holy land tour ccf

Pyramids of Giza

Sea of Galilee

• Christ Fellowship Holy Land Tour 2023
• Accommodations
• Confirmation

• March 17, 2023 - March 25, 2023

Join us as we journey to the Holy Land. This tour will provide a deep spiritual experience for you, as well as, many opportunities to create a personal connection with the Bible and your faith. Walk the streets where Jesus walked and experience the places where the great stories of the Bible took place.   If you are booking as a Solo Traveler but will add a roommate at a later time please call our High Point Call Center Office at 800-889-5265 to book your tour.

If you have already booked a reservation and are returning to pay a balance, please use the button below.

Join Pastors Paul McDill, Randy Wade and David Griffin for an unforgettable journey to the Holy Land. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Bible and witness its stories come to life before your very eyes. Led by a licensed Israeli guide, this professional tour will take you to the very places where biblical events took place. Explore ancient sites and artifacts, gain a deeper understanding of the scriptures, and strengthen your faith as you embark on this unique adventure. This is an opportunity to deepen your connection to God and His word while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The tour package includes:

• hotel stay for eight nights (double occupancy)
• one night in Netanya
• three nights on the Sea of Galilee
• four nights in Jerusalem
• breakfast and dinner on tour days
• four lunches
• deluxe motorcoach transportation
• entrance fees to all sites and exhibits
• all taxes, service charges, fees and gratuities
• optional group air space

Other details:

• tour space is limited
• price per person: $3,395 + airfare
• estimated airfare: approx. $1,700
• single room supplement: $1,154
• cancellation insurance recommended
• nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 required at signup

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CCF Holy Land Tour 2016: Q&A

Last May 2016, Mor joined CCF’s Holy Land Bible Study Tour. I didn’t join him on this trip because first, we can’t just leave Luke for 2 weeks and second, I’ve already joined the 2010 tour  and it’s a pretty expensive trip to do twice over!

Some things have changed since my 2010 trip but there are also some that have remained the same. And because I wasn’t there, I can’t very well write a blog post about the trip (haha) so instead, I interviewed Mor about his experience. Hope this helps if you’re planning to join next year’s tour!

Weather & Clothing

Q: Since you visited during May, how was the weather like?

A: HOT! But Jerusalem was cool, kindda like Baguio weather.

Q: What do you suggest for clothing to pack, especially for men?

A: I wish I brought those shirts with sun protection in them (like the ones in North Face or Columbia) Loose cotton long sleeves would be good too because the sun can get prickly. Definitely a must to wear comfy shoes with good grip like Merrell or Timberland ones because most of the terrain is mostly either rocky or hilly.

Q: What are your other must-packs?

A: Bring an umbrella and a wide hat; this is for all those walking under the sun. For me, a double clip for the belt to put umbrella and purchases would be a smart idea.

The Basics: Food, Hotel, Safety

Q: What can you say about the hotels you stayed in?

A: All our hotels are above average. In Egypt though, the four star hotels are a far cry from the four star hotels in Israel. Most hotels will charge you for water and most also don’t provide slippers, so keep that in mind. My favorite was our hotel in Jordan: Movenpick Aqaba was the best; the food was great and the facilities were 5 star.

Q: How was the food like?

A: You’ll get used to eating falafel, humus and traditional Jewish food like lamb. Don’t expect too much beef.

Q: The first thing people usually ask is “Is it safe?” What is your answer to that?

A: Generally, we felt safe throughout the trip. Of course, you have to take the advice of your guides who would tell you to avoid places that might be more prone to pickpocketing (like in the Pyramids) but other than that, we encountered no problems.

Surviving Mt. Sinai

Q: What are your tips for surviving Mt. Sinai?

A: Bring a walking stick. It sounds funny but it was extremely useful, especially on the way down because the pressure will not be on your knees but on the stick instead. They sold walking sticks at St. Catherine (hotel) for $10 and though expensive, it was one of my best buys during the trip. Actually, they let people borrow used sticks for free, but most of the sticks were already overused and the grip doesn’t hold up well anymore (which defeats the purpose) so I decided to buy one instead.

