In the Footsteps of Christ PI LGRI M AG E TO T H E H O LY L AN D OCTOBE R 25 N OV EMBER 4 with the Rev. Charlie Holt & Dr. Saleem Ateek
Pilgrimage [pil-gruh-mij] noun 1. a journey, especially a long one, made to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion. Many describe the Holy Land as the fifth gospel, simply because spending time there has such a profound spiritual affect upon pilgrims. Following in the footsteps of Jesus is an experience of rediscovering the roots of Christian faith. The Bible gains even more meaning as one feels as if they have stepped into the story. Other benefits are connecting with modern day Christians who live their lives in this land, meeting believers from around the world, as well as deepening relationships with our own fellow parishioners. The Rev. Charlie Holt and Dr. Saleem Ateek look forward to serving to make this pilgrimage to the Holy Land an important time for prayer, meditation, learning, and enrichment for you. Come join us. ITINERARY Day 1: Thursday, Oct. 25 HOUSTON/TEL AVIV Depart Houston and arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel, the following day in the afternoon. Day 2: Friday, Oct. 26 TEL AVIV/JERUSALEM Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel in the afternoon. Transfer from the airport to the city of Jerusalem for dinner and overnight at David Citadel Hotel. Day 3: Saturday, Oct. 27 JERUSALEM/BETHLEHEM This morning after breakfast we begin on the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem. We visit the Place of Ascension and the Pater Noster Church. We then drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity built over the cave where Christ was born. Proceed on to Shepherd s Field before returning to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight at David Citadel Hotel.
Day 4: Sunday, Oct. 28 MOUNT OF OLIVES/GETHSEMANE/ KIDRON VALLEY/MT. ZION/WEST JERUSALEM/SCALE MODEL/MUSEUM/ DEAD SEA SCROLLS This morning we begin with Holy Communion at the Garden of Gethsemane, visit the Church of All Nations, then drive through the Kidron Valley, and on to visit the house of Caiphas where Peter denied the Lord three times. In the afternoon we drive to West Jerusalem for a visit to the Holy Land Scale Model of Jerusalem at the time of Christ. We will then visit the Israel Museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls collection is exhibited. Dinner and overnight at David Citadel Hotel. Bethesda, Pilate s Judgment Hall, Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos. We then follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We then proceed to the temple area, Mount Moriah, where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, the Dome of the Rock, Mosque of El Aksa, and the Western Wall or Wailing Wall. In the afternoon we will use the time at leisure for rest. Dinner and overnight at David Citadel Hotel. Day 5: Monday, Oct. 29 WALKING TOUR JERUSALEM OLD CITY/ VIA DOLOROSA This morning we begin with Holy Communion in the Garden Tomb and then walk through the Walled City of Jerusalem. We enter through St. Stephen s Gate to visit the Crusaders Church of St. Anne, the Pool of Day 6: Tuesday, Oct. 30 JERICHO/QUMRAN/MASADA/DEAD SEA We begin the day by visiting the old city of Jericho, the cradle of civilization. We visit the excavation of the Tell of Jericho, Elisha s Spring, view the Mount of Temptation. Continue on to the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and on to ancient Masada, Herod s luxurious winter palace and the place where the Zealots withstood the Roman armies for three years. We will take the cable car to the summit and visit this fortress. We then proceed on to the Oasis of Ein Gedi for a swim in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight at David Citadel Hotel.
S T. JOH N THE D IV IN E P I LGR I M AGE TO T H E H O LY L A ND Day 7: Wednesday, Oct. 31 C AESA R E A / M T. C ARMEL /HAIFA This morning we leave Jerusalem via the coastal highway to Caesarea to visit the Roman theater, the water aqueduct and the ruins of the Crusaders city. Continue to the city of Haifa where we will ascend Mt. Carmel for a view of the Mediterranean Sea and harbor, see the carmelite monastery and Elijah s Cave, view the Bahai temple and the hanging gardens. Continue to the city of Nazareth. Dinner and overnight at Legacy Hotel. after they had been killed in the Battle of Mount Gilboa. Visit the theater, the Byzantine bathhouse and the Roman temple. Dinner and overnight at Legacy Hotel in Nazareth. Day 9: Friday, Nov. 2 C ANA/ SEA OF G ALILEE/MT. OF B EATITU DES/C APER NAU M/C AESA RE A PHILLIPI Day 8: Thursday, Nov. 1 NA ZA R E T H / BE IT SH E AN This morning we begin the day with Holy Communion at Christ Church (our Episcopal Church in Nazareth). We will then visit the Church of Annunciation. There the angel appeared to Mary and announced to her about the birth of Christ. We will visit the synagogue where Jesus taught, Mary s Well and the Old Market. In the afternoon we continue to Beit She an, one of the oldest cities of the ancient Near East. It is one of the largest archaeological excavation sites in Israel. The Philistine rulers displayed the bodies of King Saul and his sons upon its walls This morning we begin by driving to Cana where Jesus performed the first miracle of changing the water into wine. We then proceed to the city of Tiberias where we begin with a 50-minute boat ride on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Capernaum. We will visit the ruins of the second century synagogue, the ruins of the house of Simon Peter where our Lord lived after he was rejected in his home town of Nazareth. We continue to Tabgha where Christ performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes and on to the Church of Primacy of St. Peter. We then proceed to the Mount of Beatitudes where Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount and taught his disciples the Lord s Prayer. Return O C TOBER 25 N OVEMBER 4 BIT. DO/ H OLYL A N D1 8
