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Following the Footsteps of Moses & Jesus: A Pilgrimage to Holy Sites in Egypt & the Holy Land
Led by The Rev. Alan Warren
Church of the Advent, Boston, MA
April 21 – May 5, 2020
Enjoy a wonderful journey from Cairo to Tiberias to Jerusalem.
Marvel at the ancient Pyramids of Giza.
Float in the Dead Sea.
Pray at the Stations of the Cross.
Itinerary
Download BrochureDAY 1, Tuesday, April 21, 2020 – Depart the Boston, MA Airport on Turkish Airlines for our trans-Atlantic flight to Istanbul Turkey. M
DAY 2, Wed. – Arrive Istanbul, Turkey where we connect to our Turkish Airlines flight to Cairo. After meeting our guide for Egypt, we transfer by motor coach to our hotel in Cairo for dinner and overnight. MD
DAY 3, Thurs. – This morning we will see the famous Pyramids of Giza and enter the Cheops Pyramid. We continue to the famous Sphinx, carved out of a single block of rock. We visit the amazing Egyptian Museum with its Tutankhamen Collection. We continue on to Old Cairo to see the Church of Abu Serga, built to commemorate the flight of the Christ Child to Egypt. We will see the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Mar Mosque. We visit the Church of St. George, a modern building sitting over a Roman tower where priests wrap heavy chains around the heads and waists of believers while they chant prayers in the memory of St. George. Dinner and overnight Cairo. BD
DAY 4, Fri. – After breakfast we will travel on the Moses Exodus Route stopping in Marah, Elim and Rafdeim before arriving at St. Catherine’s. We explore the 5th century St. Catherine’s Monastery, commissioned by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in AD 530 to protect those of Greek Orthodox faith. It is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited monastery in the world. Inside the monastery, we see the Church of the Transfiguration (now called the Church of St. Catherine) where some of the rarest icons in the world are displayed along with the relics of St. Catherine. Just outside the church is Moses’ Well where Moses is said to have met his wife Zipporah. Dinner and overnight St. Catherine. BD
DAY 5, Sat. – Early morning climb to the top of Mt. Sinai (for those who wish, there will be camels available to ride) which commemorates the spot where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Once we reach the summit, we will celebrate Holy Eucharist. We will descend the mountain after sunrise returning to the hotel for breakfast. Our journey continues to Taba where we will have some time to explore on our own. Dinner and overnight Taba. BD
DAY 6, Sun. – The Judean Wilderness: We cross over the border into Israel. We drive along the Dead Sea to Masada and ride the cable car to the top. We continue on to Ein Gedi for a walk to a spectacular oasis/waterfall where David hid from Saul; then on to the Essene Center at Qumran overlooking the Dead Sea. We will enjoy an early evening float in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight Dead Sea. BD
DAY 7, Mon. – “He is going ahead of us to Galilee” (Mt. 28): The Sea; On the Boat; Capernaum; Tabgha; Mount of Beatitudes; Golan Heights; Caesarea Philippi; Mt. Hermon; Korazin.We take a boat on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. There we walk in the ancient synagogue and see St. Peter’s house. We visit Tabgha to view the mosaic of the Loaves and Fishes. From there we move to the Mt. of Beatitudes where we rehear the Sermon on the Mount. We will have a St. Peter’s Fish lunch at a local restaurant and then continue to Korazin (Mt. 11:21), then to the springs of Banias (Mt. 16:13) where Peter said: “Thou art Christ”. There will be a walk along the mouth of the Jordan River where we may renew our Baptismal vows. We reach the foot of Mt. Hermon before continuing on to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. BLD
DAY 8, Tues. – We visit Cana, site of the first miracle where Jesus turned the water into wine. We continue to Nazareth, home of the Basilica of the Annunciation before returning to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. BD
DAY 9, Wed. – We have come to see for ourselves (John 1:45-46): Armageddon; The Majesty of Carmel; Herod’s City-Caesarea. After breakfast, we head north toward Caesarea, once capital of the Roman province, where we visit the Roman and Crusader remains and the harbor from which St. Paul was taken prisoner to Rome. We continue to Megiddo, this fertile valley, also known as the plain of Megiddo, has been the scene of horrible carnage and almost constant strife. Legend portrays this area as the stage for the final battle of history: Armageddon (Rev. 16:16). The excavations at Megiddo have uncovered a fortified city built by Solomon (1 Kgs. 9:15). Dinner and overnight Tiberias. BD
DAY 10, Thurs. – New Jerusalem: Our journey continues to Jerusalem. We visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and see the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. We will visit the Israel Museum which houses the Shrine of the Book. Time permitting there will be some free time to explore on our own. BD
DAY 11, Fri. – Emmaus & Bethlehem: This morning we visit Emmaus, where Jesus is said to have appeared after his death and resurrection. After lunch at Two Mustaches, a wonderful Arab restaurant in Bethlehem, we visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field. Following dinner at our hotel, we will visit St. Andrew’s and Craftaid. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. BLD
DAY 12, Sat. – The Passion: Palm Sunday Walk; Dominus Flevit; Church of the Agony; Garden of Gethsemane; Cave of the Olive Press; Kidron Valley to the House of Caiaphas. From here we shall move on to walk the Via Dolorosa, winding through the busy markets of the Old City and praying at the Stations of the Cross. We end our walk at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, scene of the Crucifixion and site of the Tomb. The rest of the day is free for further exploration in the Old City. This evening we will go to St. George’s Episcopal Cathedral for Evening Prayer. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. BD
DAY 13, Sun. – Jerusalem: Through St. Stephen’s Gate to the Holy City, we walk to St. Anne’s Church, standing on a property facing the Temple Mount just as it was built by the crusaders. Once inside we find ourselves singing (the acoustics are glorious). Nearby, we visit excavations which speak to us of Jesus’ healing at the “pool with the five porticos”. We walk together to the Temple Mount Dig, to the Dome of the Rock, to the Western Wailing Wall and the Jewish Quarter. From there we go to St. Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Church, possible site of the Upper Room. BD
DAY 14, Mon. – The day is free for exploring your favorite sites on your own. We will enjoy a gala farewell dinner together before returning to our hotel for overnight. BD
DAY 15, Tuesday, May 5, 2020 – An early morning departure for the Ben Gurion Airport where we bid goodbye to our driver and guide, board our flight and journey home with our souls nourished from walking in the footsteps of Moses and Jesus. BM
B – Breakfast L – Lunch D – Dinner M – Meal on Aircraft
*Itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion of the leaders.
Price based on double occupancy
17 – 20 pilgrims $4,209.00*
21 – 25 pilgrims $3,999.00*
26 – 30 pilgrims $3,849.00*
Single Supplement $1,309.00*
*Pricing includes airline taxes & fuel surcharges of $484.04 per pilgrim, which are not guaranteed by the airline. Any changes will be reflected on your final invoice. Optional activities and sites visited during your free time are not included in the cost of the pilgrimage and are to be paid for at the time of your visit. Tips for driver, guide, porters, hotel staff and restaurant staff are payable upon completion of services. Price excludes $25.00 (subject to change) Visa fee for Egypt.