Temple Mount The current plateau in the middle of the Old City is known as Temple Mount. It was here that Herod’s magnificent Temple stood with its golden exterior visible for miles. This plateau is also known in the Bible as Mt. Mariah, and is the place where Abram offered Isaac to God (Genesis 22). It is also the place where David purchased the threshing floor (2 Samuel 24) and a sacrifice was offered to God who ended the plague. And it was on this mountain that Jesus, the Lamb of God, was crucified for the sins of the world. Originally, the area was a smaller mountain, upon which was…

Masada The rocktop fortress of Masada overlooking the Dead Sea has been invested with a quasi-religious significance as a symbol of resistance for the people of Israel. Once a palatial refuge for Herod the Great, this massive plateau on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert is better known as the location of a Roman siege against Jewish rebels in AD 74. The story of 960 defenders choosing self-inflicted death rather than surrender has achieved legendary status for the Jewish people, though scholars have questioned its credibility. Masada’s symbolic status was boosted by a poem by Yitzchak Lamdan, published in 1927, and by extensive excavations by soldier-archaeologist Yigael Yadin. Masada’s…

Upper Room Also known as The Cenacle (Latin: cenaculum, from cena meaning supper) this is the traditional site of the Last Supper. This large upper room was probably part of the home of Mark’s parents, and was also the site where the Apostles often gathered. It was here that Jesus and His disciples ate the final Passover, where Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, where Judas was identified as the betrayer, where the Apostles later gathered after the resurrection, where Matthias was elected to join their number, and where the Holy Spirit descended on Pentecost. People marvel at its exquisite architecture. House of Caiaphas Caiaphas was High Priest when Jesus was…

Ostia Antica Departing from Tel Aviv we will arrive at Rome’s international airport. Before we start the visit of Rome, we drive for approximately 10 minutes towards the sea, to visit the site of Ostia Antica the harbor city of Ancient Rome. We explore the well preserved excavations and step back in time into Roman antiquity. Ostia was a cosmopolitan city, which is reflected with the various temples dedicated to Mitra ( Persian) Cibele ( Turkish ), Iside ( Egyptian) and even a synagogue. No better place to understand that Rome was the right place for Christianity to start being a worldwide religion. House on Aventino Hill On the way…

Today’s tour will show the great “power” of Rome and Emperors who demanded divinity for themselves. This was mainly what Apostle Paul preached against this is Romans 1:25 “and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” Trajan’s Column and Forum From the Trajan’s Column, jewel of architecture and sculpture made by Apollodorus of Damascus, our guide will show you along the Via dei Fori Imperiali (street of the Imperial Fora), the ruins of the fori that the great emperors built as lasting memory of their power. We see the the Forum of Trajan, the biggest and most splendid of all, whose markets, true forerunners…

Paul was not the only Apostle of the early church associated with Rome. Peter was martyred on the Vatican Hill and the memory of the impact of the Apostle John’s lasting ministry before and after his apparent arrest and exile to Patmos by Emperor Domitian also has its place. This morning we board our bus and continue our Roman visit at Basilica of St John in Lateran which became among the most important Christians Churches of Rome. We continue with a relaxing walking tour throughout the most beautiful squares of Rome, from the Trevi Fountain, to the Pantheon and Navona Square, where we will enjoy a break for lunch. In…