ITINERARY
‘Walking in the steps of Jesus’
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE
LED BY THE REVD. HAYDON WILCOX
Wednesday 21st October 2015- Sunday 1st November 2015
DAY 1 Wednesday 21st Oct 2015 - UK – The Holy Land
Departure from Heathrow Airport on the late morning flight arriving at David Ben Gurion Airport late afternoon, Tel Aviv. Proceed to Leonardo Inn Hotel, Jerusalem near to St. George’s Anglican Cathedral.
Evening guided bus tour of the city, especially experiencing contrasts between the Hasidic district, an Arab district, a secular district etc. This is not to be a viewing of sites but an experience of diverse culture in the city.
DAY 2 – Thursday 22ndOct 2015 – Jerusalem & Bethlehem
After breakfast go to BETHLEHEM and view the city from an olive grove and have a service of reflection. Visit the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. Visit a Palestinian Christian shop to buy gifts. Simple lunch in a restaurant around MANGER SQUARE.
A walking tour of the OLD CITY - through the modern JEWISH QUARTER, the CARDO and HERODIAN QUARTER. Visit the WESTERN WALL, visit the POOL OF BETHESDA. Leave through ST STEPHEN’S GATE.
Evening worship and speaker
DAY 3 – Friday 23rd Oct 2015 – Old Jerusalem
Visit the MOUNT OFOLIVES with its spectacular view of the OLD CITY, DOMINUS FLEVIT where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, the PATER NOSTER and proceed to the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE and CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS. Cross the KIDRON VALLEY for lunch break
At MOUNT ZION see DAVID’S TOMB, CAIAPHAS’ HOUSE and the SITE OF THE UPPER ROOM. Proceed to the GARDEN TOMB and GORDON’S CALVARY and celebrate there a service of Holy Communion in the garden.
Time to celebrate Shabbat with an act of worship and time of study
DAY 4 – Saturday 24thOct 2015 – The Dead Sea Region
Drive very early into the Judean Desert and stopping for a time of stillness in the desert. Proceed to MASADA, touring the fortress on the summit, seeing HEROD’S PALACE, the OLDEST SYNAGOGUE in the world and a FOURTH CENTURY CHURCH, ascending and descending by cable car.
Stop at EIN GEDI for lunch by the Dead Sea and an opportunity for a SWIM/FLOAT in the Dead Sea.
Visit QUMRAN, where the DEAD SEA SCROLLS were found.
A Jewish Folk evening of Israeli and Arab Dancing at the YMCA
DAY 5 – Sunday 25th Oct 2015 – Jerusalem
Go to the Anglican Cathedral of St. George’s for early Communion Service
Visit the SHRINE OF THEBOOK (where the Dead Sea Scrolls are located).
Visit to YAD VASHAM (the Holocaust Memorial).
Before lunch visit the MODEL OF JERUSALEM at the time of the 2nd Temple.
Lunch
Free time to shop
Evening (5 p.m.) worship with the KING OF KINGS Messianic Congregation
Evening meal out at a Jewish restaurant for people to experience traditional Jewish food.
DAY 6 – Monday 26th Oct 2015 – Old Jerusalem & Samaria
Return to the OLD CITY, to walk the VIA DOLOROSA, following the STATIONS OF THECROSS, ending up at the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE.
Lunch
Travel along the JORDON VALLEY PASSING THROUGH JERICHO AND ASCENDING THE MOUNT OF TEMPTATION, AND VIEWING ST. GEORGE’S MONESTARY BY THE WEDI KELT.
Proceed to Ariel to stay at Eshel Hashomron Hotel. Time to relax before evening meal. Visit the Biblical Garden.
Evening worship
DAY 7 – Tuesday 27th Oct 2015– Samaria Region (West Bank)
Through arrangement with with Hotel Manager, Tuvia Gelbard, to arrange bullet proof coach to visit the biblical sites of Shiloh, Elon Moreh, Mount Gerizim and to look out onto Shechem. An opportunity to meet a representative of the Samaritan community and to visit their synagogue.
A time for worship before the evening meal.
An evening to relax with local Christians and appreciate their missionary work and learn about Ariel and the struggles of this area. A coach to take us to visit the Christian Shop in Ariel and place of worship.
DAY 8 – Wednesday 28th Oct 2015 – The Galilee
Leave Ariel and travel to the Galilee
Morning visit to Beth She’an and explore this historical site.
Have a late LUNCH of St Peter’s fish at Ein Gev
Take a boat trip across the Lake
Visit the church of ST PETER’S PRIMACY near the LAKE.
This is the traditional site where Jesus met His disciples after His resurrection and where He commissioned Peter to feed His flock.
Go to NOF GINOSAR, a Kibbutz Hotel right by the shores of the SEA OF GALILEE and relax
Evening worship with a short study
DAY 9 – Thursday 29th Oct 2015 – The Galilee & Northern
Israel
An early morning to explore the Galilee area, visit nearby TABGHA, the place of seven springs and the feeding of the five thousand.
Go up the hillside to the CHURCH OF THE BEATITUDES. Continue to CAPERNAUM, here Jesus’ Galilean ministry was based, visiting the site of ST PETER’S HOUSE and an early Christian Church.
Proceed to CAESAREA PHILIPPI, view MOUNT HERMON in the distance, and pass TEL DAN and the GOLAN HEIGHTS. Visit the HERMON SPRINGS
An afternoon to relax at Nof Ginosar
Evening worship and a short study
DAY10 – Friday 30th Oct 2015 –Galilee
Visit the HAND IN HAND Galilee School in the Arab town of Sakhnin
Plant a tree at the tree-planting center is located near the busy Golani junction, in the Lavi Forest
Visit the Yardenit Baptismal site for the renewal of baptisimal vows or for the baptism of those who’ve not been baptised.
Late afternoon to relax at Nof Ginosar
For those who want a more reflective day people have the choice to either spend a quiet day at Nof Ginsor or to take an optional hike around part of the Sea of Galilee led by an experienced local guide to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and to experience the spirituality of this. the place where Jesus primarily ministered.
Time to celebrate Shabbat
DAY11 - Saturday 31st Oct 2015 – Galilee
Pass through MAGDALA, the home of Mary Magdalene and proceed to CANA for the renewal of wedding vows.
Travel CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION at NAZARETH.
Visit the Anglican Church in Nazareth
Picnic lunch at a viewpoint near Nazareth
Travel along the JORDON VALLEY to MOUNT TABOR, one of the traditional sites of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Ascend to the CHURCH via taxi. Thanksgiving Service in the side Chapel of the Church.
Proceed to hotel Gilgal, Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Coast for an easy transfer in the morning to David Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv
DAY 12 – Sunday 1st Nov 2015 – Israel – UK
Early departure to David Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv for the return flight to London, arriving at Heathrow at lunch time.