Q: What else did you bring in your backpack? Any other tips?

A: Water, Gatorade and energy bar. We started the hike at 12 midnight and finished at 8am (going up and down.) The energy bars really helped. I used my National Geographic backpack,  which was just the right size. Going up, I didn’t put anything much but on the way down when the weather was a bit hotter, I took off my jacket and placed it there.

* Sheena’s note: I packed bandaids, cotton and a small povidine iodine solution in a tiny ziploc for him, for emergency purposes in case someone slips and gets hurt.  (I also wrote about my own climb here)

Q: Do you recommend riding a camel going up and/or going down, or climb it by foot all the way?

A: I climbed up and down by foot, but that’s a personal preference. The camels walk on the edge while climbing up so for me, I didn’t want to take the risk. But if you’re not really that fit, I suggest you ride a camel. We saw some senior citizens literally being carried down by the porters because they were too tired.

* Sheena’s note: I climbed Mt. Sinai up by foot and was extremely tired by the time I reached the top. So I really had to ride a camel down. If I were to do it again, I would take a camel both going up and down to save energy and because I feel that would be a safer option, rather than have my legs give up on me halfway. But that’s just me! Hehe.

Places & Experiences

Q: What are your top 3 favorite experiences?

A: Praise and worship at the Sea of Galilee, floating in the Dead Sea and visiting the Holocaust Museum.

Q: What was something that you didn’t expect?

A: That I would gain so many good friends after the trip who are so much fun to be with and also share my love for the Lord. I was also surprised with Israel because I didn’t expect Israel to be so beautiful. I actually wanted to stay longer. 

Q: What are some of the things you learned from this trip?

A: How much walking people did during those times and how a camel could be a big blessing. Haha. Kidding aside, it’s amazing what Jesus went through and it really gave me a different perspective. It’s like experiencing the Bible in real life and walking where Jesus walked.

Q: Would you recommend others to join CCF’s Holy Land tour?

A: Yes. We were a lot in total but it was very, very organized. We also felt well taken cared of and safe. The trip also deepened my understanding of Jesus and the Bible. Overall, it’s a good experience to have, especially if you want to grow in your faith in Jesus.

Special thanks to our good friend Mike Vicencio  for most of the photos on this entry. Mor broke his camera during his Mt. Sinai climb and had to rely on the kind hearts of his friends who would take photos of him. Haha.

Wanna know more?

CCF organizes a Holy Land tour every year. Usually they start announcing it at the start of the year. You can check the official website  for announcements.

You can read my article about my own experience here . Or you can  read all the articles about both our trips to the Holy Land here.

(NOTE: THIS POST IS ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE LAST MAY 2016.)

Sheena sy gonzales.

Sheena is a travel writer, designer, homeschooling advocate, wife and a mom. She hopes to inspire people to go and see the beauty of God's creation first hand so that they will stand in awe and praise Him alone (and that includes the little ones!)

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Thanks Monique, I’ll definitely try!

This is a wonderful post. So informative and your photos are beautiful!

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Thank you glad you like it!

Hi Sheena, nice post! short and simple. May I ask if there are any free time in between tours or city? Any personal time for you to explore alone?

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Journey to the Holy Land 2024

February 25 - march 8, 2024.

Daily Itinerary

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Experiencing the Holy Land will forever change your understanding of scripture, bringing it to life in 3D and giving you Biblical context and clarity like you never imagined. We will travel the land of Old Testament greats- including Abraham, Joshua, King David, and the prophet Elijah — and you’ll never be the same after standing atop Mount Nebo, the very place where God showed Moses the sprawling Promised Land. Walking where Jesus walked during his New Testament ministry will leave you more spiritually alive than ever before. After visiting Israel, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll want to come back again, bringing every believer you know!

P.O. Box 118696 Carrollton, TX 75011 [email protected]

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Holy land pilgrimage: 10-day catholic holy land pilgrimage | 2024.

