church of the Incarnation Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
EVENT SPECIFICS
attempts to present Jesus as a Moses figure and the Beatitudes
as a way of understanding the spirit of the Torah. The Church of
the Primacy of Peter, on the shore, commemorates Jesus’
commissioning Peter to lead his disciples.
Friday, November 12
Breakfast. This morning we visit Mt. Tabor with Mass and time for
reflection. Then we travel to Jerusalem via the Jordan River Valley.
Visit one of the desert monasteries - perhaps St. George. Upon
arrival in Jerusalem, we will stop at the Mount of Olives for a
panoramic view of the Old City. Next we visit the Western Wall
for the beginning of Shabbat before checking into our hotel.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Mt. Tabor is the site associated with Jesus’ Transfiguration. It is a
beautiful and serene location where a basilica built in the ruins of
a 12th century fortress commemorate the event.
The Judean Desert is a unique geographical setting that attracted
many spiritual men and women seeking retreat from the
distractions of ordinary life in order to pray and meet God in a
more intense way. The area was popular with both Jewish
ascetics as well as later Christian monastic groups.
The Mount of Olives rises to the east of the Old City of Jerusalem.
It has been a burial site for 4500 years – with acres of tombs
covering the hillsides. It is believed that this is where the Messiah
will first beckon the faithful to the resurrection. There are
breathtaking views from the Mount of Olives of the Old City of
Jerusalem including an unobstructed view of the Temple Mount
and the Dome of the Rock.
The Western Wailing Wall is one of the most important
pilgrimage site for Jews. The Wall is part of the retaining wall for
the Temple Mount built by Herod the Great. Over the centuries it
has become a place of Jewish pilgrimage where Jews lament the
destruction of the temple and pray (placing small written prayers
in the cracks of the large stones).
Saturday, November 13
After breakfast we begin with the Stations of the Cross walking
along the Via Dolorosa , ending at the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre. We will have some free time here for reflection. We
will celebrate Mass at either the Pater Noster Chapel or the
Dormition Abbey. Overnight in Jerusalem.
The Via Dolorosa is a route through the Old City of Jerusalem that
traces the path of Jesus’ journey from his trial and flagellation to
his crucifixion and burial. Christians stop at 14 stations to
remember important moments of that journey and to pray. The
Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was first built by Emperor
Constantine and his mother Helena in the 4th century. In the
11th century it was rebuilt and has been enlarged and repaired
over the centuries. It encloses two important sites – Golgotha, the
site of Jesus’ crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus, where he was laid
to rest after his death and where he resurrected. Disputes over
access to the most important pilgrimage site for Christians led to
a resolution under the Ottoman Turks, dividing custody among
Armenians, Greeks, Cops, Roman Catholics, Ethiopians and
Syrians.
Sunday, November 14
Breakfast. This morning we will visit the Upper Room and tomb of
King David, St. Peter in Gallicantu and then several of the sites on
the Mt. of Olives including Dominus Flevit and the Russian
Orthodox Monastery. We will celebrate Mass at St. Anne's and
see the Pools of Bethesda. We will have some free time to
explore the Old City at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
A crusader building houses the “Upper Room,” place where the
disciples dined with Jesus – the so-called “Last Supper.” It is
here that Jesus washed their feet and announced his impending
death. Jews believe that in the lower level of the building,
amongst a series of chambers, is the Tomb of King David. This
continues to be an important Jewish pilgrimage site.
The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu is built over some 1st
century caves and buildings. According to tradition, this is where
Jesus was held prisoner prior to his trial and where Peter denied
knowing Jesus when he was accused of being one of his
followers.
The Pater Noster Church commemorates the place when Jesus
taught his disciples to pray. The Chapel of Dominus Flevit is built
around a rock in the garden believed by medieval pilgrims to have
been the place where Jesus wept over his impending passion.
The Church of All Nations was built over the site where Jesus
prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The Pool of Bethesda consists of two cisterns from the 8th and
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Church of the Incarnation Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
EVENT SPECIFICS
3rd century BC used to collect rain water for the city. It is
believed that this is where Jesus cured a paralysed man (John
5:1-15). The Church of St. Anne is built over the site where
Anne and Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary, lived.
Monday, November 15
Breakfast. A morning visit to the Israel Museum is scheduled to
see the model of Jerusalem. Mass will be celebrated at the
Sisters of Zion or another historical site in the Old City (to be
determined). The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and
overnight in Jerusalem.
Tuesday, November 16
Breakfast. Morning Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Then we travel to Massada for a visit and Ein Gedi for a swim in
the Dead Sea. If time and interest permits we will stop at Qumran
on the way back to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Massada, the site of the last Jewish resistance against the
Romans in 73 AD. It is an impressive fortress built high upon a
plateau. Originally, Herod had used it as a desert palace. There
are extensive ruins accessible by a gondola or, for the more
athletically inclined, by winding foot path. There are magnificent
views of the desert and the Dead Sea.
