“And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying: This is a desert place, and the hour is now past: send away the multitudes, that going into the towns, they may buy themselves victuals.

But Jesus said to them, They have no need to go: give you them to eat. They answered him: We have not here, but five loaves, and two fishes. He said to them: Bring them hither to me. And when he had commanded the multitudes to sit down upon the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up what remained, twelve full baskets of fragments.” (Matthew 14: 15-20, Luke 9: 10-17, Mark 6: 30-44)

A small hill located near Tabgha and rising about 180 meters above the Sea of Galilee. It offers a magnificent view of the landscape made holy during the first years of Jesus’ activity.  According to the tradition, it is the site where Jesus delivered his famous Sermon on the Mount.

“1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him. 2 And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. 5 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5: 1-5)

It’s a Franciscan Chapel, located in Tabgha, about 300 meters east of the Church of the Multiplication, on the northwest shores of the Sea of Galilee. It stands over the place where Jesus appeared to his disciples for the third time following his resurrection, and invested Peter with his authority and commended him to “Feed my sheep”. (John 21:17)

The area of the Sea of Galilee can be divided into two areas. The fertile valleys suited on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee are known by Tabgha. This area is located about 2.5 miles (4km) southeast of Capernaum. The Arabic name “Tabgha” is derived from the Greek “Heptapegon” that means seven springs. In ancient times, many springs flow in this area that helped operating water mills.

The Sea of Galilee, as mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 4:18, Mark 1:16), is known by many different names; Sea of Tiberias – Called after the major city at the western shores, city of Tiberias, that was built in the Roman period to honor the Roman emperor Tiberius. Sea of Kinnereth (Joshua 19:35) – Called after the city of Kinnereth/ Chinnereth in olden times, the shape of the lake resembles a Kinor which is a harp in Hebrew.  Lake of Gennesaret - Called after the Land of Gennesaret (Matthew 14:36) then it was known as Lake of Gennesar, which means the “gardens of the prince” – Called after the fertile plains located on the north west side of the lake that contained royal gardens to honor the roman Caesar Herod. Today, it’s known as Yam Kinneret (Hebrew) and Buhayrat Tabariyya, بحيرة طبريا (Arabic) by the locals.    

Under the tyrant regime of the Ottoman Empire, Christians of the Holy Land had to find ways to practice their faith without bringing too much attention to themselves. Haifa was not an exception, and Christians, who made over 50% of the population of Haifa back then, had to maneuver to build more places of worship.

Built in 1862 in the middle of "Haret el Kanayes" (Arabic - meaning Neighborhood of Churches), what is known today as "Kiriat Hamemshala" (Hebrew - meaning Government's Campus), The Madonna Church was one of the most important Christian worship centers in Haifa. In 1936 it was officially associated with the Melkite Catholic Church.

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.

Prophet Elijah's cave (Elias the Thesbite), also known as the School of the Prophet, is one of the most sacred shrines in the Holy Land that brings many pilgrims to Haifa each year. According to the tradition (Jewish and Christian), Elijah lived and hid from the Kings of Israel (King Ahab and his wife Jezebel) in a cave on Mountain Carmel 29 centuries ago and after his return from exile he established a school in that cave. (Third Book Of Kings 17)

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:

A town of restorations and ancient ruins. A town of hidden caves and stairways. A town of church bells. This is Nazareth, located in the heart of a valley, surrounded by mountains. Historical findings tell us that Nazareth, originally a small farming village, had some 200 households at the time of Jesus Christ. Since then, it has known as one of the holiest cities in the world.