Christian Pilgrimages
Explore the depths of the biblical sites and ancient Christian landmarks with our expert guide as you relive the stories of the Bible and walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Our Christian Pilgrimages are spiritual journeys of the Holy Land that can be tailored specifically to the needs of each Christian denomination group.
Visit Jesus’ birthplace in Bethlehem, his hometown of Nazareth and walk through the Old City of Jerusalem along Via Dolorosa towards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Enjoy the beautiful sights, sounds, tastes and smells from a local perspective as you navigate your way through the Holy Land, interact with locals, learn about the ancient history and gain insight into the lives of the local Christian communities today.
Biblical Sites
Holy Trails
Masses & services
Cherished Memories
Christian Heritage Experience
Greek Orthodox Pilgrimage
Holy Land Catholic Pilgrimage
Holy Land Protestant Pilgrimage
Russian Orthodox Pilgrimage
HOLY SITES
Bethlehem – Southeast
Built over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Church of the Nativity is an official UNESCO World Heritage site located in the center of Bethlehem. It is the oldest church in the Holy Land and holds religious significance to various Christian communities. It is overseen and managed by several Christian denominations, namely: Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic Orders, as well as Syriacs and Copts.
Shepherd’s Field: In the Village of Beit Sahour, southeast of Bethlehem, is Shepherd’s Field, a sacred place where it is said that an Angel announced the birth of Jesus Christ to the local shepherds that were keeping nightly watch over their flock. There are two sanctuaries that commemorate this event. One chapel is managed and under the protection of the Franciscan Order of the Roman Catholic Church and the second chapel is managed by the Greek Orthodox Church.
The Milk Grotto is a Roman Catholic chapel located near the Church of the Nativity. It commemorates the time when the Holy Family took refuge before fleeing to Egypt during the Massacre of the Innocents, an order made by King Herod to slaughter all male children under two years old. According to tradition, as the Virgin Mary was nursing, a drop of milk fell to the floor of the cave, turning the stone completely white.
Jericho-East
The Mount of Temptation is located in the Judean Desert in the city of Jericho. It is the place where the devil tried to tempt Jesus into forsaking God (Matthew 4:8) during his 40 day fast. The Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Temptation, positioned halfway up the mountain, was built to commemorate this event.
The Galilee – North
Also known as the Basilica of the Annunciation is one of the largest churches in the entire Middle East. It is located in the heart of Nazareth just above Spring Square (Market Plaza). Built over what is considered to be the home of the Virgin Mary, the basilica commemorates the “Annunciation” made by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, announcing to her that she would conceive a son, Jesus. It is currently under the control of the Franciscan order of the Catholic Church.
Cana is located northeast of Nazareth and is the place where it is said that Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into fine wine during a wedding feast (John 2:1-11). In the lower Galilee there are 2 churches that commemorate this event, the Franciscan Wedding Church and Greek Orthodox Church of the Marriage Feast.
Mount Tabour: Located in the Valley of Armageddon in the Lower Galilee, Mount Tabour is a place of Pilgrimage traditionally known as the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. According to Gospel (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36) it is the event that took place on a “high mountain” with Jesus and 3 of his disciples, in which Jesus becomes radiant with light in his spiritual state and speaks with Moses and Elijah. There are two churches on Mount Tabour that commemorate this event, the Roman Catholic Church of the Transfiguration and the Eastern Sanctuary of the Orthodox Church.
Located just north of the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum was a fishing market inhabited between the 2nd century BCE and 11th century CE. The Town of Capernaum is mentioned several times in the New Testament as the place where Jesus lived during most of his Galilean ministry, performed many of his miracles and the hometown of his apostles John, Peter, James, Andrew and Matthew. Today, it’s an archeological site owned and commemorated by two churches that Pilgrims can visit: the Franciscan Monastery and the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles.
Tabgha is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee; it’s a site of religious significance that should not be overlooked. According to tradition, Tabgha is the site where Jesus performed two miracles. The first is the event of the multiplication of loaves and fish, where Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and 2 fish (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; John 6: 1-15). A testament to this miracle is the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, a Byzantine style Church, built on the ruins of a 4th century church, that preserves beautiful 5th century mosaics that are considered the oldest figurative Christian art in the Holy Land. Currently the church and the surrounding area is the property of the German Association of the Holy Land. The second miracle was the apparition of Jesus to his Apostles after his crucifixion and resurrection, during which Jesus reinstated Peter as head of the Apostles (John 21, 1-17). Commemorating this event is The Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter; a Franciscan Chapel located just a few dozen meters away from the Church of the Multiplication.
The Jordan River – East
Located on the banks of the Jordan River east of Jericho is Qasr El Yahud, believed to be the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ. It is also the site and where the gates of heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended onto Jesus- visited by Catholics and Greek Orthodox. The site is administered by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism as an Israeli National Park.
Located southwards of the Sea of Galilee, it’s the baptismal site where Jesus Christ baptized John the Baptist in the Jordan River. It’s considered to be a post reformation perspective to the event of the Baptism of Jesus Christ.
Golan Heights – Upper North
Also known as the Basilica of the Annunciation is one of the largest churches in the entire Middle East. It is located in the heart of Nazareth just above Spring Square (Market Plaza). Built over what is considered to be the home of the Virgin Mary, the basilica commemorates the “Annunciation” made by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, announcing to her that she would conceive a son, Jesus. It is currently under the control of the Franciscan order of the Catholic Church.
