MARY’S PILGRIMS
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Trip 1 to HOLY LAND, JORDAN, PETRA, MOUNT NEBO, EGYPT, MOUNT SINAI, ZAYTOUN, TURKEY (ISTANBUL)
Trip 2 to LEBANON & SYRIA - Sept 19 – 27, 2009
Trip 3 to TURKEY Oct 11 -18, 2009
HOLY LAND, JORDAN, PETRA, MOUNT NEBO, EGYPT, MOUNT SINAI, ZAYTOUN, TURKEY (ISTANBUL)
With Fr. Rene Gagnon, Carol Ameche, Collette Columbe & Sr.Yvette Barriault
September 26 – 11, 2009
$3295.00 USD / CDN $ 3999.00
Pre-tour: Lebanon & Syria $ 1295.00 USD/CDN $1695. 00
(A MEETING WITH MIRNA OF SYRIA *)
Day l: Depart from JFK / Montreal on our transatlantic flight to Tel Aviv.
Day 2: Met by escort in Holy Land…transfer to hotel….. dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 3: After breakfast, travel along coast to Caesarea and visit the ruins of the Roman Amphitheater and the Crusader Town. Travel on to Haifa, visit Mt. Carmel, a Carmelite Monastery and Stella Maris Church. We will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary and Joseph’s House and the carpentry shop… dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 4: After breakfast, we travel by boat across the Sea of Galilee. We visit the ruins of the Ancient Synagogue, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha and the Chapel of St. Peter…. dinner and overnight at hotel
Day 5: After breakfast, we depart Tiberias and continue on to the River Jordan. We stop at Ardent, then drive through the Jezreel Valley and visit the peak of Mt. Tabor. We go on to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city and view the Mount of Temptation. We drive on to Qumran and visit the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered…. a brief stop at the shores of the Dead Sea….. dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6: After breakfast, we go to the Mount of Olives and visit the Chapel of the Ascension. We then visit the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane. We go on to Bethany (House of Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ tomb) and then on to Bethlehem. Here we visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Field…..dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 7: After breakfast, we visit Old Jerusalem. Here we view the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, St. Anne’s Church, the Pool of Bethesda, and Via Dolorosa. We then visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher…… dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 8: After breakfast, we travel to Jordan. Here we are shown Mount Nebo, the point from where Moses viewed the Promised Land. We travel on to Madaba and see the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land. We then travel on to Jerash, a Greco-Roman City….. dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 9: After breakfast, we drive to Petra by horse back and foot, up a winding canyon road; we will visit the “rose-red” city. We will visit the Treasury, Petra’s most beautiful monument…..dinner and overnight
Day l0: After breakfast, We will then travel on to Aqaba which is on the Red Sea…..dinner and overnight.
Day 11: After breakfast, we cross over to Egypt and enter the Sinai Peninsula…..dinner and overnight
Day 12: Early morning walk up to Mount Sinai (optional). After breakfast, we visit St. Catherine’s Monastery, apparently built to protect the Burning Bush. We then travel along the eastern Sinai coast to Wadi Feiran where the children of Israel withstood the Amalekites. Travel to Elim where the children of Israel camped by the oasis of 70 palm trees. Your final stop of the day will be Marah by the Red Sea where the "waters were bitter". Continue to Cairo for dinner and a three night stay.
Day 13: After breakfast we travel south to view Joseph's River and Lake, created by Joseph during the period of the seven years of famine. Visit a grain silo of the king established under Joseph's rule to store grain during the seven years of famine. Tour the rural region of traditional Egyptian farming and stop at an old corn water mill. Travel, as Abraham did, to Memphis (Biblical Noph) and on to Sakkara. After lunch we visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. We have dinner and overnight in Cairo.
Day l4: After breakfast, we visit Abu Serga Church, the Holy family lived here in Egypt. We will also visit the Virgin Tree, the Holy Family stopped here on their flight to Egypt. We will then visit the Church of St. Mary, where thousands witnessed the Miraculous apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary…. apparently, the healings continue. We have dinner and over night in Cairo
Day l5: Early morning flight to Istanbul. On arrival, we will visit the Hippodrome and Basilica of St. Sophia, which has inspired architects and religious leaders for over fifteen hundred years. Constructed in 326 by Constantine the Great, it has been a cathedral, a mosque, and now a museum. Later transfer to your hotel…dinner and overnight
Day 16 :After breakfast, we depart for our flight back home.
Not included: Airport taxes, approximately USD $350 - $450.00 per person, subject to change, insurance, Israeli departure tax at Allenby bridge 76.00 P.P., Egypt departure tax 21.00 P.P., visa fees for Egypt $26.00, Jordan tax 21.00, Turkey 20.00 , Tips $8.00 per day per person .