Join us on a 10-day Catholic Holy Land Pilgrimage, starting at $3198 * from New York, on the dates below. You will see Bethlehem, Shepherds’ Field, Bethany, Ein Karem, Qasr El Yehud, Wadi Qelt, Jericho, Qumran, Dead Sea, Cana, Nazareth, Mount of Precipice, the Basilica of the Annunciation, Galilee, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, the Church of the Fish and the Loaves, the Chapel of the Primacy, Magdala, Mount Tabor, the Church of the Transfiguration, Mount Carmel, Emmaus, Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, the Church of Pater Noster, walk the Palm Sunday Road, the Garden of Gethsemane and much more.

Celebrate Mass Daily when a Priest Travels

Register Early & Save $150 11 Months Prior to Departure $125 10 Months Prior to Departure $100 9 Months Prior to Departure $75 8 Months Prior to Departure $50 7 Months Prior to Departure $25 6 Months Prior to Departure Full deposit required. Savings deducted from balance.

$400 scholarships available for clergy traveling for the first time and $250 scholarships available for clergy spouses traveling for the first time! Send an e-mail to [email protected] to apply and confirm your eligibility.

What’s Included

• All Inclusive Pricing
• Breakfast and Dinner Daily
• Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
• Entrance and Program Fees
• First Class Hotels
• Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
• Guided Tours
• Hotel Gratuities
• International Airfare from NY
• Live Audio Headsets
• Overseas Airport Transfers
• Study Guide
• Administrative fees

^ Additional Baggage & Optional fees may apply.

† If air purchased through EO.

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Daily Itinerary

Day 1 usa to the holy land.

Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

Day 2 Welcome to the Holy Land

You will be welcomed to the Holy Land by our airport representative and transferred to your Bethlehem hotel. Enjoy dinner before retiring for the night.

Day 3 Bethlehem, Bethany & Ein Karem

In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace, which now resides in the world’s oldest functioning church (Luke 2:1-7). Celebrate Mass in Bethlehem and then gaze out over Shepherds’ Field, where the angels first proclaimed the Good News. Visit Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha.  Here, Jesus visited on several occasions and raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Travel to Ein Karem, the village where John the Baptist was born and the Virgin Mary visited Elizabeth prior to our Lord’s birth (Luke 1:26-40). Visit the Church of St. John, the birthplace of John the Baptist.

Day 4 Qasr El Yehud, Wadi Qelt, Jericho, Qumran & Dead Sea

Visit and renew your baptismal vows at the baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud, where tradition says Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Just off the Roman road that Jesus “walked” is the Wadi Qelt gorge, the site of the Monastery of St. George. Journey to Jericho (considered the oldest city in the world) to visit the ruins of the ancient city conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6:1). From Jericho, in the distance, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1). Celebrate Mass in the Church of the Good Shepherd in Jericho near a sycamore tree and remember Zacchaeus, who climbed a sycamore to see Jesus (Luke 18-19). Travel to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. End your day with the opportunity to take a dip in the mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.

Day 5 Cana, Nazareth & Mount of Precipice

Visit the Franciscan Wedding Church at Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, where He changed water into wine (John 2). Continue on to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23), and celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation. You will also see the House of the Holy Family, St. Joseph’s Workshop and St. Joseph’s Church (Luke 2:41-52; Matt. 2:19-23). Stand atop the Mount Precipice, where Luke describes how Jesus was rejected by those in the synagogue after He taught them. Filled with anger, they “led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong” (Luke 4: 29).

Day 6 The Galilee

Enjoy beautiful Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry, and visit the synagogue located on the site where Jesus taught (Matt. 4:13, 23). Sail across the Sea of Galilee, reflecting on the gospel stories of Jesus calming the storm. Listen to Jesus’ words from His Sermon on the Mount at the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5-7) and celebrate Mass at the Church of the Beatitudes. At Tabgha, the traditional location of the feeding of the 5,000, explore the Church of the Loaves and Fish (Luke 9:10-17). Take a moment to reflect and pray in the Chapel of the Primacy, where Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue.