to Nazareth for dinner and overnight at Legacy Hotel. Day 10: Saturday, Nov. 3 ZIPPORI/ACRE/JAFFA/TEL AVIV This morning we begin in Zippori or Sepphoris which holds a rich and diverse historical and architectural legacy. It is believed to be the birthplace of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The site includes a Roman theatre, two early Christian churches, and over 60 different mosaics dating from the third to the sixth century CE. We continue to Acre, one of the oldest cities in the world which was known as Ptolemais and visited by St. Paul on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 21:7). The most important remains of the Crusader period is the Crypt of St. John and the Citadel from the time of Turks. Continue on to Jaffa which is claimed to be the oldest seaport in the world where St. Peter raised Tabitha from the dead, and where Peter first realized the gospel message had to be extended beyond the confines of Judaism. Dinner and overnight at Sheraton Hotel in Tel Aviv. Day 11: Sunday, Nov. 4 This morning we make our way to Ben Gurion Airport for our departure to the U.S. We will arrive back in Houston late that evening. TERMS & CONDITIONS Tour Price $5,200.00 PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY Tour Price Includes: Airfare Economy Class First Class Hotel Accommodations First Class Motorcoach Transportation Professional Tour Guide Three Meals a Day Sightseeing Tours Including Entrance Fees All Tipping Luggage Handling at Hotels *Departure Taxes All Foreign Taxes Tour Does Not Include: Items of Personal Nature Insurance Any Beverages Tour Conditions and Information RESERVATIONS A deposit of $750.00 per person is required to make a reservation for this tour. $400.00 of the deposit is refundable up to 90 days prior to departure. A confirmation of your reservation will be forwarded to you after the deposit is received. Deposit deadline is May 31. Please make your deposit check to: Dr. Saleem Ateek 5949 Sherry Lane, Suite 125 Dallas, TX 75225
FINAL PAYMENT The final payment of $4,450 is due no later than 90 days before departure (July 25, 2018). If you are joining the tour within 90 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of your reservation. SHARED AND SINGLE ACCOMMODATIONS: Passengers should indicate at the time of booking whether they want to share a room or if they prefer a single supplement for an additional $1,500 per room. Your roommate, if known, should also be indicated. If you do not have a roommate, we will attempt to find a suitable traveling companion to share a room with you. If you join the tour less than 90 days prior to departure and we are not able to find you a roommate, you will be charged the full single supplement. Triple rooms, while not recommended, can usually be arranged. CANCELLATION: $400.00 of your deposit is refundable for any reason up to 90 days prior to departure. $100 which is required by the airlines to confirm a seat on the plane is nonrefundable as well as a $250 processing fee. Otherwise, cancellation is subject to the following maximum cancellation charges: 45-90 days prior to departure... $750.00 30 45 days prior...$2,500.00 INSURANCE: It is recommended that tour participants buy travel insurance to protect themselves against any possible cancellation charges or out of country medical expenses. PASSPORTS AND VISAS: A passport is required and should be valid for at least six months past your scheduled return date. If you do not already have a passport, please apply for one without delay. If your present passport expires prior to June 2019, you must renew it before the tour. TOUR DOCUMENTS: Tour documents (hotel list, flight itinerary, name tag, etc.) will be sent approximately thirty (30) days prior to departure. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: At the time of printing, there are no health certificates or inoculations required to enter the country listed on the tour. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: Tour members are allowed one (1) suitcase per person not to exceed 50 pounds. Your suitcase will be portered at all hotels, but tour members are responsible for their flight bags/carry-on luggage at all times. Raji Tours accepts no responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, any baggage or any tour member s personal belongings. 0 30 days prior... $0 refund
ITINERARY VARIATIONS: Raji Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour due to airline schedule changes or any other circumstances beyond our control. Every effort will be made to keep the tour as close as possible to the original itinerary. SMOKING: Tour members are not permitted to smoke on motor-coaches. There will be enough stops made so passengers who wish to smoke will not be inconvenienced. RESPONSIBILITY: Raji Tours and Travel act as agents for the various owners/contractors providing hotels, means of transportation or other services, and the issuance and acceptance of such tickets shall be deemed to be consent to the further conditions that Raji Tours shall not become liable or responsible in any way for any personal or property loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or arising. QUESTIONS? Contact the Rev. Charlie Holt cholt@sjd.org SIGN UP visit bit.do/holyland18
QUES T ION S? Contact the Rev. Charlie Holt cholt@sjd.org S IGN UP visit bit.do/holyland18