Beit Sahour General Overview

Beit Sahour is pronounced Bayt Sahoor (بيت ساحور) in Arabic which means “Place of the Night Watch”. The origins of the name stems from the Canaanite language – The House of the Shepherds, which reflected the importance of the area for shepherds especially for its fertile fields that contain large caves as shelters for the shepherded and their flock at the nights.

The Church of the Shepherd’s Fields is suited approximately 2 kilometers to the east of Bethlehem, at the east end of the Arab village of Beit Sahour. It’s considered one of the most sacred places in the Holy Land and attracts many pilgrims each year. The fertile fields of Beit Sahour are believed to be where the Angel of the Lord appeared to the Shepherds that were keeping watch over their flocks at night and informed them of Jesus’ birth.

Haifa is the Headquarter for Baha’ism. The spectacular shrine of the Báb and the splendid gardens are striking landmarks of Haifa and has attracted millions of visitors.

Garden traces, also known as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, extending 1 km from the base of Mount Carmel to its summit. This spectacular garden features 19 tracers and more than 1500 steps and its centerpiece is the gold domed shrine of the Báb. The nine tracers above the shrine and the nine tracers below the shrine represent the first eighteen disciples of the Báb.

Haifa General Overview

The city of Haifa (Hebrew: חיפה "Hayfa", Arabic: حيفا "Heifa") is truly one of Israel's jewels. Situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and stretches up the slope of the inspiring Carmel Mountain, Haifa becomes a beautiful composition of mountain and sea, urbanism and nature. Haifa is the third largest city in Israel and the northern capital of the country. The city plays a major role in Israel's economy and its major seaport feeds the blooming industry and tourism in the city.

The name Cana [כפר קנה – قانا الجليل – كفر كنّا] originates from the Hebrew word “קנה” / Caneh / (Hebrew) meaning cane (plant). It is believed that in the past the area of Cana had many water springs and swamps surrounded with cane.

According to the Bible, Cana of Galilee, modern name Kafr Kanna, population of 8,500 that includes both Muslims and Christians, is a Galilean town located 9 km (5.6 miles) northeast of Nazareth, on the main road to Tiberias and refers to the site of Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding: