To be a Pilgrim A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Led by The Right Revd John Pritchard - Bishop of Oxford -

25th February - 6th March 2013

I’m delighted to be inviting another group to join me on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Lent 2013. We will spend nine days travelling in the homeland of Jesus Christ where we will visit many of the sites associated with his birth, ministry, death and resurrection. It’s an experience that many Christians over the centuries have found nourishes and stimulates their faith in a unique way. But as well as visiting places that remind us of the historical story of Jesus, we will also visit his heirs - the small but remarkable Christian communities who live in extremely difficult circumstances in this troubled land. Our aim is to offer the Christians of today’s Holy Land our support and prayers, and to hear their stories – stories that are almost as profoundly moving and inspiring as the stories of the Gospels. To this end, we will be travelling once more with Lightline Pilgrimages, a Christian travel company who work exclusively with Christian pilgrim houses, restaurants, and tour guides. This isn’t the cheapest option, but it’s certainly the most ethical way to travel, and supports our Christian brothers and sisters in a very practical way. We’ll take a maximum of two coaches and one or two clergy colleagues will be on hand to encourage the group and help me lead our reflections and worship. This time there will be an optional extra four days in Jordan, to visit the unforgettable Petra, Mount Nebo, and other significant sites. ‘Sustaining the Sacred Centre’ runs right through the heart of the ‘Living Faith’ vision, and it’s my belief that pilgrimage is one of the best ways we can nurture and sustain our inner life, our ‘sacred centre’. It’s always a rich experience when Christians journey together. Our last diocesan pilgrimage in 2010 was truly memorable. Do join me in 2013!

Day 1, Monday 25th February

Journeying to the Holy Land We gather at Heathrow for our afternoon flight to Tel Aviv. We will have dinner on board the flight and, on arrival be transferred to the simple but beautiful Benedictine Pilgerhaus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Day 2, Tuesday 26th February

Revelation and Annunciation Our pilgrimage begins at Mount Tabor, traditionally associated with the Transfiguration. After visiting the glorious Basilica on the summit of the mount, and enjoying wonderful views of the Jezreel Valley, we will drive to Cana, the site of Jesus’ first sign, according to the Fourth Gospel. Finally, we will come to Nazareth,

the town in which the gospel story begins. Here we will visit a number of sites associated both with the Annunciation, and with the start of Jesus’ ministry in his home town. We will return to the Pilgerhaus in time to freshen up for our evening meal.

Day 3, Wednesday 27th February

Teaching and Feeding Today we will focus on the principal sites of Jesus’ ministry around the home he made for himself by the Sea of Galilee. After commemorating the call of the first disciples

in a Eucharist by the Sea itself, we will visit the excavated ruins of Capernaum, as well as sites associated with the Feeding of the 5000, the recommissioning of Peter, and the giving of the Sermon on the Mount. In addition we will have a chance to sail on the Sea itself in a modern replica of a First Century fishing boat, as well as seeing the well preserved remains of a similar boat dating from the time of Jesus. Return to our lakeside hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4, Thursday 28th February

An ancient pilgrimage route This morning we bid farewell to the Galilee, and begin our journey south through the heart of the West Bank. Entering the Palestinian Territories near Jenin, our first stop is at the city of Nablus in which is found Jacob’s Well - a site which Jesus himself visited on a journey to Jerusalem. In addition to visiting the Well, we hope to visit the Anglican parish of St Philip, and see

at first hand its remarkable which seeks to serve the entire local community in a Christ-like spirit, regardless of creed or race. After lunch we will drive down to the Jordan Valley, to renew our baptism vows at the recently re-opened site on the River Jordan, believed to mark the place of Jesus’ own baptism. At the end of the day we will journey around Jerusalem and make our way towards Bethlehem. Passing through the checkpoint, we make our way to our hotel situated on Manger Square.

Day 5, Friday 1st March

Incarnation and abundant life Today will give us the chance not only to see the places associated with the birth of Jesus, but to see the implications of the

Incarnation as lived out by the Christians of Bethlehem. During the course of the day we will visit the Shepherd’s Fields and the Church of the Nativity, as well as seeing the work of two remarkable Christian institutions endeavouring to bring something of the abundant life promised in the gospel to those living under the restrictions of the Occupation. We hope to visit the Holy Family Hospital, which offers the only neo-natal care in the southern West Bank, and the remarkable International Center of Bethlehem, founded by the Lutheran Pastor Mitri Raheb. Dinner and overnight stay in Bethlehem.

