Nazareth
After our unsuccessful first attempt, we finally reached the highlight of the Nazareth and Sea of Galilee tour - Nazareth, Israel, on October 26, 2013. Nazareth, al-Naasira in Arabic and Natzeret in Hebrew, is believed to be site of the Annunciation and Jesus' childhood home.
This is the facade of the largest Christian church in the Middle East, the Basilica of Annunciation or Annunciation Church. The facade is made of cream limestone with reliefs of Mary, Gabriel, and the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Above them is a bronze statue of Jesus.
The Basilica is a two-storey building in striking modern architectural design and colorfully decorated. Here is the dimly lit lower church, a sunken enclosure sheltering the Grotto of Annunciation - the traditional site of Mary's house, and remnants of churches from the Byzantine and Crusader eras.
At this exact location is the site where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would conceived and 'bear a son' and 'call his name Jesus'.
This is the altar at the upper church featuring a large mosaic painting describing Jesus, Virgin Mary and St. Peter.
Natural light illuminates from the church's marvelous lily dome. The cupola's ribs representing the petals of an upside down lily - a symbol of Mary's purity - seems to rooted in heaven.
The floor at the altar of the upper church is made of inlaid marbles with scenes relating to the Virgin Mary and to Marian Councils.
The walls of the upper church along with the courtyards display several mosaic painting on the annunciation subject contributed by many nations. The paintings incorporate local characteristics of the nations. This particular painting with gold leaf and pearls, the most expensive according to our tour guide, is the Japanese version of Madonna and the Child.
This is the cupola of the Basilica viewed from the courtyard. The cupola, which dominates the modern-day Nazareth, is surmounted by a lantern symbolizing the Light of the World.
Archaeological excavation around the Holy Grotto revealed the sanctity of the site but also the remains of the ancient village of Nazareth.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
This is the statue of the Holy Family at the Church of St. Joseph which is believed to be built over the carpentry workshop of the husband of the Virgin Mary. The church located across the southern courtyard of Basilica of Annunciation is also known as the Church of the Nutrition and the Church of St. Joseph's Workshop.
The interior of the Church of St. Joseph is entirely in Romanesque-Crusade style.
This stained glass at the crypt inside the Church of St. Joseph depicts the Death of Joseph in the Arms of Jesus and Mary.
The altar inside the crypt at the Church of St. Joseph.
The crypt also reflects the Jewish roots of Christianity: in the past, Christian prayers has accepted the Jewish commandment and built ritual baths in the church to do so.
BASILICA OF ANNUNCIATION
This is the facade of the largest Christian church in the Middle East, the Basilica of Annunciation or Annunciation Church. The facade is made of cream limestone with reliefs of Mary, Gabriel, and the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Above them is a bronze statue of Jesus.
The Basilica is a two-storey building in striking modern architectural design and colorfully decorated. Here is the dimly lit lower church, a sunken enclosure sheltering the Grotto of Annunciation - the traditional site of Mary's house, and remnants of churches from the Byzantine and Crusader eras.
At this exact location is the site where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would conceived and 'bear a son' and 'call his name Jesus'.
This is the altar at the upper church featuring a large mosaic painting describing Jesus, Virgin Mary and St. Peter.
Natural light illuminates from the church's marvelous lily dome. The cupola's ribs representing the petals of an upside down lily - a symbol of Mary's purity - seems to rooted in heaven.
The floor at the altar of the upper church is made of inlaid marbles with scenes relating to the Virgin Mary and to Marian Councils.
The walls of the upper church along with the courtyards display several mosaic painting on the annunciation subject contributed by many nations. The paintings incorporate local characteristics of the nations. This particular painting with gold leaf and pearls, the most expensive according to our tour guide, is the Japanese version of Madonna and the Child.
This is the cupola of the Basilica viewed from the courtyard. The cupola, which dominates the modern-day Nazareth, is surmounted by a lantern symbolizing the Light of the World.
Archaeological excavation around the Holy Grotto revealed the sanctity of the site but also the remains of the ancient village of Nazareth.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
This is the statue of the Holy Family at the Church of St. Joseph which is believed to be built over the carpentry workshop of the husband of the Virgin Mary. The church located across the southern courtyard of Basilica of Annunciation is also known as the Church of the Nutrition and the Church of St. Joseph's Workshop.
The interior of the Church of St. Joseph is entirely in Romanesque-Crusade style.
This stained glass at the crypt inside the Church of St. Joseph depicts the Death of Joseph in the Arms of Jesus and Mary.
The altar inside the crypt at the Church of St. Joseph.
The crypt also reflects the Jewish roots of Christianity: in the past, Christian prayers has accepted the Jewish commandment and built ritual baths in the church to do so.
posted from Bloggeroid
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