Please call us for add on fares from the US and Canada Extension Turkey Seven Churches of the book of Revelation $1295.00 USD /CDN $1695.00 Oct 11 -17, 2009 MARY’S PILGRIMS 1-800-VIR-MARY (847-6279) 905- 847 - 9750 / Fax : 905 – 827 – 9607 / TICO:3230641 www.maryspilgrims.com / email: jesus@maryspilgrims.com
Pre - tour: USD $ 1295.00 / CDN $ 1695.00 LEBANON & SYRIA - Sept 19 – 27, 2009
*A MEETING WITH MIRNA AT SOUFANIEH:*
Sept 19 Departure from Montreal & JFK Airport to Beirut with Air France, dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Sept 20 Arrival at Beirut Airport, We get better acquainted and we transfer to the hotel where we have dinner and overnight
Sept 21 BEIRUT – BYBLOS ANNAYA
After breakfast we visit Beirut and start with a cathedral. We proceed to Magdouche’s grotto where the Virgin Mary prayed while Jesus preached in Tyr and Sidon. After we have a short tour of Tyr and Sidon. Then the bus takes us to Jounieh where we get on the cable car up to Mont Harissa dedicated to the Virgin of Lebanon. It is of an undescribable beauty. We return along the coast to reach Nahr Ibrahim, (Tripoli is a sea port that existed in the 9th century BC. We then proceed east to Mghairi to visit the Yanouth Temple, this small building is protected by a wall converted into a church of the Byzantine period and dedicated to « .Saint-George the Blue »! We continue toward Akoura, a small village located at the top of an impressive cliff. We visit a cave of the Roman era which became a chapel dedicated to Saint Peter, a pilgrimage site where we can admire Syria writings on its walls. Dinner and overnight.
Sept 22 THE BEST IS YET TO COME WITH THE VISIT TO ANNAYA, SAINT CHARBEL’S VILLAGE: After breakfast We visit and pray at the tomb of Saint Charbel. – We have the Eucharist at the Sanctuary - Visit of the Museum – Visit the Hermitage – We could get Saint Charbel oil. Saint Charbel was canonized in 1977 and a number of miracles have been witnessed around the world. His remains are intact. We now proceed to Byblos for a short visit. With Damascus and Jericho, Byblos is one of the oldest cities in the world which has been continuously inhabited. This Phoenician city was called Byblos by the Greeks. Because it was through Gebal that (bublos/Egyptian papyrus was imported into Greece. It is mentioned in the bible in 1Kings 5:18 referring to the nationality of the builders of Solomon’s Temple. Visit the Crusader’s castle (12th century) and its small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Door located at the foot of the castle; the ancient Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist; the baptistery which stands against the cathedral and the Orthodox chapel to the west dating back to the Byzantine period. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Sept
23: *BEIRUT – MT. LEBANON - BAALBECK - DAMASCUS*
After breakfast we begin by visiting Jeita grotto. Jeita Grotto is the jewel of
tourism in Lebanon offering to its visitors *after we drive up Mt. Lebanon and
view the cedars of Lebanon that were exported in ancient times to Jerusalem to
build the Temple in Jerusalem. Drive down to Baal beck and visit one of the
greatest Roman temples in the world. When Christianity was declared an official
religion of the Roman Empire in 313 AD., Byzantine Emperor Constantine
officially closed the Baal beck temples. At the end of the 4th century, the
Emperor Theodosius tore down the altars of Jupiter’s Great Court and built a
basilica using the temple’s stones and architecture elements. Proceed through
Beqaa Valley to the Lebanese/Syrian Border. After going through the border
procedures, drive to Damascus for dinner and overnight.
Sept 24: FULL DAY AT DAMASCUS*
After breakfast we begin with the city tour of Damascus : *Umayyad Mosque*
where is John the Baptist’s head. Then, walk the Street called Straight to
visit St. Paul's Window and St. Ananias Chapel.
*THE BEST IS YET THE MEETING
WITH MIRNA AT SOUFANIEH:*
Welcome from Myrna, meeting with her spiritual director, Eucharist,
praying before the icon of Our Lady of Soufanieh. To know every thing
about Myrna this great mystic see the web site:
www.soufanieh.com
dinner and overnight.
Sept 25: *MA’ALOUA:*
After breakfast we drive north of Damascus, Ma’aloua is a very
special village where the inhabitants speak Aramaic, the same language spoken by
Jesus. The point of view is very difficult to describe. It is so beautiful that
we have to see. Along the cliff the monastery of Saint Serge (a saint very loved
in Orient). There we can see icon from 6e s. The bishop of Ma’aloua was at the
council of Nicée in 325 A.D. Down the cliff, the monastery of Sainte Thècle (the
lady who followed St Paul during his travels). In this monastery is the Sainte
Thecle’s tomb. Don’t forget oil: the chapel is full of ex-voto given by men and
women who were healed by Sainte Thècle intercession. Before going to Damascus
for diner and sleeping may be we will be able to taste the good Ma’aloua’s
wine…. Dinner and overnight.