Cana is located northeast of Nazareth and is the place where it is said that Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into fine wine during a wedding feast (John 2:1-11). In the lower Galilee there are 2 churches that commemorate this event, the Franciscan Wedding Church and Greek Orthodox Church of the Marriage Feast.
Mount Tabour: Located in the Valley of Armageddon in the Lower Galilee, Mount Tabour is a place of Pilgrimage traditionally known as the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. According to Gospel (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36) it is the event that took place on a “high mountain” with Jesus and 3 of his disciples, in which Jesus becomes radiant with light in his spiritual state and speaks with Moses and Elijah. There are two churches on Mount Tabour that commemorate this event, the Roman Catholic Church of the Transfiguration and the Eastern Sanctuary of the Orthodox Church.
Located just north of the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum was a fishing market inhabited between the 2nd century BCE and 11th century CE. The Town of Capernaum is mentioned several times in the New Testament as the place where Jesus lived during most of his Galilean ministry, performed many of his miracles and the hometown of his apostles John, Peter, James, Andrew and Matthew. Today, it’s an archeological site owned and commemorated by two churches that Pilgrims can visit: the Franciscan Monastery and the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles.
Tabgha is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee; it’s a site of religious significance that should not be overlooked. According to tradition, Tabgha is the site where Jesus performed two miracles. The first is the event of the multiplication of loaves and fish, where Jesus fed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and 2 fish (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; John 6: 1-15). A testament to this miracle is the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, a Byzantine style Church, built on the ruins of a 4th century church, that preserves beautiful 5th century mosaics that are considered the oldest figurative Christian art in the Holy Land. Currently the church and the surrounding area is the property of the German Association of the Holy Land. The second miracle was the apparition of Jesus to his Apostles after his crucifixion and resurrection, during which Jesus reinstated Peter as head of the Apostles (John 21, 1-17). Commemorating this event is The Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter; a Franciscan Chapel located just a few dozen meters away from the Church of the Multiplication.
Jerusalem- Center
The Dominus Flevit Church is located on the ascent of the Mount of Olives. It’s name means “The Lord Wept” in Latin, referring to the tears of Jesus when he foresaw the destrcution of Jerusalem. The Chruch’s roof is shaped like a teardrop to commemorate this event. Today, it is held in trust by the Franciscan order and Custody of the Holy Land.
Visit the Church where Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, and then proceed down the Palm Sunday route that follows the steps of Jesus to the Church of Dominus Flevit, where our Lord wept over the city.
Located just a few meters away from the Church of Pater Noster, The Romanesque style chapel dates back to the 4th century AD and commemorates the ascension of Jesus to Heaven – for both Catholics and Greek Orthodox. Nearby, is the Russian Chapel of Ascension for Russian Orthodox Pilgrims.
The Church of Gethsemane is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives and is also known as the Church of all Nations. Many countries contributed to the building of this Church, hence the name. The basilica dates back to the 4th century AD, it’s a beautiful and uniquely designed structure featuring Neo-Byzantine architecture. The Church commemorates and enshrines the scared place that the where Jesus prayed before his betrayal. Just outside the walls of the Church is the Garden of Gethsemane, a large graceful olive grove with ancient trees that overlook the eastern wall of the Old City.
The Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu is located on the Eastern slope of Mount Zion just outside of the Old City’s southern wall. It commemorates the triple denial of Jesus by the Apostle Peter, his regret in committing such action, and his reconciliation with Jesus after his resurrection. Under the church is a dungeon, believed to be the cell where Jesus was detained the night before his arrest.
A Monastery of the Benedictine order. According to tradition, the lower floor of the monastery was the spot where the Virgin Mary slept and was taken, body and soul, to heaven.
The Cenacle is the place of the Last Supper and Pentecost. Located on Mount Zion, close to the Abbey of Dormition, the Cenacle commemorates Jesus’ final meal with his Apostles before his crucifixion. Other events, such as the washing of his disciple’s feet and the descent of the Holy Ghost Upon the disciples on the day of the Pentecost, are attributed to the Cenacle.
The Cenacle is the place of the Last Supper and Pentecost. Located on Mount Zion, close to the Abbey of Dormition, the Cenacle commemorates Jesus’ final meal with his Apostles before his crucifixion. Other events, such as the washing of his disciple’s feet and the descent of the Holy Ghost Upon the disciples on the day of the Pentecost, are attributed to the Cenacle.
Situated at the start of the Via Dolorosa near Lion’s Gate. Saint Anne’s Church is built on what is believed to be the childhood home of the Virgin Mary, along with her parents, Joachim and Anna. The small grotto is in the lower part of the church. Next to it, according to the Gospel of John, is the pool of Bethesda, the site of one of the miracles of Jesus in which Jesus healed a paralyzed man.
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the holiest site for Christians in the Old City. Built in the 4th century and recognized as the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Walk along Via Dolorosa (Jerusalem’s famous Christian pilgrimage route); the path believed Jesus walked to his crucifixion, to the final stations located within the basilica. The church is richly decorated with a magnificent interior filled with its defining aroma of incense and sounds of distant chanting and singing. There are several chapels within the basilica, within which houses several key religious structures; such as the Stone of Unction, on which Jesus Christ’s body was prepared for burial after his crucifixion, and the Aedicule (the Holy Sepulcher), within which is the empty tomb of Jesus Christ.