Day 7 Mount Tabor, Mount Carmel & Emmaus

As you stand on Mount Tabor, contemplate what it must have been like for Saints Peter, James and John to behold the glory of the Transfigured Christ (Matt. 17:2). Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration. Continue on your journey to Mount Carmel, where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Biblically, Mount Carmel is referenced most often as a symbol of beauty and fertility.  To be given the “splendor of Carmel” was to be blessed indeed (Isa 35:2). In Emmaus, you’ll see the traditional site where Jesus appeared to two disciples after His resurrection. 

Day 8 Jerusalem

Be inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Jerusalem (“the Golden City”) as you stand on the Mount of Olives, the place from which Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:9-12). Visit the Church of Pater Noster, walk the Palm Sunday Road, stopping briefly at the tear-shaped Dominus Flevit Church, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.  Celebrate Mass in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before His crucifixion (Matt. 26:36-44). On Mount Zion, see the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was imprisoned the night of His arrest (Matt. 26:57-65). Nearby is the Upper Room, revered as the location of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26). Conclude your day by visiting the Church of the Dormition of Mary.

Day 9 Jerusalem & the Old City

Take time to pray at the Western Wall, which is all that remains of Herod’s Temple. Sit on the Teaching Steps where Jesus once taught. Take a leisurely stroll down the Cardo, the main street of the Old City, where modern shops stand between ancient ones.  View the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle of healing (John 5:1-31), and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne, renowned for its beautiful acoustics. At Herod’s Antonia Fortress, see where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and celebrate the Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Day 10 Depart on an extension or return to USA

Enhance your journey, wonders of petra & the dead sea extension starting from $1098.

Starting at $1,098*

Day 10 – Jerash This morning you will journey across the Allenby Bridge on your way to Jerash, one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world. Stroll through the oval piazza and wander along colonnaded streets etched by the wheels of ancient chariots. Stand in the grand theatre where an onstage whisper can be heard in the top row. Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 11 – Petra Begin your journey south towards Petra today. Explore the city of Petra. Its entrance passes through a long, narrow gorge known as the Siq and can only be accessed by carriage, horseback or on foot. Once inside the city, marvel at the intricate detail of a city that was cut into the cliff sides of rose-colored rock. Travel to your hotel at the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight.

Day 12 – Madaba & Mt. Nebo Travel to Madaba, the City of Mosaics, to visit the Church of Saint George with its sixth-century, Byzantine, mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites. Continue to Mount Nebo, where Moses caught a glimpse of the Promised Land (Deut. 34). On a clear day, you can see all the way across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 13 – Free Morning at the Dead Sea Enjoy a free morning at your hotel. Cross the border back into Israel and enjoy dinner in Jerusalem. Afterward, you will travel to the airport in Tel Aviv to begin your journey home.

Day 14 – Return to USA

Depart ure dates for Wonders of Petra & the Dead Sea extension January 3, 17 February 14, 21 March 20 October 30 November 6 December 4

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion. A minimum of 8 travelers are necessary to operate the extension. $138 for tips & taxes are charged separately (subject to change). *A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.

