Fact Sheet for Classic Tour from Haifa Port - Christian Oriented

TOUR FROM HAIFA PORT FACT SHEET Haifa - 266,000 population; 90% Jewish 700,000 Metropolitan area. 8% Arab most Muslim) Largest port in Israel. Built on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Home to the Baha'i World Center. The port has been mentioned in recorded history for over 3400 years. Home to two major universities - Haifa University and the Technion. Wonderful Museum at Haifa University – the Hecht Archeological Museum Bahai Terrace and Gardens- UNESCO World Heritage Site. “The Hanging Garden's of Haifa”. Situated on Mount Carmel Surrounds the Shrine of the Bab. The faith starts in Persia/Iran in mid 19th Century – much persecution. The 18 Terraces represent the first 18 disciples of of the Bab. With the level of the Shrine of the Bab there are 19 terraces – very important number in the faith. Fariborz Sahba began work in 1987 designing the gardens and oversaw construction. Gardens completed in 2001. Bahai believe in the unity of all religions – Moses, Jesus and ohters were messengers of God The most recent of these heavenly teachers, according to Baha'is, was Baha'u'llah (1817-92), whose arrival was heralded by the Bab. Baha'u'llah was exiled by the Turkish authorities to Acre (Akko), where he wrote his doctrines and died a peaceful death in Bahji House. The Bab's remains were hidden for years after he died a martyr's death in front of a firing squad in 1850. Eventually, the Bab's remains were secretly carried to the Holy Land. During one of his visits to Haifa in 1890, Baha'u'llah pointed out to his son the spot on Mount Carmel where the remains of the Bab should be laid to rest in a befitting tomb. Mount of Beatitudes Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7; Antonio Barluzzi 1939. Catholic/Franciscan Tabgha – SEVEN SPRINGS. Church of the Multiplication of Fish and Loaves Catholic/Benedictine – Current church built in the 1980s on foundation of Byzantine church and mosaic. It is possible to identify lotus, oleander and lily; also duck, snipe, heron, goose, dove, swan, cormorant, flamingo and stork. A tower marked with bands bearing Greek letters, probably for measuring the water level of the Sea of Galilee (known as a "nilometer"), is also depicted. “And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men”. (Mark 6: 30-44) Church of the Primacy of St. Peter - Catholic/Franciscan: 1933 built on foundation of 4th century church. The church of St. Peter’s Primacy was built by Franciscans in 1933 to remember the place where Jesus bestowed church leadership on Peter in Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” The church is built over a flat rock that Byzantine pilgrims believed was the Mensa Christi where Jesus ate fish with his disciples after the resurrection. Capernaum Capernaum was the center of Jesus activities in the Galilee and his town during that time. Jesus taught in the local synagogue. It was also the home town of the apostles Peter, James, Andrew and John, and the tax collector Matthew. The Synagogue was built at the end of the 4th century CE. This building was built from white limestone, which is in contrast with the local black basalt buildings. It had a roof, which stood over the pillars that are seen in the hall. This earlier synagogue was the center of activities of Jesus, where he taught (Mark 1:21: "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.") Luke 4:31 "And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days." Mathew 4:13, 18:22 According to Mathew , Capernaum is "in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim". "And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim" The text continues to tells us that here in Capernaum Jesus chooses the fishermen as disciples: "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him." Nazareth – Basilica of the Annunciation 1969 Giavanni Munzio Roman Catholic/Franciscan Built over Byzantine and Crusader churches. Has the childhood home of Mary in the Grotto. The angel Gabriel to a virgin called Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her son Jesus, meaning "Saviour". Many Christians observe this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on 25 March, nine full months before Christmas. According to the Bible (Luke 1:26), the Annunciation occurred "in the sixth month" of Elisabeth's pregnancy with the child later called John the Baptist. St. Joseph's Church, Joseph's Work Shop Church of the Nutrition (Luke 2: 39-40).Built in 1914, on the foundations of a Crusader church, with Romanesque influences. Mount Precipice Luke 4 (16-30) Mary's Well The structure seen today was is a 1960s reconstruction of a well-house from the 19th century and stands over the ancient public well possibly used by Mary. Today, water no longer flows to Mary's Well. Recent excavations have uncovered possible Byzantine and especially Crusader-era tunnels running from the well to houses in the area. Pottery from the 2nd century AD was also found here.