In the footsteps of Jesus
Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth

I had won Cox & Kings’ Grab Your Dream Contest and the prize was an all-expenses paid trip to Israel. Here’s an account of just one facet of this trip. This story – In The Footsteps Of Jesus – appeared in Conde Nast Traveller India. Click to read it there.

Israel. Jesus had walked this land. I know of people dropping pins on a map, but His case is a little different – over the centuries, people have dropped pins all along the path He actually trod.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Inside St. Peter’s Basilica, Jaffa

Though mine was an itinerary of convenience, Israel continued to make me acutely aware of His footsteps everywhere I went.

In the footsteps of Jesus
St Peter’s Basilica, Tel Aviv

My casual brush with Him started in Tel Aviv. Before entering the labyrinth of sloping lanes in Jaffa that all lead to the pre-biblical port, we found ourselves gaping at St. Peter’s – Tel Aviv’s most imposing church.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth

In the footsteps of Jesus

This engagement with His footsteps grew serious soon after. Nazareth brought us to Basilica of the Annunciation. Its biblical significance is enormous. This is where Gabriel told Virgin Mary of her conceiving baby Jesus. The entrance of a narrow street leading to the basilica has an unfinished mosque. Its construction was stopped because Vatican intervened.

In the footsteps of Jesus
1st floor of Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth

Many nations have gifted this holy site their own renditions of Virgin Mary and baby Jesus in the form of paintings, illustrations, murals and installations. Some of those are adorning the walls of the basilica while many more have been displayed in the gallery on its periphery. I have seen fascination writ large on the visitors’ faces as they stand admiring these remarkable works of art.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Installation of Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, gifted by USA to the Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth

Not far from here, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, in and around Tabgha, some more gems are located, namely the Town of Jesus called Capharnaum, the Church of the Multiplication, the Church of the Transfiguration and the Mount of the Beatitudes. Each is inextricably linked to Him.

Capharnaum, the Town of Jesus (St. Peter's House)
Capharnaum, The Town of Jesus (St. Peter’s House)
In the footsteps of Jesus
Octagonal Capharnaum Church (No. 8 signifying Infinity)

Jesus left Nazareth when his work was not acknowledged there. He then moved on to Capharnaum, St. Peter’s mother-in-law’s village. A church has been built at a location that is believed to be St. Peter’s house. On the same scenic site, a new octagonal church has come up overlooking the deep blue Sea of Galilee.

In the footsteps of Jesus
St. Peter’s Statue

Statues of St. Francis and St. Peter have also been erected here. Excavations by archeologists around the area have also revealed ancient ruins of a synagogue built over another – the newer one is about 17 centuries old.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Fishing for St. Peter’s Fish in the Sea of Galilee

During our cruise on the Sea of Galilee, our boatman cast his fishing net to catch some St. Peter’s fish. If he had caught even one of them, we would have been considered a ‘blessed group’, but it was not to be.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Ancient Mount of the Beatitudes (Byzantine Church remains), Tabgha, Israel. It is believed to be the location where Jesus gave a famous sermon to his disciples.

Along the road that leads to Tabgha, there lies a small fenced mount that has a few excavated rocks, ostensibly from the biblical era. This is the famed Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus had delivered his most noted sermon to His disciples (Blessed are those… who remember!).

In the footsteps of Jesus
The Church of the Multiplication, Tabgha

The Church of the Multiplication is a minimalistic modern church. It is built on the site of one of Jesus’ miracles. It is said that here He fed a crowd with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Church of Transfiguration, Mount Tabor, Lower Galilee
In the footsteps of Jesus
Inside the Church of the Transfiguration

One of Jesus’ major miracles was Transfiguration. The mount of transfiguration is believed to be the site where Jesus transfigured into a luminous presence while He was with 3 of his apostles – John, James and Peter. A serene church has been built on this holy site. This is not just a revered place for Catholics, but for other sects of Christianity too. I found a group of Protestants performing their handholding ritualistic prayers here.

In the footsteps of Jesus
The Church of the Transfiguration, Mount Tabor, Lower Galilee

From Tabgha, while driving towards Golan Heights, we crossed a culvert and stopped. Our guide asked us to disembark from the vehicle but refused to explain the reason. We walked into the roadside clearing and suddenly heard the sound of flowing water. Soon enough we saw a gentle stream placidly flowing through the woods. Here, our guide revealed that we were standing on the banks of River Jordan – the holy river where the baptism of Jesus had taken place!

In the footsteps of Jesus
Mock baptism in progress at River Jordan – Jesus was baptised here!

Bethlehem brought us to the spot where Jesus was born. Riveted in a small nook tucked under an arch decorated by a golden tapestry, is a fourteen-pointed silver star (Bethlehem Star) that marks the place where Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to baby Jesus. This place was the first Palestinian site to be accorded the UNESCO World Heritage Site status and it bypassed the regular 18-month process normally followed for this honour.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Alcove where the Bethlehem Star is – Birthplace of Jesus
In the footsteps of Jesus
The Bethlehem Star – Birthplace of Jesus

Jerusalem has, by far, the most number of places linked to Jesus’ life. On Mount Zion, close to the Dormition Abbey, is the compound that houses King David’s tomb. The upper floor of this structure houses the chamber of the ‘Last Supper’.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Chamber of the Last Supper

As a city, old Jerusalem is divided into four quarters – Christian, Jewish, Armenian and Muslim. Via Dolorosa (literal translation – ‘path of suffering’) is the way on which Jesus carried the cross for his crucifixion – a pious practice still followed every Friday by hundreds of Christians. It has fourteen stations and every station is well marked. The first seven stations of Via Dolorosa meander through the Muslim Quarter, while stations eight and nine are in the Christian Quarter. The last five stations are inside the Holy Sepulchre (Sepulchre = Tomb, Mausoleum).

