Voice of the Copts invites you to spend Easter 2016 in the Holy Land!!!
We will be celebrating Catholic Easter in March 27 and Orthodox Easter in May 1
If you are interested, please act as soon as possible. Time is senstive, space are limited.
For addtional information, please contact us:
Itinerary For: 8 day Catholic Group Easter 2016
Registration dead line is February 25th, 2016
Monday, March 21, 2016
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we are met by our Tour Escort and transferred to our hotel in Herzliya by the sea. Dinner and orientation.
Note: If arrival is early enough we can request Mass at St. Peter’s Church in Jaffa or we can arrange a private room in the hotel.
Overnight: Tel Aviv, Israel
Meals: Dinner
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
After breakfast we begin our exploration of the Holy Land. Our first stop will be Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea to discover the ancient Crusader and Roman town, its aqueduct and theater. We are now off to Mount Carmel. We will stop at the Carmelite Monastery at the Muhraka, site of Elijah’s altar and celebrate Mass at Stella Maris Church(pending confirmation). Paintings in the church dome depict Old Testament stories, including one of Elijah being swept up to heaven in a fiery chariot. We visit the Church of the Annunciation, built over the Grotto of the Annunciation, the place where early Christian tradition says that the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary. We continue to Joseph’s carpentry workshop and then to Cana, site of the wedding feast. We now continue to our hotel in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. (B,D)
Overnight: Tiberias, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
This morning we will visit the Christian sites along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus taught and performed miracles here. We visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, where, according to tradition, Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. The sermon is commemorated in the Church of the Beatitudes, built overlooking the Sea of Galilee. We continue to Tabgha, site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. A mosaic commemorating this miracle is located near the altar at Tabgha. We also visit Capernaum and the Church of the Primacy of Peter. Later we proceed to the Church of the Transfiguration at Mt. Tabor -Celebrate Mass (pending confirmation) and the Jordan River, site of Jesus’ baptism. We enjoy a cruise on the Sea of Galilee and visit Ginnosar where we see a fisherman’s boat that dates to Jesus’ time. Dinner and overnight are in the Galilee (B,D)
Overnight: Tiberias, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Thursday, March 24, 2016
After breakfast drive to Bet Shean the most magnificent archeological site in Israel. Located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons at Mt Gilboa, the Philiistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. During the time of Jesus Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis-a league of 10 cities sharing Greek culture and government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley southward our guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the “Land of Milk and Honey” and Israel’s intricate irrigation development. We pass ancient Jericho, view from the distance this city famed as the oldest in the world.
Stop atop Mt Scopus for your first glimpse of the “Golden City”. Check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B.D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast
Friday, March 25, 2016
Today we participate in a full day tour of Jerusalem including the Mt. of Olives, Mt. Scopus, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of Agony. We continue to the Kidron Valley and to Mt. Zion, site of the Last Supper room and David’s tomb. We visit a model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period as well as the Shrine of the Book, with the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, at the Israel Museum. We drive to the village of Ein Kerem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist
(B. Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Our destination for today is the Dead Sea region, the lowest point on earth. We drive to Masada, the fortress where Jewish Zealots held off the armies of the Roman Empire before choosing death over surrender. We continue to Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. This afternoon we can opt to “float” on the Dead Sea. On our way back to Jerusalem, we view the caves of Qumran where, in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast
Sunday, March 27, 2016
We spend the day in the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting St. Anne’s Church, the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Ecce Homo Arch. We continue through the Bazaar to the Via Dolorosa which winds through the streets of Old Jerusalem and commemorates the path that Jesus walked on his way to the crucifixion. We visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, containing the tomb where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. Later we head to Bethlehem for an inspiring visit to the Church of the Nativity (subject to availability). While returning to Jerusalem we view Shepherd’s Field and Rachel’s Tomb. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.
