Palestine of Jesus 2016 Flyer

The aims of Palestine of Jesus:

* To explore the Holy Land as Christian pilgrims by integrating academic biblical study with theological and spiritual reflection;

* To study the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and explore the historical contexts and cultures of the land where Jesus’ ministry began;

* To explore the roots and traditions of the Christian faith as they were formed in the Holy Land;

* To engage with the local Christian community, and to explore the contemporary issues in Israel/Palestine and to reflect theologically on these issues;

* To develop methods for sharing with others the experience of the Holy Land, its problems and hopes.

Course Description

Palestine of Jesus is the foundational course of St George’s College and is the best introduction to the Holy Land.

Palestine of Course is a pilgrimage course focusing upon the key events in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the sacred landscapes in which they take place, often referred to as the Fifth Gospel. During the course, we will visit major sites of Jesus’ life and ministry such as Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee and the Judean Desert. Along with the emphasis of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, the course traces the Jerusalem Passion Narratives including visits to the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Way of the Cross and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, containing the traditional sites of the Crucifixion (Calvary) and the Resurrection (the Tomb of Christ). The overarching goal of the course is to introduce course members to the biblical geography of sacred scripture, focusing primarily on the life of Christ.

Responsible Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land necessitates close attention to the contemporary religious, political and culture context of the region. Focus upon the Bible and the life and ministry of Jesus calls us to be informed about the social, political and religious contexts of the region. Along with the stones of the ancient past, we will meet the ‘Living Stones’ of the Holy Land, beginning with the local Christian community. We will also hear voices of Palestinians and Israelis — Jews, Christians and Muslims — as they struggle for peace and justice in the land.
The course best embodies the college mission statement: An Anglican community of education, hospitality, pilgrimage, hospitality and reconciliation. Through study, site visits, engaging the local Christian community, prayer and reflection, lives are transformed and faith renewed.  Palestine of Jesus facilitates the Christian’s encounter with the Holy Land by walking ‘in the footsteps of Jesus’ while consciously participating in the centuries-old traditions of Christian pilgrimage to Palestine.  Palestine of Jesus is both a spiritual pilgrimage (i.e., an experience in prayer, reflection and worship) and a study course in Christian formation. Historical, biblical and theological interpretation take place in various ways — at the college, on the bus, on the sites and in personal conversation..  The course seeks to foster both the individual experience and sacredness of short-term Christian community.

Our course team include the course leader, a course chaplain, a minister of hospitality and other staff and guest speakers

 The 8-Day option

The 8-day option still visits the major sites of Jesus’ life and ministry such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee and the Judean Desert. The course includes a 2-day, 1-night excursion to the Galilee. The course may not include Caesarea Philippi nor a boat ride on the Galilee. Some local sites in Jerusalem may also be omitted. This is some variation with every course. Some attention is given to encounter local Christians and discussion the contemporary context of the Holy Land. The course does not include the optional daytrip to Masada, Qumran and the Dead Sea.

As a general rule, there is no program following the 19:00 dinner.

 For a sample of an 8-day itinerary, please click here

The 10-Day option

The 10-day option visits most of the key New Testament sites and includes the full 3-day, 2-night excursion to the Galilee. A day trip to Nazareth is also included. Sites, such as Caesarea Maritima and the Church of Jacob’s Well in Nablus, are often omitted. There is some variation with every course. The course may consist of less guest speakers as the 14-day option, and there is slightly less attention devoted to the contemporary context of the Holy Land. The course may also include less free time. The 10-day option does not include the optional day trip to Masada, Qumran and the Dead Sea.

 As a general rule, there is no program following the 19:00 dinner.
 For a sample of a 10-day itinerary, please click here

The 14-Day option

The 14-day option provides the most comprehensive introduction to the Holy Land, including the essential key New Testament sites. The course includes a 3-day, 2-night excursion to the Galilee as well as an additional day trip to Nazareth. The 14-day option occasionally includes Caesarea Maritima and the Church of Jacob’s Well in Nablus. There is some variation with every course. The 14-day course also allows the most engagement with contemporary issues.  Along with an occasional half-day break, the course also includes an optional day trip to Masada, Qumran and the Dead Sea for an additional cost of $100 USD.

As a general rule, there is no program following the 19:00 dinner.
For a sample of a 14-day itinerary, please click here