Day 6, Saturday 2nd March

Tears and Prayers Leaving Bethlehem, we follow the ancient route south to the historic city of Hebron, to visit the tombs of the Patriarchs, and see the effects of the Occupation in the very heart of this city so precious to all three faiths of this land. After a break for lunch, we return to the outskirts of Jerusalem, to the summit of the Mount of Olives, where we will spend the morning recalling the Palm Sunday route, and visiting places associated with particular events in the gospels as we slowly make our way downhill. We start at Bethphage, the traditional starting point of the procession of palms, and in the course of our journey will visit the church of the Pater Noster, where we recall Jesus’ teaching of the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples, and the church of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the fate of the city. Finally, we reach the Garden of Gethsemane, and the dark and brooding Church of All Nations, where we recall Jesus’ agonized prayers prior to his arrest, and reflect on the failure of his closest friends to keep awake and watch with him.

Day 7, Sunday 3rd March

The First Day of the Week This morning we will visit St George’s Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, and worship with some of the local Christian community. Later in the day, we will have the chance of making a brief visit to the Western Wall, before heading to Ein Karem, a beautiful suburb of Jerusalem, home to the world-famous Hadassah Hospital. Here we will have a chance to see Marc Chagall’s remarkable stained glass depictions of the

Our Itinerary

Day 7 continued

twelve sons of Jacob in the hospital synagogue. Ein Karem is also venerated as the birthplace of John the Baptist, and we will end the day by visiting a church associated with Mary’s meeting with her cousin Elizabeth, so that we, too, can sing Magnificat as the first day of the week draws to its close.

Day 8, Monday 4th March

I do not know the man After an early breakfast, there will be an optional trip to the Jordan Valley basin, both to visit the site of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the caves which once were home to the Essene community, and also to have the chance to float in the waters of the Dead Sea. After lunch we will explore the holy sites located

on Mount Zion, where the earliest Christian community lived in the days following the resurrection. Here we will find a site commemorating both the Upper Room used for the Last Supper as well as the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and a striking abbey in honour of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. The principal focus of the afternoon, however, will be a visit to the church of St Peter in Gallicantu, built at the top of an ancient set of steps which leads up from the City of David to what is believed to have been the residence of the Jewish High Priest. Many believe that Jesus himself was led up these steps to his trial by the Jewish authorities after his arrest. Here we will celebrate the Eucharist, as we recall not only Jesus’ incarceration over the last night of his life, but also Peter’s faithless threefold denial of Jesus.

Day 9, Tuesday 5th March

Taking up the cross Today will be spent in the Old City, as we journey towards the site that is the ultimate pilgrim goal for a Christian - the place of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. Entering the Old City through the Lions’ Gate, we come to the remarkable church of St Anne and the Pools of Bethesda, which we will visit, before coming to the start of

the Via Dolorosa. Here we will celebrate the Eucharist, and then wind our way through the narrow alleys of the Old City, following the traditional Way of the Cross, culminating in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After a simple lunch in the Old City, the afternoon will be free, to allow some time for rest, reflection, shopping or exploration.

Day 10, Wednesday 6th March

Telling what had happened on the road After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel, and start heading west, towards the airport. After seven miles, we will stop at the village of Abu Ghosh, one of the sites associated with the village of Emmaus in the gospels, to celebrate our final Eucharist together. After a stop for lunch, we will arrive at Ben Gurion airport, to board our flight back to London, and our journey to our own homes. And we hope that each one of us will continue to tell our friends all that has happened to us on the road… Or we have the option of extending our tour to Jordan - please see below

Day 10 Wednesday 6 March Crossing the Jordan to Petra

After the final Eucharist at Abu Ghosh, we will drive down to Jericho for lunch, before crossing the Allenby Bridge into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Once the border formalities have been completed, we will drive for about three hours to the south of the country, to our hotel, located very close to the remarkable archaeological site of Petra. Dinner and overnight in Petra.

Day 11 Thursday 7th March The Rose-red city of Petra

Today there will be a full day to enjoy and

explore the wonders of the extensive ruins of the Nabatean city of Petra. During the morning, our guide will help us walk gently down the winding Siq to the valley floor, to see the Treasury, and many other beautiful and fascinating caves. The afternoon will be free for us to explore other parts of the site (such as the High Place of Sacrifice, or the Monastery) as we wish, returning when we are ready to our hotel for dinner.