This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast
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Itinerary For: 11 Day Coptic Christian Group to Holy Land Coptic Easter 2016
Registration dead line is March 14th, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
Arrive Ben Gurion Airport. You will be met after passport control and assisted through customs to meet your guide and driver. Transfer to Jerusalem. Check into your hotel Dinner and overnight, (D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Dinner
Saturday, April 23, 2016
After a wonderful Israeli breakfast, most of this morning will be touring in Jerusalem. We shall begin by returning to the Mount of Olives, then follow the Footsteps of Jesus. Visit Dominus Flevit (Luke 19.41) where He wept over the city. Down at the bottom of Kidron Valley we will visit the Greek Orthodox Church marking the tomb of Mary. Visit The Garden of Gethsemane the site of the arrest of Jesus and taking Him to the house of the High priest Caiaphas (Matt. 26.34, Mark 14.30 and Luke 22.54-70). We continue to Mount Zion to see the tomb of King David and the nearby Room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38). Return to the hotel for dinner. (B.D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast. Dinner
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Today is Sunday and we are in the holy city of Jerusalem, we will have a special Liturgy at the Coptic Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After the service we will tour the new city of Jerusalem. We will visit the Israel Museum and see the Dead Sea scrolls display here, we will also visit the miniature model of Jerusalem as it looked during the period of Jesus. We will continue to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist (Luke 1.39-80) to visit the Church of the visitation. Later we will drive by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) and the Government offices. (B,D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Monday, April 25, 2016
Today we will visit Bethlehem; the birthplace of the Lord Jesus and part of our tour will include a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Nativity, followed by a visit to the one of the most ancient Greek Orthodox Monasteries in our region; The 4th century Mar Sava Monastery built on the banks of the Kidron dry river canyon. On the way back we will visit the Greek Orthodox Church at the Shepherds Fields. As we enter Jerusalem we will visit the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Monastery commemorating Prophet Elijah. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem. (B,D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Today we leave Jerusalem on our way north to the Galilee. We will drive along the Jordan Valley highway until we reach Beit Shean one of the Decapolis cities in the roman period today one of the largest excavations in Israel. From here to the city of Nazareth. Visit to the Greek Orthodox Church in Nazareth known as May’s well here Mother Mary received the good news from the Angel Gabriel. Continue to see the site of the first miracle of the Lord Jesus, visit the Greek Orthodox Church at Cana of Galilee (John 2. 1-11). From here to Tiberias for our dinner and overnight near the shores of the Sea of Galilee.(B,D)
Overnight: Tiberias, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Depart after breakfast for a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (John 6. 1, 6.23). We shall visit this morning the Orthodox Church in Capernaum where most of the ministries of Jesus took place (Matt.4 13, 13.54, 17.54, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, John 4.46-54). A visit to Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus taught His disciples (Matt. 5,6,7,8) the Sermon on the Mount. Visit Tabgha where Jesus fed multitude with just 2 fishes and 5 loves (Matt..13,Mark .33-45 and John 21). We will drive along the eastern shore of the lake where we will visit the Byzantine site of the miracle of the Gederenes at Kursi (Luke 8. 26-39, Matt 8. 28-34 and Mark 5). Drive to Yardenit the Baptisamal site on the Jordan River.Return to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight. (B,D)Overnight: Tiberias, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Thursday, April 28, 2016
We will be taking leave of the Galilee today – After breakfast we will drive to Mt Tabor, site of the transfiguration of our Lord, visit the Orthodox Monastery located on the top of the Mountain. Continue to Mount Carmel to see where Elijah the prophet performed the miracle of the fire against the false prophets of Baal (1st Kings 18). Also here we will visit the Stella Maris Monastery center of the Carmelites in the Holy Land. From here we travel to Caesarea Maritime (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48). Visit the Roman, Byzantine and Crusader ruins including the Theatre and the Aqueduct. Continue to Old Jaffa to visit the site of St. Peter’s vision taking place on the roof of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10:5 ). We will walk around the Artist colony. We return back to Jerusalem and check into our hotel for dinner and overnight, (B,D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast
Friday, April 29, 2016
Breakfast at your hotel. Today we drive towards the Judean Wilderness; Our first visit will be to the view point at Wadi Kelt (security pending) to see the 4th century Greek Monastery Of St George, next we arrive at the Biblical city of Jericho. We will visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Karantal built on top of the Mount of Temptation, this is where Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the Devil for 40 days! We will also visit the ancient “Tel” and view the spring of Elisha. We will continue on to the Orthodox Monasteries built on the bank of the Jordan River east of Jericho commemorating the baptismal of Jesus by John the Baptist. Continue driving along the Dead Sea, stop in Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Here we will also have time to float on the Dead Sea waters. Return to Jerusalem on the way we will visit the Inn Of The Good Samaritan and the village of Bethany with the Church commemorating the resurrection of Lazarus. Dinner at our hotel in Jerusalem. (B,D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Following breakfast, the entire day will be spent in the old city of Jerusalem with visits of the Cardo – ancient Byzantine Street, the Western Wall. In the afternoon, we visit the 6th century Orthodox Monastery at the Valley of the Cross, the long time tradition say that from here the olive tree used for Jesus cross was cut. (B,D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Sunday, May 01, 2016
Following breakfast, the entire day will be spent in the old city of Jerusalem in Celebration our Easter Sunday. We will walk along the Via Dolorosa where Jesus carried his Cross all the way to Golgotha. The Antonia fortress and the Lithostrothos (John 19.13) and finally the Church of the Holy Sepulcher with the Coptic Orthodox church in it (matt. 27.33-57, 28.10). At the end of the day we will return to our hotel for final dinner. Tomorrow we return home. (B,D)
Overnight: Jerusalem, Israel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Monday, May 02, 2016
Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)