2021 Holy Land Pilgrimage — Women’s Perspectives
A Pilgrimage guided by The Rev. Dr. Kamal Farah and coordinated by Laurie Parrish
October 30th to November 14th, 2021
(With an Optional Prelude in Jordan October 25th to 30th)
Join a two-week trip to the Holy Land for both men and women that combines spiritual, cultural and physical exploration.
You will be invited to reflect on the roots of our Christian Faith, meet women from other cultures and beliefs, read the hidden messages of the holy sites, penetrate their signs and their call, and reconsider the call of your Christian commitments.
We will enjoy the splendid landscape, authentic Mediterranean foods and fruits, the special experiences of a Dead Sea spa, a Bedouin oasis and a camel ride.
October 25, Monday: Departure - Depart for Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan
October 26, Tuesday: Arrival Jordan, Madaba – Arrive & have a half-hour transfer to our Madaba, Jordan hotel for dinner and overnight
October 27, Wednesday: Jerash - Madaba – Our time in Jordan will begin with a visit to Jerash, UNESCO site and one of the world’s largest and best-preserved Roman cities. We will meet with a Jordanian Muslim woman, then have dinner and overnight in Madaba.
October 28, Thursday: Madaba Map - Mt. Nebo - Petra - After breakfast, we will see the 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land, then visit Mt. Nebo where Moses viewed The Promised Land. After a bus ride to the south, we’ll check into our Petra hotel. That evening, we will have the option to visit the beautiful Petra by Night where hundreds of candles light the mile-long Siq to the Treasury for a magical walk and experience.
October 29, Friday: Petra - Our Jordanian guide will introduce us to Petra, the UNESCO site & ancient city that was carved into rose-colored stone, a fascinating and other-worldly place on the Incense Road and the Silk Trail. After lunch you’ll have some free time with options to ride a camel or hike the 800 steps to the Monastery.
October 30, Saturday: Petra/Departure for Tel Aviv – Enjoy a free Day in Petra with the opportunities to visit the new Petra Museum, shop, explore or get some rest. Lunch is on your own. The part of our group that’s not visiting Jordan departs for Tel Aviv.
October 31, Sunday: Arrival in Nazareth – Early departure on our bus to cross into Israel/Rest of the group arrives in Tel Aviv and transfers to Nazareth. We will gather for Eucharist, dinner and overnight in Nazareth.
November 1, Monday: Nazareth - Sepphoris - Circassians - Today starts with a visit to the ancient and multi-cultural city of Sepphoris and its beautiful mosaics. After lunch, we will visit the Circassian Center to learn about this Holy Land minority that was Christian and is now Muslim. Later in Nazareth, we will hear from a Christian woman that is supported by Fr. Kamal’s Holy Land Student Fund.
November 2, Tuesday: Nazareth – Haifa – Akko – We will venture west to Haifa and the Ahmadieh Mosque, followed by a visit to the beautiful Bahai Gardens accompanied by a Bahia host. We will enjoy a special lunch in Akko and visit the Aljazar Mosque. Back to Nazareth for dinner and overnight.
November 3, Wednesday: Nazareth – This day begins with a majestic Biblical historical overview from Mt. Precipice, followed by a visit to Mary's Well, the Ancient Spice Shop, and Church of the Annunciation. After lunch we hope to visit the first century ruins under the Sisters of Nazareth Convent, then journey into the time of Jesus at Nazareth Village. After our tour, a Christian woman from the West will share about her life in Nazareth today. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.
November 4, Thursday: Arrive at the Sea of Galilee – As we go east toward the sea, we’ll stop at Mt. Arbel to view the sites where Jesus was around the Sea of Galilee. We’ll continue to the Jesus Trail, Magdala, and Capernaum. After lunch, we’ll see the ancient boat and take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight in our lodgings by the sea.
November 5, Friday: Banias/Caesarea Phillipi – This morning we’ll head north to enjoy the springs of the Jordan River by Caesarea Phillipi, meet with a Druze lady and visit their market. After lunch, we’ll travel to the east side of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus healed the demoniac. Dinner and overnight by the sea.
November 6, Saturday: Sea of Galilee – After breakfast, we’ll see the beautiful view and gardens at the Mt. of Beatitudes, then have an optional short hike to Eremos, the lonely place where Jesus prayed. Nearby we’ll visit the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes and St. Peter’s Primacy. After lunch, we’ll see the Old Synagogue and hot springs in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight by the sea.
November 7, Sunday: Travel to Jericho & Bethlehem – We’ll start with Eucharist at Jesus’ Baptismal Site, then see Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world—10,000 years! After lunch, we will visit a Jewish lady in a Settlement. In the afternoon we will experience a 4th generation olive wood workshop. Olive wood carving is a fundamental Christian industry in the area. Bethlehem hotel for dinner and overnight.
November 8, Monday: Bethlehem – Bethlehem University will be our first stop today to meet w/Palestinian women, then we’ll visit a Palestinian Refugee Camp. After lunch we’ll see the Shepherd's Field and Church of the Nativity. Bethlehem Hotel for dinner and overnight.
November 9, Tuesday: Dead Sea Spa & Bedouin Experience – This is our relaxing day in a Dead Sea Spa. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Kfar-Hanokdim for a camel ride, meet with a Bedouin woman and stay the night in the Bedouin camp.
November 10, Wednesday: Masada to Jerusalem – This will be an invigorating morning with an optional hike the easy way up Masada. After lunch we’ll check into our Jerusalem hotel and meet with a Jerusalemite Muslim woman. After dinner, we will hear from a Palestinian Christian woman. Jerusalem hotel for dinner and overnight.
November 11, Thursday: Jerusalem – We’ll start with an early visit to the Temple Mount/Al Aqsa, then go to the Church of Mary Magdalene on the Mt. of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. After lunch we’ll meet with a Jewish woman then have a tour of the Church of the Resurrection/Holy Sepulchre. Jerusalem hotel for dinner and overnight.
November 12, Friday: Jerusalem – Today we’ll have an early departure for Mt. Gerizim, where we will meet with a Samaritan woman, then visit Jacob's Well. We’ll go back to Jerusalem for an afternoon Shabbat visit to the Western Wall. This evening, we’ll celebrate at our Farewell Dinner and stay in Jerusalem overnight.
November 13, Saturday: Jerusalem – Enjoy a free Day in Jerusalem where you can walk the Stations of the Cross, explore the ramparts of the old city walls, wander, rest or shop. Lunch is on your own. We hope to offer a special evening experience at a holy site.
November 14, Sunday: Our bus will take us to the Tel Aviv airport with full hearts and minds for a lifetime of memories.
***Please note that this itinerary is not a contract and may change according to the needs of the day. ***
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