In the footsteps of Jesus
Cross being carried by Christian devotees in memory of Jesus’ Via Dolorosa
In the footsteps of Jesus
Armenian Catholic Patriarchate at the third station of Via Dolorosa

Station three, where Jesus stumbled and fell for the first time, has an Armenian church – Armenian Catholic Patriarchate. A Latin cross on the wall of an Orthodox Greek Monastery marks station eight, where Jesus consoled the women of the city. The path finally leads on to the Holy Sepulchre – a church that houses the location of his crucifixion and his tomb.

In the footsteps of Jesus
8th station of Via Dolorosa – Don’t cry for me, he tells the women of Jerusalem
In the footsteps of Jesus
Jesus’ tomb
In the footsteps of Jesus
Here, Jesus was crucified

Inside the Holy Sepulchre, there are also a few chapels, including St. Helena’s chapel. The dominant dome of the Holy Sepulchre has a portrayal of Jesus the Pantocrator, or sustainer almighty (Hindu equivalent of Vishnu, the preserver).

In the footsteps of Jesus
Jesus the Pantocrator, on the Big dome in the Holy Sepulchre

Just opposite the Holy Sepulchre is a mosque – the Mosque of Omar. Legend has it that Omar was asked to pray inside the Holy Sepulchre, but refused as he did not want Muslims to usurp the location as their own holy site. He signed a protection guarantee for Christians to freely pray in the Holy Sepulchre. This guarantee later became known as ‘Covenant of Omar’.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Descendant of the Nusseibeh family – the holder of the key to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (seated on the bench)

It was Omar who had entrusted the key of the Holy Sepulchre to his Governor, an ancestor of Nusseibeh family. Till date, this Muslim family holds the key. While entering the church, I was greeted and welcomed by the current key-holder descendant of the family.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Dormition Abbey as viewed from the terrace of King David’s Tomb

Now that Jesus was crucified, what next? Our guide led us to Mount of Olives. It lies to the east of Jerusalem. This mount has a Russian Orthodox Church dedicated to Maria Magdalene. She is believed to be the first disciple to see Jesus after his resurrection. Atop the mount is a small chapel, the Chapel of the Ascension. After the resurrection of Jesus (celebrated in the modern times as Easter Sunday), it is believed that He ascended to heaven from a revered stone in this Chapel.

In the footsteps of Jesus
Chapel of the Ascension

Jesus had a short but eventful life. While I was being guided through the path He followed through Israel and Palestine, one thing that left me in awe was the unbelievable convergence of the varied religions, faiths and nationalities around Him and His life. Visit Israel and chances are you would also end up querying the veracity of the geographic and cultural boundaries our race has created.

BTW, this entire experience enriched my travel photography journey!

 

Comments

comments

25 COMMENTS

    • Thanks, Jamie! Glad you liked the images. Yes, if I had visited Israel on my own, chances are I would have missed half the things as I didn’t know about them till my visit.

  1. This is an incredible account. Despite not holding the faith I was raised with, I understand the gravity and import of each site you visited and I did get some goosebumps. I don’t know how a visit to the Holy Land would impact me, but reading your account was really incredible.

    • True, that, Rob! These places are high up on a traveller’s radar, whether or not you hold the faith. Do make a visit there. Well-worth it! And, thanks for your kind words!

  2. I would love to go to Israel and your description and beautiful photos made my desire to go even more urgent! It must have been an incredible trip: between history and cultural richness, I can’t think of a more interesting country to visit

    • Israel hung around on my bucket list for a long time. When I finally got around to visiting it, I instantly knew why it was on my bucket list! A veritable mish-mash of cultures, religions and ethnicity, that’s what Israel truly is! Thanks for your kind words, Marta!

  3. Israel is a country to visit at least once I guess. Sean, my other half, has been able to spend 3 months in Israel, I still have to go. There is so much one can say, but indeed, your photos say it all. Really beautiful!

    • Thanks for your appreciation, Sabine! Do visit soon as this country has a knack of continually changing what you can or cannot access, thanks to on-going instability in the region!

  4. Wow! Your photos are truly beautiful and tell so much story 🙂 After reading this post I want to go even more to Israel. My plan was to go there early this year, however I found out that Iran would not let me in to their country if I had a stamp from Israel in my passport, so I had to make a choice.
    However I hope to go there soon, Israel is so rich with heritage and I think it’s fascinating to finally visit those places you learn so much about in school (at least if you are from a christian country like me) . Then walk in the footsteps of Jesus 🙂

    • I, being a non-christian, knew little about Jesus or Bible. This visit enriched me. It was fascinating to see the places I had only heard about. Yes, you are right, it is fulfilling to finally visit the places you had only a vague idea about. You must visit this interesting country, Asa!

  5. As always, Ajay, your photos are absolutely incredible. I love the theme of this post! The idea of walking in the footsteps of peoples past just makes me shiver with excitement.. Jealous my friend, very jealous.

    • You are right Paola! In fact, despite being a small country, Israel offers a lot – It has a holocaust museum in jerusalem that’s about the WW-II atrocities on Jews; you also seamlessly travel into Palestine here and see the human rights struggle Palestinians are engaged in; you also see holiest of holy sites of Muslims and Jews here, besides Christianity!

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