In the Footsteps of Jesus: The Jesus Trail in Israel
Over the millennia, Christians have come to the Holy Land to bring to life the people, places and events of the scriptures. Pilgrims bring back tangible connections with the Gospels and renewed faith and enthusiasm.
Constantine’s mother, Helena, went to the Holy Land in 326 to find the places associated with Jesus’ life and ministry and preserve them for future generations. She began the venerable tradition of walking in the footsteps of Jesus by visiting the places mentioned in the Gospels. Many of the sites in Israel that are now traditional pilgrimage destinations were first identified by Helena.
Over the millennia, Christians have come to the Holy Land to bring to life the people, places and events of the scriptures. Pilgrims bring back tangible connections with the Gospels and renewed faith and enthusiasm. In 2007, the Jesus Trail was founded to enhance the experience of walking in the footsteps of Jesus. The trail connects many of the towns associated with Jesus’ childhood and later adult ministry. For those who are able, walking all or part of the trail is a way of connecting with the land that is still so evocative of Jesus’ time. As one walks, one can easily imagine Jesus and his disciples walking together, sharing stories, and exploring new insights into God.
The Jesus Trail is part of a network of trails celebrating the natural landscape and heritage of the Galilee Region including a Jewish heritage trail. There are over 40 miles of pathways stretching from Nazareth to Capernaum. The trails are clearly marked and maps help guide pilgrims along their way.
For most pilgrims, walking the entire network of the Jesus Trail is impractical. There are some sections that are nicer than others. Illume would like to suggest ways to incorporate the Jesus Trail into a more traditional pilgrimage.
One idea is to walk sections of the Jesus Trail along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. There’s a nice section of the Trail from Capernaum to Tabgha. Capernaum is located on the serene northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, offering sweeping views of Israel’s largest freshwater lake. Located within the village are not only remnants of Peter’s house, but the octagon church that was built over it in 5th-century AD. Since then, a modern church has been built over the octagon church, allowing visitors to view the house and old church through a glass floor, seeing firsthand where Peter- and eventually Jesus- called home in the small village. The village is also home to a white limestone synagogue, built in 4thcentury AD, surrounded by black basalt Byzantine ruins. Beneath the Late Roman synagogue lie remains of an earlier synagogue where Jesus read from the Torah. Towards the eastern side of Capernaum is the stunning, pink-domed Greek Orthodox Church of the Twelve Apostles. Colorful frescoes and icons adorn the interior, while the exterior boasts beautiful gardens and landscaping ideal for meditation and prayer. You may even catch some peacocks roaming the grounds!
About a mile and a half walk southwest of Capernaum- along the Sea of Galilee’s northwestern shore- lies Tabgha, known as the place of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, as well as where Jesus appeared to his disciples during his resurrection. The Church of the Multiplication has preserved 5thcentury mosaics from the previous church, as well as other remains from both the 5th and 4thcentury churches. The mosaic of the fish and loaves is next to a rock, which many scholars have speculated is where Jesus’ miracle of multiplication occurred as he fed the crowd before him.
It is then easy to continue your hike for less than a mile to reach Mount of Beatitudes, known as the site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Atop the hill sits the Church of the Beatitudes, a beautiful, octagonal-shaped Franciscan church, with each side representing one of the eight beatitudes. It overlooks the Sea of Galilee, providing pilgrims with a captivating yet peaceful view as they reflect on the spiritual journey they are on.
For those with more stamina and interest in a walking pilgrimage, one can walk from the Mount of Beatitudes to Migdal, the hometown of Mary of Magdala. The distance from the Mount of Beatitudes to Migdal is approximately 6 miles. This is a newly excavated site associated with a new spiritual center being built there. A synagogue from the 1st century was uncovered here – a dramatic and concrete connection to the people and events of Jesus’ ministry here. From Migdal to Tiberias is another 5 miles.
For more information about the Jesus Trail, visit: http://jesustrail.com/
Illume works with pastoral leaders to create unique one-of-a-kind pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Let our team help you create a program that includes an option for some of your pilgrims to walk in the very footsteps of Jesus along this trail.