Cairo & the Route of the Exodus Extension Starting from $1298

Starting at $1,298*

Day 10 – Jerusalem to Egypt Travel in the footsteps of the Holy Family as you travel along the ancient caravan route from Jerusalem to the Sinai desert. Cross the border and check into your hotel for dinner and rest. Day 11 – St. Catherine’s Monastery This morning, you can opt to climb Mount Sinai (conditions permitting), where tradition says that Moses received the Ten Commandments.  Everyone will experience a visit to fortified St. Catherine’s Monastery, built in the 6th century and one of the oldest working monasteries in the world with the world’s oldest continually operating library.  Both the Codex Sinaiticus and Syriac Sinaiticus, important early Biblical manuscripts, were discovered here.  Even Muhammad found refuge at the monastery, and the site is sacred to all three monotheistic religions. Remember the story of Moses and the burning bush, which tradition places inside the monastery. Continue to Sharm el Sheikh for dinner and overnight at your hotel located on the shores of the Red Sea. Day 12 – Route of the Exodus Trace the route of the Exodus 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 two-night stay. Day 13 – Memphis, Saqqara, the Great Pyramids & the Sphinx Tour the rural region of traditional Egyptian farming. Travel as Abraham did to Memphis (Biblical Noph) and on to Saqqara, where you will see the Step Pyramid, the world’s oldest stone structure. See the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Day 14 – Cairo This morning, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to view the unique collection of Pharaonic art and the renowned treasures of King Tutankhamun. Tour the Old City and see the Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 AD, and view the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali. In Old Cairo, visit the Abu Serga Church built over the traditional site of the house where the Holy Family lived during their stay in Egypt. Prepare for your return flight home. Day 15 – Return to the USA

Departure dates for Cairo & the Route of the Exodus Extension January 17 February 14, 21 March 20 October 30 November 6 December 4 Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion. A minimum of 10 travelers are necessary to operate the extension. $158 for tips & taxes are charged separately (subject to change). *A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.

Nile Cruise Extension Starting from $2898

Starting at $2,898*

Day 10 – Jerusalem to Mount Sinai Travel in the footsteps of the Holy family as you travel along the ancient caravan route from Jerusalem to the Sinai desert. Cross the border and check into your hotel at Sharm el Sheikh for dinner and rest.  Day 11 – St. Catherine’s Monastery This morning, you can opt to climb Mount Sinai, where tradition says that Moses received the Ten Commandments. Everyone will experience a visit to the fortified St. Catherine’s Monastery, built in the 6th century, and one of the oldest working monasteries in the world with the world’s oldest continually operating library. Both the Codex Sinaiticus and Syriac Sinaiticus, important early Biblical manuscripts, were discovered here. Even Muhammed found refuge at the monastery, and the site is sacred to all three monotheistic religions. Remember the story of Moses and the burning bush that tradition places inside the monastery. Continue to Sharm el Sheikh for dinner and overnight at your hotel on the shores of the Red Sea. Day 12  – Free Day in Sharm el Sheikh Enjoy a free day to relax in your resort by the beach in Sharm el Sheikh. Day 13 – Luxor This morning, fly to Luxor and transfer to your Nile cruise ship. Ancient Thebes served as the Egyptian capital during the New Kingdom and the time of Moses. Visit the magnificent Temple of Luxor with its avenue of sphinx statues and mighty monumental columns. Continue to the Karnak Temple, which took over 2,000 years to build and is the largest religious building ever constructed, and see the famed Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III, the temple of Amon, the Granite Scarabeus and the Sacred Lake. Dinner and overnight on board Day 14 – Valley of the Kings and Queens This morning, enjoy the sunrise over the Nile River before your visit to the Valley of the Kings. Tombs were constructed here for the kings and powerful nobles of Egypt for nearly 500 years. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (modern Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. See the Colossi of Memnon, made of sandstone brought from Gabal El Silselah. Each colossus, including the pedestal and the crown, is about 21 meters tall and represents King Amenhotep III. See the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of only a handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs. Enjoy lunch onboard as you sail through the Esna locks. The ship arrives in Edfu this evening. Dinner and overnight on board. Day 15 – Edfu Visit the Edfu Temple on the west bank of the Nile. Dating to the Ptolemaic period, the temple was dedicated to the worship of the god Horus, represented as a falcon. It is one of the most beautiful Egyptian temples, distinguished by its huge splendid structure blending Pharaonic and Greek architecture. Enjoy scenic cruising to Kom Ombo and visit the Kom Ombo Temple. Built on a hillside, this temple was constructed in the Ptolemaic Roman era for the worship of the gods Haroeris and Sobek. It is noted for the relief engravings on its walls which show ancient surgical tools, bone saws and dentistry tools. Nearby, view the three mummified crocodiles in Hathor’s chapel. Dinner and overnight on board. Day 16 – Aswan Cruise to Aswan, where you will sail on a smaller boat across the Nile to visit the temples at Philae, including the Temple of Isis, one of the greatest Temples in Egypt, occupying a quarter of the island. Next, visit the High Dam, one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the twentieth century. It was constructed to replace the old Aswan dam built in 1902. The 3600-meter-long dam was constructed to protect Egypt from the floods as well as provide irrigation and electricity to its citizens. View the Unfinished Obelisk made of red granite brought from the quarries of Aswan. Lunch and dinner onboard. 

