Pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land

Dear Friends in Cyberspace:

I am pleased to invite you to join me and other Melkite clergy and laity in celebrating the New Millennium in

AN ALL-INCLUSIVE PILGRIMAGE TO ROME AND TO THE HOLY LAND AND TO WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS AND THE APOSTLES

Although the deadlines for applying are past - there may still be some space or last minute openings so for full details, call "Tour Connections of America., Falls Church, VA, Mr. John Samaha (703) 533.3434

I -PILGRIMAGE TO ROME DECEMBER 6 -- 11, 2000

Prices for Pilgrimage to Rome Tour price per person double occupancy $1020 ($150 supplement for single room)

II - PILGRIMAGE TO ROME AND THE HOLY LAND DECEMBER 6 -- 17, 2000

WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS AND THE APOSTLES

Prices for Rome & Holy Land Tour price per person double occupancy $1875 ($330 supplement for single room)

PILGRIMAGE TO ROME - December 6 - 11, 2000

Explore the history and the beauty that is the Eternal City.

Dec. 6 Depart from New York

Dec. 7 Arrive in Rome. Settle into your hotel. Take a discovery tour of Rome with an English speaking guide.

Dec. 8 Rome and the Jubilee ceremony at St. Mary Major Basilica. In the morning tour Ancient Rome by motor coach with an English speaking guide. See the Capital, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Liturgy available at the Church of St. Peter in Chains - with Michelangelo's statue of Moses. Afternoon - St. Mary Major Basilica and the Akathist service to the Mother of God with members of other Byzantine Churches.

Dec. 9 The Vatican. Full day of sightseeing in Rome by motor coach with an English speaking guide, including lunch: Vatican Museum, Galleries, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul. Liturgy available in the catacombs.

Sunday, Dec. 10, St. Mary in Cosmedin, the Melkite Patriarchal Church. Morning Jubilee ceremony at our Melkite Church of St. Mary in Cosinedin. Afternoon free in Rome for sightseeing or shopping.

Dec. 11 Airport - Return home or flying on to Jerusalem to continue the Pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

II - PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

Dec. 11 Rome / Tel Aviv / Nazareth - Afternoon arrival in Tel Aviv. Transfer to hotel in Nazareth.

Dee. 12 Nazareth / Tiberias / Nazarth - Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation where the angel appeared to Mary. Visit the home of St. Joseph and Mary's well. Liturgy at the Melkite Church of the Annunciation. Drive to Tiberias, stop at Cana of Galilee. Boat trip on Lake Tiberias. Visit Tabgha site of the Miracle of the loaves and fishes and the Mountain where Jesus preached the Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount), and Capernaum - St. Peter's village. Return to Nazareth. Dinner at the hotel.

Dee. 13 Mt. Tabor / Haifa / Caesarea Maritima / Jerusalem.Drive to Mt. Tabor - the place of the Transfiguration. On to Haifa visit to Mt. Carmel and St. Elias Melkite Church. Afternoon drive to Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean to visit the ruins of the Crusader Fortress and Aqueduct. Late afternoon drive to Jerusalem.

Dec. 14 Ein Karem / Bethlehem / Jerusalem Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist. St. John's Church and the Visitation Church. Continue to Bethlehem. Visit the Nativity Church, the Milk Grotto and Shepherd's Field.

Dec. 15 Jerusalem - Visit the Mount of Olives, the Chapel of the Ascension, Pater Noster Church, Dominus Flevit and the Garden and Basilica of Gethsemane. Walk the Via Dolorosa - the Way of the Cross - ending at the Holy Sepulcher, the Church of the Resurrection. Afternoon, visit Mount Zion, site of the Last Supper, the Dormition, David's Tomb and the location of Peter's denial.

Dec. 16 Jericho / Qumran / Dead Sea Jerusalem. Visit Jericho. Continue on to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Drive to the Dead Sea where you will have the chance to bathe in the waters of the Dead Sea and have lunch. Afternoon visit to St. George of Kosiba. Return to Jerusalem for farewell dinner.

Dec. 17 Jerusalem - Sunday Liturgy in our Melkite Patriachate, Our Lady of the Annunciation. Meet our Patriarchal Vicar Archbishop Lutfy Lahham. Visit the Wailing Wall, A1 Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Return to Ben Guiron Airport for departure.