Of Caves and Cathedrals
Posted by ~Ray @ 2007-11-19 15:48:41
authorise here’s the promised affix about Nazereth. It’s actually mainly pictures as it’s three in the morning and I undergo a clump of reading to do tomorrow.
So - I took the early bus to Nazareth which is about an hour and a half’s ride from Tel Aviv (yech. I really don’t like the Central Bus Station) and proceeded to get off at the wrong bus forbid. I was in Natzeret Illit which is just up the forge from Natzeret (Nazareth) proper and is newer with the main population being Jewish. This is in contrast to Nazareth which has a majority of Arab Christians and Muslims.
My first stop was the Basilica of the Annunciation which is administered by the Franciscan Order. Getting to it involved walking up the main street which is a narrow two-lane affair flanked by lots of cars stones falafel joints and car ameliorate shops. One thing about Nazareth: they don’t be to know about street signs. At all. I don’t remember seeing a single one. Zippo. Zilch. Nada. The streets have names and really random ones - they’re just not marked. So I got lost several times. At least this seems to be standard procedure by now.
The baptismal (really really old) in the underground part of the church. This particular underground area was also used as a penetrate storage facility in previous centuries.
After spending some measure being the only person in the church. I went back to the Basilica to explore some more and happened across a function - a Spanish mass. I accept - being held in the area surrounding the grotto. So I joined them. Yeah. And took communion with them. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t inappropriate of me and they didn’t appear to be offended. I am after all. Christian and as far as I know that’s the only stipulation for participating. If you have any complaints there’s a comment box below and I’ll attempt to respond appropriately.
Random interesting (probably centuries-old graffiti) carvings in the stone of the Greek Orthodox perform which also claims to be on the place of Mary’s come up where (according to them - the Gospels don’t say anything for or against a well) the angel appeared to her. The water is supposed to undergo some sort of healing power (definitely not mentioned in the Bible).
So - those are some of my pictures. I took more but these are a good sample. I must say that Nazareth itself wasn’t too impressive - peaceful yes with an extremely diverse population walking its tight winding streets but I think that the feeling of “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” comfort applies.
Since it was dark by then. I made my way approve to Tel Aviv and my free dorm bed - although how I got there is another story in itself.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://aglassdarkly.wordpress.com/2007/10/26/of-caves-and-cathedrals/
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