Day 17 – Egyptian Museum, the Great Pyramids & the Sphinx Depart Aswan by plane and head to Cairo. Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to view the unique collection of Pharaonic art and the renowned treasures of King Tutankhamun. Continue for a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Day 18 – Cairo Tour the Old City and see the Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 AD, and view the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammed Ali. In Old Cairo, visit the Abu Serge Church built over the traditional site of the house where the Holy Family lived during their stay in Egypt. Enjoy some time to rest as your prepare for your return flight home. Day 19 – Return to the USA

Departure dates for the Nile Cruise Extension January 17 February 14, 21 March 20 October 30 November 6

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion. A minimum of 10 travelers are necessary to operate the extension. $168 for tips & taxes are charged separately (subject to change). *A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.

Departure Dates

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Holy Land – Moscow & St. Petersburg

HOLY LAND – MOSCOW & ST. PETERSBURG

08 – 22 October 2017

SUBSCRIPTION PRISE : …………..,                    Single Room : extra fee of 500 U.S. Dollars.

Deposit of 500 U.S. Dollars must be payed until July 2, 2017 for air tickets reservations & Hotel in Moscow.

Deposit of 1.500 U.S. Dollars must be payed until August 2, 2017.

Total payment: September 2, 2017.

INFORMATION – SUBSCRIPTION : T.I.T.A. TRAVEL (Mrs. Fotini Tazoglou)

Tel.: +30/2310/656544, Fax: +30/2310/656513. Cel:  +30/6948-089790.

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.tita-travel.com

Bank of Pireos. Bic : PIRBGRAA                             Account No. 5271 – 053842-919

IBAN: GR37 0172 2710 0052 7105 3842 919          Beneficiar: Tazoglou Fotini.

• IMPORTANT NOTE: The Tour Leader & the Guide have the right, if there is a need for better service, to change the order of the itinerary or the times without removing any of the mentioned places.

Price includes:

• Visa to Moscow issued prior to the trip in Chicago.
• Hotel Ismailovo Best Western Vega Hotel (4 stars) in Moscow, with Breakfast & 1 meal (usual dinner). (3 overnights)
• Hotel Vedensky (4 stars) in St. Petersburg, with Breakfast & 1 meal (usual dinner). (3 overnights)
• Taxes for Hotels in Moscow & St. Petersburg.
• Hotel Ron Beach (4 stars) in Tiberias with Breakfast & 1 meal (usual dinner). (2 overnights)
• Hotel Gloria (4 stars) in Old City of Jerusalem with Breakfast & 1 meal (usual dinner). (5 overnights)
• Tour Leader during the whole trip / Pilgrimage.
• Guidance from Rev. Archim. Aristovoulos in the Holy Land / Local Guide in Moscow / Local Guide in St. Petersburg.
• Entrance to all Museums mentioned in the Program.
• Entrance to the Holy Site of the Ascension.
• Transportation with Luxury buses according to itinerary.
• Local Mini Buses for transportation to Saint Sabba Monastery in Judean Desert.
• Mini Vans of 10 passengers for transportation to the top of Mount Tabor.
• Cable Car in Mount of Temptation in Jericho.
• Boatride in Tiberias.
• Tips for the drivers, guides, hotel & restaurant employees.
• Air-tickets. / Airport Taxes.
• Air-Tickets Lufthansa Air Chicago => Frankfurt (08/10/2017)
• Air-Tickets Lufthansa Air Frankfurt => Moscow (09/10/2017)
• Air-Tickets Utair Air Moscow => St. Petersburg (12/10/2017)
• Air-Tickets Aeroflot Air St. Petersburg => Tel Aviv (15/10/2017)
• Air-Tickets Lufthansa Air Tel Aviv => Munich (22/10/2017)
• Air-Tickets Lufthansa Air Munich => Chicago (22/10/2017)

Price does not include:

• Anything optional / Lunches at the restaurants that are not covered by T.I.T.A. / entrances to museums or other sites that are not mentioned above.

