ORTHODOX PILGRIMAGE

Arrival in Tel Aviv. Our Tour Escort meets us here and group will proceed directly to Galilee for dinner and overnight.

Begin the morning with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and then proceed to visit the Greek Orthodox Church at Capernaum; followed by a visit to the ancient Synagogue where Jesus preached. Visit also include Mt of Beatitudes and then the Church of the Multiplication of Fish and Loaves then to Peters Primacy church. Enjoy your included lunch today. In the afternoon drive on the eastern Side of the Sea of Galilee, passing by the Byzantine church of Kursi where Jesus healed the demon possessed man. Then we drive to the Golan Heights. We follow the road to Damascus for a spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee and the land of Decapolis Return to the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Following our included breakfast, we set off for Mt. Tabor, known as the "Mt of Transfiguration," to explore the Greek Orthodox Church situated there, where Jesus revealed his divine nature to his disciples. Next, we head to Cana of Galilee to visit the Wedding Church, where vow renewals can be arranged. We will then drive to Nazareth to visit the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation at Mary’s Well, and also explore Nazareth Village. Finally, we return to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and an overnight stay.

Enjoy an open buffet breakfast. After checking out from the hotel, we depart for Haifa to visit St. Elias Church on Mt. Carmel, where the Prophet hid from King Ahab. We then proceed to Caesarea, traveling through the Plains of Sharon. A guided tour awaits us, featuring the Theatre, Herod’s Palace, Hippodrome Port, and Aqueducts. Our journey continues to Ein Karem to see St. John Ba Harim, the birthplace of John the Baptist, and Mary’s Spring, where Mary shared the good news with her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. We arrive in Jerusalem for dinner and an overnight stay.

Enjoy an open buffet breakfast. We will begin our day with a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church in Bethany, which commemorates the location where Jesus encountered the Sisters, situated at the town's entrance. This will be followed by a tour of Lazarus's empty tomb. Next, we will embark on a full-day excursion to Jericho, traveling along the ancient Roman Road, where we will pause to admire St. George’s Monastery. Upon reaching Jericho, we will take a cable car to the Greek Orthodox Monastery on the Mount of Temptation, where we will explore the Monastery and enjoy stunning views of Jericho, the Dead Sea, Mount Moab, and Mount Nebo in Jordan. Continuing our exploration of Jericho, we will visit the St. Zaccheus Greek Orthodox Church, where we can see the ancient Sycamore Tree, traditionally believed to be the tree Zacchaeus climbed to see the Lord pass by. We will then stop at the Jordan River Baptismal site at Bet Arabah to renew our Baptismal vows. The day will conclude with a visit to the shores of the Dead Sea, allowing time for a refreshing dip in its unique mineral waters. We will return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight accommodations.

Today, we will ascend the Mount of Olives, starting with a visit to the Ascension Chapel, followed by a walk down the Palm (Willow) Sunday Road, where we will stop at the Church of Mary Magdalene. Our journey will take us to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Grotto of Gethsemane, both significant holy sites. Next, we will visit the Church of the Assumption, where we will pray at the Tomb of the Virgin Mary. We will then proceed to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus. Following this, we will explore the Shepherd's Field (Orthodox Church) before breaking for lunch on your own. While the men visit the Monastery of St. Sabas in the desert, the women will have free time for shopping in Bethlehem. We will spend the night in Jerusalem.

Enjoy an open buffet breakfast. Today, we will explore the Old City of Jerusalem, beginning at the Pools of Bethesda and the Church of St. Anne’s, which is recognized as the birthplace of the Virgin Mary. We will walk and pray along the Via Dolorosa, retracing the steps of Jesus' passion. Our visit continues at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where we will see Golgotha, The Empty Tomb, and the Chapel of the Cross, followed by a visit to the nearby Alexander Nevsky Church. Next, we will explore the Jewish Quarter and the Wailing Wall. On our way to Mount Zion, we will pass St. Stephen Church, the site where the first Christian martyr was stoned to death. This afternoon, we will visit St. Peter in Galicantu Church, also known as Caiaphas Palace, the Upper Room, and King David’s Tomb. We will conclude our day with a visit to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Cross. Afterward, we will return to our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Jerusalem.

Today, we will check out from our hotel. Our first stop is Lod, where we will visit St. George’s Monastery, the burial site of the patron saint of the Holy Land, St. George the Dragon Slayer. Next, we will head to Jaffa, where we will explore ancient Jaffa, including the Church of St. Peter. We will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport for your flight back home.