Sept 26 : *PALMYRA :* After breakfast we drive to this ancient city of central Syria, located in an oasis 130 miles (210 km) NE of Damascus. Once dubbed the "Bride of the Desert," Palmyra was a vital stop for caravans crossing the Syrian desert. Palmyra was mentioned in the Old Testament as being fortified by Solomon and it flourished in Roman times. The city is mentioned in tablets dating from as early as the 19th century BC, when it was a trading city in the extensive trade network that linked Mesopotamia and northern Syria. It appears in the Bible (II Chronicles 8.4) as a desert city fortified by Solomon. (There is a mention of a city of Tamar in I Kings 9.18, also fortified by Solomon, which may refer to Tadmor but could also be a place near the Dead Sea.) Tadmor is also mentioned by Josephus (Antiquities, Book VIII) along with the Greek name of Palmyra, as a city built by Solomon. Dinner and overnight
tSept 27: * Palmyra / Israel After breakfast depart for Israel , after crossing the border we transfer to our hotel and overnight. We will meet up with the English group dinner and overnight
Post tour :Turkey Seven Churches of the book of Revelation
$1295.00 USD / CDN 1695.00 - Oct 11 -18, 2009
Oct 11, Arrival in Istanbul, transfer to you hotel dinner and overnight (D)
Oct 12, Istanbul–Iznik–Bursa Guided sightseeing in Istanbul includes visits to the BLUE MOSQUE and TOPKAPI SERAGLIO, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. Then journey to Iznik (Nicea), site of the First and Second Councils in the early Christian church. The Nicean Creed was written at the First Council to more clearly define the Trinity. Finally, arrive in Bursa. Guided sightseeing features a visit to the GREEN OTTOMAN COMPLEX, the GREAT MOSQUE (Ulu Camii), and the SILK BAZAAR. (B,D)
Oct 13, Bursa–Akhisar–Sardes (Sart)–Alasehir–Pamukkale Visit Akhisar (Thyatira), a church praised for its increasing faith but criticized for its tolerance of Jezebel, a local false prophet who misled the local Christians (Rev. 2:18-29). Arrive in Sardes to visit the SYNAGOGUE, which has been dated back to the 3rd century and where sacred books were kept. Also, see the GYMNASIUM on the south side of the synagogue. The gymnasium was constructed during the reign of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 AD). Afterwards, visit Sart, the church with a reputation for being alive, but which God announced dead (Rev. 3:1-6). Next, enjoy an orientation of Alasehir (Philadelphia), the church that received God’s highest commendation (Rev. 3:7-13). Arrive in Pamukkale, home to the spectacular hot springs, for your overnight. (B,D)
Oct 14, Pamukkale–Hierapolis–Laodicea–Aphrodisias–Kusadasi This morning features a guided visit to the nearby ruins of Hierapolis, an important seat of early Christianity. Visit the MARTYRIUM of Apostle Philip. Continue to the ancient city and church of Laodicea, where Apostle John chastised the inhabitants for being lukewarm (Rev. 3:14-22). Next, stop in Aphrodisias, dedicated to the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and once a center for the arts. Due to the influence of Christianity in the 6th century AD, the name was changed to Stavropolis, meaning “City of the Cross.” In the 13th century it was abandoned altogether. On to your hotel in Kusadasi. (B,D)
Oct 15, Kusadasi. Excursion to Ephesus Arrive at Ephesus, one of the New Testament’s most significant cities (Rev. 2:1-7). Apostle Paul came in 53 AD to this ancient city and wrote his famous epistle (Acts 18:19-26; Ephesians) to its inhabitants. According to tradition, the Apostle John wrote his Gospel here. This is also the place where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. Visit the ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, including the HOUSE OF MARY and the BASILICA OF JOHN THE EVANGELIST. (B,D)
Oct 16, Thu Kusadasi –Izmir – Canakkale Journey to Izmir (Smyrna), and enjoy an orientation tour. The city was established in 3000 BC, and was one of the Seven Churches which John referred to as the poor, persecuted church that God announced was rich due to their faithfulness amidst their suffering (Rev. 2:8-11). Then drive to Visit Bergama (Pergamum), the church that John both affirmed and chastised (Rev. 2:12-17). See the Red Basilica which housed the 1st-century Christian church referred to by John in Revelation. In addition, Pergamum was an active trade and commerce city in the early centuries, which allowed it to develop the first parchment to compete against the Egyptian papyrus. Visit the Greek ACROPOLIS, designed to imitate the one in Athens. Also visit the ASCLEPEION, once dedicated to the Greek god of healing. Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.
Oct 17, Fri Canakkale - Troy –Istanbul After breakfast, continue to TROY, the perfect place to brush up on Homer’s Trojan War, hollow wooden horse and all. Spend the night at nearby Canakkale. By FERRY, cross the Dardanelles back to Europe and the 20th century. Return to Istanbul.Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
Oct 18, Sat- Departure from Istanbul Meet at the hotel lobby and transfer to Istanbul Airport for your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)