Cancelation Fees:

• Cancelation until July 3, 2017, is possible with the deposit refundable.
• Cancelation from July 4 until August 3, 2017, both the deposits are not refundable.
• Cancelation from August 4, 2017, the whole payment is not refundable.

YOUR PASSPORT MUST EXPIRE AFTER APRIL 30, 2018.

T.I.T.A. TRAVEL wishes you a pleasant trip and a Blessed Pilgrimage.

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Miracles of the Mother of God. Syria

In these terrible times, we must not forget to pray to the Theotokos with tears for the people of Syria, just as Orthodox Christians before us prayed in times of danger.

One example of this was celebrated last Sunday (September 1)--the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God, before whom medieval Russians prayed in the face of sure annihilation.

During the very hour that the people were meeting the Vladimir icon, Tamerlane lay sleeping in his tent. He saw a vision of saintly hierarchs with golden staffs descending from a high mountain, and a radiant Lady in the air above them, surrounded by angels and dazzling rays of light. Tamerlane woke up in fear. His soothsayers warned him that the Woman whom he had seen in the vision was the Protectress of the Orthodox, the Mother of the Christian God, and that her power is invincible. Tamerlane was so shaken by the vision that he swiftly departed, swooping down upon the steppe-cities of the Golden Horde, who had caused the Russians no little trouble. Tamerlane crippled them, effectively curing Russia of their threat.

Later, in 1521, the khan of Kazan, Mehmad-Girey, advanced toward Moscow with Kazan and Nogay Tartars. Metropolitan Varlaam prayed with the people before the Vladimir Icon. Grand Duke Vasiliy Ivanovich barely managed to gather enough soldiers to meet the Tartars at the kingdom’s border, near the Oka River. He was slowly retreating to Moscow, trying hard to hold ranks.

On the night of the siege, a nun in a Moscow convent had a vision, which she related to the people, warning them that they must pray hard to the Mother of God to avert disaster. All the citizens of Moscow gathered in the church for a heartfelt prayer. The Tartars again saw a vision of “a huge regiment in shining armor,” and ran away from the walls of the city.

Other icons of the Mother of God that are celebrated in Russia are the Kazan icon, before which Russian forces prayed when they took Kazan from the Moslem Tatars; the Smolensk icon, which saved the western lands from an attack by the Poles, and the Albazin icon, which protected Russia’s eastern borders from the Chinese.

Russians also celebrate an event that occurred in Constantinople, when the Byzantine capital was saved from... the Russians!

In October, 910 Constantinople, was under siege by the pre-Christian, barbarian Russians. The situation was desperate. The citizens gathered in the Blachernae church and prayed to the Holy Mother of God. After the Virgin's robe, brought to Byzantine from Palestine, was cast into the sea, a storm rose up, driving the pagan ships away.

After a Greek uprising, when the Turks began to attack Mt. Athos, the Mother of God preserved her Holy Mountain. It has also become a tradition in monasteries all over the world to keep an icon of the Mother of God over the gates as protection.

For many centuries, Syrian Christians have been graced with the Saidnaya icon Mother of God, kept in the monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God in the village of Saidnaya. Countless miracles have been wrought through prayer before this icon, but we recount here one that happened as recently as the year 2004. It is a story that, if it had not been broadcast on the major TV channels in the Middle East, would certainly be hard to believe, even after reading about her intercessions throughout the Christian East. Here is an account of that miracle compiled by Archimandrite Nectarios (Serfes):

Some years ago, this man married a Moslem woman who was very rich, but sterile. As the years passed, and despite all their efforts and significant medical expenses with many doctors, they remained childless. The man's parents suggested to him that he marry a second woman, while upholding his initial marriage (as the local laws permits up to four concurrent marriages).