Qumran is the site where the Essenes – an ascetical Jewish
community of the 1st century – llived and prepared for the coming
of the Messiah. Their writings were lost until a Bedouin shepherd
found a cave full of jars containing their scrolls in 1947. The socalled
Dead Sea Scrolls were instrumental in helping scholars
better understand the various movements that were active in 1st
century Palestine and their relationship to the life and teachings
of Jesus. The scrolls are now preserved in the Israeli Museum in
Jerusalem.
the place of Jesus’ birth in the Grotto of the Nativity. The Field of
Shepherds commemorates the place where the shepherds
learned of Jesus’ birth and came to pay him homage.
Thursday, November 18
Breakfast. This morning we visit Temple Mount and the Jerusalem
Archaeological Complex and Davidson Center. Continue with a
visit to Yad Vashem and then Ein Karem. Conclude with a visit to
Abu Ghosh (to the Benedictine Monastery) - participating in Mass
at the monastery that is celebrated by the monks. Then we make
our way to Tel Aviv. A farewell dinner is scheduled at a local
restaurant. Then, either transfer to the airport for a very late flight
to the USA, or overnight in Tel Aviv.
The Yad Vashem memorial is a center that includes archives,
exhibits and monuments. It commemorates those who lost their
lives during the Holocaust and those who risked their lives
seeking to assist Jews – such as Oskar Schindler. The exhibits
help visitors gain an appreciation for the various dimensions of the
Holocaust under the Nazi regime.
Ein Karem is a beautiful village where John the Baptist was born.
Several churches and monasteries were built here to
commemorate his life, including the visitation of Mary to her
cousin Elizabeth.
Friday, November 19
Depending upon our flight schedule we may return to the U.S.A.
early in the morning. Otherwise, after breakfast we will transfer to
the airport for our return flight to Washington D.C. arriving later in
the afternoon or evening.
Wednesday, November 17
Breakfast. Today we embark on an excursion to Bethlehem. We
visit Herodion before returning to Israel to visit Lakish and
Bethany (Lazarus' tomb) – where we will celebrate Mass. Dinner
and overnight in Jerusalem.
Bethlehem is the traditional birth place of Jesus. The town is not
far from Jerusalem and attempts to preserve some of the pastoral
feel it must have had in the 1st century. In the 4th century,
Constantine built a church over the site of Jesus’ birth. The
church has been enlarged and rebuilt several times. A star marks
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Church of the Incarnation Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
EVENT SPECIFICS
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Inclusive Features
Roundtrip air transporation via regularly scheduled flights
between Washington D.C. and Tel Aviv.
Hotel accommodations in four star hotels or religious
guesthouses in twin bedded rooms with private baths as follows:
Mt. Carmel ~ Stella Maris Guesthouse ~ 3 nights
Jerusalem ~ Knight’s Palace Guesthouse ~ 6 nights
Tel Aviv ~ 4 star hotel ~ 1 night
Continental buffet breakfast served daily in the hotels.
Dinner served daily at the hotels.
One Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Services of a professional government licensed English-speaking
tour manager/guide in Israel.
Transportation via private deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach.
Privately guided sightseeing as per the itinerary including
entrance fees.
Luggage, porterage, road and local taxes.
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Program Prices
$3150.00 per person based on double occupancy
$ 450.00 additional estimate- airline taxes, airport fees, security
fees, fuel surcharges
$580.00 supplement for single room occupancy
Please note: Single rooms for single use are limited to 10% of the
total number of rooms reserved. Thereafter, double rooms for
single use will be secured at a supplemental cost of
approximately 150%.
Land Only Program Prices:
(excludes all air transportation and airport transfers)
$2725.00 per person based on double occupancy
$580.00 supplement for single room occupancy
All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When
paying with a credit card you will be charged the standard base
price which is 5% higher.
purchase the plan, the premium is due with the initial deposit.
Illume recommends that you purchase travel insurance to cover
the cost of the investment you will make. Travel insurance
provides peace of mind and protection against the unexpected.
Please read the illume Conditions and Clauses attached to the
Program Registration Application to review the charges that will
apply in the event that you cancel your program participation.
Illume offers several options to travel insurance. To learn more
click on the Travel Insurance link provided on the Travel Resource
Center for your program:
www.travelillume.com/trc/inc
The prices are based on availability of services at the time
registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect
December 7, 2009 and on 2010 land and air tariffs and are
subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume’s
Conditions and Clauses.
Program Registration:
Complete the Registration Application.
Forward with your $800.00 deposit per person (and insurance
premium if applicable) to: (initial deadline has passed, but we will
continue to accept registrations on a space-available basis)
Fr. Gregory Kandt
Church of the Incarnation
1465 Incarnation Dr.
Charlottesville, VA 22901
gregory@incarnationparish.org
(434) 973-4381
Balance of payment due not later than:
August 8, 2010
Program No. 9543.10
Travel Insurance Premiums:
$ 138.00 Deluxe Group Travel Insurance Plan
$ 258.00 Deluxe Plan with Cancel for Any Reason
The Group Deluxe Insurance plan is optional. If you wish to
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