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Category Archives: Israel
On the Via Dolorosa
On the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem (Lori Erickson photo) Today I’m posting a sermon I gave on Sunday in my home church–a bit longer than the usual Holy Rover fare, but I hope it might strike some chords for those … Continue reading
A Light in the Darkness of Lent
Today’s post is my monthly column for the Episcopal News Service. You might recognize this as a distillation of some of my earlier reflections on Jerusalem: As I make my way through the season of Lent again this year, my … Continue reading
Be Careful When You Visit Jerusalem
For today’s post, let me recommend to you a fascinating piece in Wired Magazine: The Jerusalem Syndrome: Why Some Religious Tourists Believe They Are the Messiah. The article tells about a psychiatric condition that is unique to Jerusalem: There’s a … Continue reading
Masada
For my last post on Israel, let me take you to one of the most spectacular archeological sites in the world: Masada, a remote mountain-top fortress in the Judean desert where nearly 1000 Jewish Zealots made their last stand against … Continue reading
In Bethlehem
Today we visit Bethlehem, as in O Little Town Of. Surrounded by rocky hills, Bethlehem is one of the most sacred places in Christianity, honored as the birthplace of both King David and Jesus. The city is just five miles … Continue reading
Posted in Israel
Tagged Bethlehem, Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans, Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto, Shepherds Fields
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The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
With its twisting labyrinth of streets, alleyways, and cave-like merchants stalls, the Old City is the most fascinating part of Jerusalem. It is divided into four quarters: Christian, Jewish, Armenian and Muslim. Its crowded streets bustle with orthodox Jews, robed … Continue reading
Jerusalem of Gold
Tell me, is there a place that has been more fought over than Jerusalem? If one were so inclined, in fact, one could put forth Jerusalem as Exhibit A for how religion divides, rather than unites. With 5,000 years of … Continue reading
Posted in Israel
Tagged Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Jerusalem of Gold song, Temple Mount
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In Capernaum
The place in Israel where the story of Jesus came most vividly to life for me was Capernaum. Much of Jesus’ public ministry took place in this town, which lies on the northern shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. During … Continue reading
Wandering in Galilee
My favorite part of Israel was Galilee, a region in the northern part of the country. What surprised me most was how beautiful and green it was. I had expected Israel to be mostly dry and rocky desert, but Galilee … Continue reading
Posted in Israel
Tagged baptism, Galilee, Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Jordan River, Yardenet Baptism Site, Yardenit Baptism Site
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The Holy Land
Here I’ve written only three words (see the title above) and already I feel like I have to be extra careful with my words. For of course the words “Holy Land” have layers of history, conflict and ambiguity built into … Continue reading