Being exhausted, worried, and downhearted, he did not accept his parents' advice but rather chose to vacation with his wife in Syria. There they hired a limousine with a driver who would serve as tour guide for all their site-seeing excursions throughout Syria. As the vacation progressed, the driver noticed that the Saudi Arabian couple was experiencing bitterness, pain, and grief. Having gained familiarity with the couple, the driver cautiously asked them whey they appeared to be so unhappy--was it perhaps because he was not conducting the tour to their satisfaction?

The couple confided to the driver that the source of their unhappiness was their inability to have children. The driver who was also a Moslem, then told them that in Syria the Christians, specifically the Orthodox Christians, have a monastery named Panagia Saidnaya (Arabic word meaning Our Lady) and that many people who can't have children take refuge in Her miracle-working icon. They go to the monastery, and there they are given to eat the wick form the lamp which burns before the miraculous icon. And then the "Mary" of the Christians grants them, according to their faith, what they wish.

Becoming excited, the Saudi Arabian and his wife asked the driver to take them to the "Saidnaya" monastery of "The Lady of the Christians" and said that if we have a child, then I will come back and I will give you 20,000 U.S. dollars, and I will give the monastery 80,000. So they went to the monastery and did as they were instructed. Later they returned to their homeland and after some time, his wife was found pregnant. In a few months she gave birth to a charming baby boy. It was truly a miracle of Our Lady Theotokos.

Now, as soon as his wife gave birth, the Saudi Arabian man wanted to return to Syria to uphold the promises he had made. Upon his return he called the same driver and asked to be picked up at the Damascus airport. But the driver was cunning and wicked and he persuaded two of his friends to go to the airport with him to pick up the rich Saudi Arabian man, to take his money and kill him. So they picked up the rich man at the airport and he, as they drove, without realizing that they had planned to kill him, told the friends of the driver that he would give them also 10,000 US dollars each.

These men, still not satisfied, deviated from the route to the monastery and went to a deserted place, proceeded to slay the Saudi Arabian man, and to cut off his head and other parts (hands and legs) of his body into pieces. Blinded by passion and overcome by the horrific act that they just committed, they put the man's remains in the trunk of the car rather than just leaving him there. After taking his money, watch, and all that he had, they proceeded to find another deserted place to discard the remains.

Then, on the National highway, their car broke down and stopped in the middle of that road. The three men got out to determine why the engine had stalled. Then a passerby stopped to help them but they, afraid that their terrible act would be discovered, pretended that they did not need any help. But as the passerby motorist was leaving, he noticed blood dripping from the rear of the vehicle and he called the police to investigate, because the scene and the three men looked suspicious. The police came and saw the blood under the car and on the pavement, so they ordered that the trunk be opened.

The Saudi Arabian went to a medical facility to undergo examination by doctors and medical examiners who confirmed and attested that the stitching was done very recently, thereby validating the miraculous event. The stitches were, and still are, obvious. When the Saudi Arabian came out of the car's trunk, he had the appearance, literally, of just having been refabricated (put back together) to which he continuously confessed that the PANAGIA had rejoined his body and resurrected him with the help of her Son.

Immediately after this, the Saudi Arabian called his relatives to come to Syria. They all went together to the monastery of Panagia Saidnaya and offered up prayers, praises, and glorification, and instead of the initially promised gift of $80,000 he gave $800,000 to the Theotokos.

Today, as this man relates the details of that overwhelming miracle, he starts his narration with, "When I was a Moslem this happened to me", thus indicating he is no longer a Moslem, nor is his family.

This miracle stunned with awesome surprise the entire Arabic/Moslem nation and all of the Middle East.

Let us Orthodox Christians never neglect to pray to the Mother of God for protection against all evil. And let us witness to those Christians who are not Orthodox, who do not revere and pray to God’s most holy and ever pure Mother, that she is indeed our Protectress in times of need.

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