Day 12 Friday 8th March Kerak, Madaba & Mount Nebo

After an early breakfast, we drive north, stopping at Kerak, to visit the ruins of the great Crusader castle which dominates this town. After lunch, our journey continues to Madaba, where we can see the 6th Century mosaic map of the world with Jerusalem at

its centre, before making our way to Mount Nebo, where Moses gazed over the Promised Land which God had forbidden him to enter. Finally, we descend down to the Jordan Valley once again, to spend our last night on the shore of the Dead Sea in a luxurious spa hotel.

Day 13 Saturday 9th March

Our journey home After breakfast, we have a short transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for our mid-morning flight back to London, landing shortly before 3pm.

Jordan Extension itinerary

Please note this complex touring programme is subject to minor local amendments

Only 30

places available

on this extension

Please note this complex touring programme is subject to minor local amendments

INCLUSIVE HOLY LAND TOUR COST - £1795 All Lightline tours are carefully calculated to include all items necessary to complete your tour at

the advertised price.

ü Scheduled flights on BA & EL AL Israel Airlines from London. ü All airport departure & passenger taxes (UK & Israel). ü Accommodation at following selected guest houses & hotels: All hotels and guest houses are fully air-conditioned with en-suite facilities Galilee - Pilgerhaus (Benedictine guest house by the Sea of Galilee) Bethlehem - Orient Palace hotel (by Manger Square in Bethlehem) Jerusalem - Knights Palace hotel (within the walls of the Old City) ü Full board basis (breakfast, lunch & dinner). ü All entrance fees and local government taxes. ü Qualified English speaking guide throughout the tour. ü All touring in modern air-conditioned tourist coaches.

THE ONLY ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE ARE: Single room supplement (limited availability) £395, Travel insurance £49, Gratuities £75, and any items of a personal nature (laundry & drinks etc).

JORDAN EXTENSION TOUR COST - £495 ü Scheduled flights on British Airways and Royal Jordanian.

ü All airport, border, departure & passenger taxes (Jordan & Israel). ü Accommodation at following selected guest 4/5 star hotels: All hotels and guest houses are fully air-conditioned with en-suite facilities Petra - Petra Guest House (4* and within walking distance of the site) Dead Sea - Marriott (5* on the shores of the Dead Sea)

ü Full board basis (breakfast, lunch & dinner). ü All entrance fees and local government taxes. ü Qualified English speaking guide throughout the tour. ü All touring in modern air-conditioned tourist coaches.

THE ONLY ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE ARE: Single room supplement (limited availability) £139, Travel insurance £49, Gratuities £25, and any

items of a personal nature (laundry & drinks etc), Jordan Visa Procurement - £28

TRAVELLING ON YOUR OWN A large proportion of our passengers travel alone and object to expensive "single room" supplements. Please indicate this on your booking form (share twin-bedded room) and we will accommodate you with a person of the same sex also travelling alone and would also like to share a room. If we are unable to accommodate you in a shared twin, we will place you in single room at only half the cost (50%) of the usual single supplement. If you require Single accommodation (if available) you should request this when booking and the appropriate supplement will apply.

PASSPORTS, VISAS & HEALTH A full valid 10 year passport is necessary for all our tours. Check NOW that it is valid for the duration of your tour and validity runs for a further 6 months after your return to the UK. British passport holders will be issued a Visa free of charge on arrival in the Holy Land. Holders of other passports please contact Lightline Pilgrimages on 0845 610 6447 for advice. No inoculations are required, however we advise you to consult your doctor regarding your own personal requirements.

TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR Please read the booking conditions and complete the enclosed booking form and send it, with a deposit of £200 and insurance premium (if required) per person to:

Lightline Pilgrimages Ltd Coopersale Hall Farm, Epping, Essex, CM16 7PE

Lightline Pilgrimages Ltd - Britain’s leading Christian Pilgrimage Operator -

Coopersale Hall Farm, Epping, Essex CM16 7PE

Tel: 0845 6106447 / 0208 281 4882 Email:info@lightline.org.uk

website:www.lightline.org.uk Reservations: 01992 576 065

FOR YOUR PROTECTION & PEACE OF MIND Lightline Pilgrimages Limited holds an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority which requires a full financial bond for all customers’ money held. The air holiday packages in this brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9693. Please see our booking conditions for more information