Cana the place of Miracles

Painting of wine pots - Franciscan Wedding Church, Cana

Location of Cana 

Closer to the town of Nazareth in the northern region of Galilee- Israel there is a small village exist and its name used to be "Cana" and presently it is known as Kafr Kanna meaning "village of Cana". 

Passage to lower level of Franciscan Wedding Church

First Miracle

During Jesus' time there took place a marriage and Jesus' mother Mary lived in Nazareth was already attending to it and Jesus was also invited to the marriage. During the feast wine that being served ran out and the host was in difficulty. Realizing the embarassment, Mary told her son "they have no more wine". Why do you involve me Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come". Mother instead of pleading to son asked the servants "Do what ever he tells you".

One of the six big stone jars that converted water in to wine - Site Excavation

There were six big stone jars placed near by and Jesus said to the servants to "Fill the jars with water" so they did and he then asked the servants to "draw some out and take to the master of the banquet" 

Old vessels of various dates - Excavation findings at Franciscan Church

The master of the banquet tasted it and realized it was wine but he did not know from where it had come, however the servants knew about it. The master said to the bridegroom "Every one brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guest have had too much to drink, but you have saved the best till now " such was the quality of the wine the master had tasted. 

Old cisterns and other remnants excavated - Franciscan Church

This turning water in to wine was the first miraculous signs Jesus performed in Cana. He thus revealed his glory and his disciples put their faith in Him.

Excavation findings - Franciscan Church, Cana

The story is said in the Bible (John 2: 1-11) but the exact location where the event had taken place is disputed, but traditionally the most accepted and venerated place is in Kafr Kanna. A narrow gully branching from the main road that leads to Tiberius, takes you to a beautiful Franciscan church.

Franciscan Wedding Church, Cana

Wedding Churches

Inspired by the miracle of wine couples from all over the world reach here for getting married or for renewing wedding vows to strengthen their existing marriage. The church has a lower level where the excavations are exposed and articles derived from excavations like wine press, cisterns and vessels of various dates are preserved here. An old stone jar said to be one of the six jars used to transform water in to wine is also exhibited there. 

St. George Orthodox Wedding Church, Cana

Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, Cana  is located in the same site just opposite to the Franciscan Church. Orthodox Christians from different parts of the world arrive here to get married as well. Both of these churches are known as the "Wedding Churches of Cana". Two large stone jars believed to be the jars used during the first miracle are also exhibited here. 

The narrow gully separating Franciscan and Orthodox Wedding Churches

Both the Franciscan and Orthodox Churches are located on the same place on either sides of the small gully. Excavations and geographical evidences stand in favor of this site where the first miracle took place.

St. George Orthodox Wedding Church, Cana

Wedding wines

Wedding Wine for shopping

Tourists in large number visit here in Kafr Kanna (Kafr Cana) every year. On the streets there are plenty of shops selling "Wedding wines" to take home for the friends and family. It is sweet red wine bottled in regular and small bottles. They sell varieties of good quality wines. Wine making is traditional business in Cana and nearby places.

Second Miracle in Cana

Healing of the son of a noble man (Roman centurion) was the second miracle Jesus did in Cana. (John 4: 46 -54) Noble man pleaded to Jesus for saving the life of his son who was at the point of death. Jesus upon seeing the belief of the noble man said to him "go home your son lives". The man believed the word of Jesus and reached home to see his son lived. The noble man along with his whole house there after believed in Jesus. This is not to be confused with the second miracle of Jesus but this was the second miracle Jesus performed in Cana. These two signs given in Cana created a new nation of believers for Jesus in whole of Galilee.

Bottle brush flowers - on the pavements of Cana 

Sea of Galilee

"Sea of Galilee" at dawn from the balcony of hotel Solomon, Tiberius

It used to be my food for thought why did Jesus choose the sea of Galilee (Capernaum) to start his ministry when he was brought up in Nazareth. I am now convinced after seeing Galilee with my own eyes there could have been no better place on earth than Galilee for launching a mission that changed the history of the mankind.

View of "Sea of Galilee"

Galilee is peaceful and tranquil; it attracted me the most because of its rustic nature existed until today. Even though there are several high mountains in the region including Mount Tabor and Mount Meron, the sea of Galilee is surrounded by gentile lower hills. We visited the place in April; the climate during the time was very pleasant with a mischievous breeze blowing on to your face almost continuously. The sea was relatively calm, looking deep blue in color and making small ripples over the water. Strolling through the sea shore and resting for a while on the rocks at the Primacy of St. Peter in a tranquil atmosphere transported me altogether to a new world of ecstasy. 

"Sea of Galilee" from Tiberius. View at dawn

True, Sea of Galilee is not a sea; it is a lake at 209 meters below sea level and it is the lowest fresh water lake on earth. Jordan river which begins with several streams of water flowing from Mount Hermon in Lebanon, fills the sea of Galilee and flows down to dead sea at the south end of Israel. 

Sea of Galilee" viewed from the balcony of hotel Solomon in Tiberius at the dawn

North shore of the "Sea of Galilee" is important for a Christian visitor where Capernaum, Mount Beatitude, Tabgha and Primacy of St. Peter are located. The so called sea is also quoted in Bible as the Lake of Gennesaret or Sea of Tiberias, Ginnosar, Sea of Chinneroth etc.

Capernaum - entrance to the synagogue and the house of Peter.

Capernaum

Also known as Bethsaida was in existence long before Jesus Christ chose the place to establish his ministry here. It is located on the shore of Sea of Galilee and a huge population lived here once upon a time, most of them were engaged in fishing from "Sea of Galilee". 

Peter statue near the "house of Peter" - Capernaum

According to Bible this is the place where Jesus healed the centurion's son (Mathew 8:5), the noble man's son (John 4:46), Simon Peter's mother in law (Mark 1:31) and the paralytic (Mathew 9:1), cast out unclean spirit (Mark 1:23)

Ruins of Jesus' Synagogue

Probably it is here Jesus raised Jairu's daughter to life (Mark 5:22). While here in the Synagogue Jesus delivered the discourses on the bread of life (John 6). When Jesus finally departed Nazareth, he spent most of his time here in Capernaum.

House of peter locates beneath the new church seen near the ruins of the old town ship

There could have been many other activities during a period of 3 years he lived here but I am quoting only few of the important incidents that I remember. Considering to reading of gospels Capernaum was a city of considerable importance. 

Red domed white color Greek orthodox church on the bank of "Sea of Galilee"

This vast area of land is now owned by two churches. Franciscans control the west with ruins of Jesus' Synagogue and the house of Peter. Greek Orthodox owns a large area with a church that has red domes. It is believed this was the large fisher men village as it remains closer to the sea, however the area still remains unexcavated.

Beatitude church is built at the down hill closer to the bank of "Sea of Galilee".
Shot from the church side

Mount Beatitude

Jesus started his ministry at this point by delivering the sermon on the mount as per gospels of Mathew 5 and Luke 6. Sermon on the mount has become the focal point for understanding principals of Christianity. 

"Church of Beatitude" - Garden

Church of Beatitude, spot from where
"sermon on the mount" was delivered

Byzantines built a church at the foot hills in close proximity to the sea and the present church is a make over of the older church. The view of the sea of Galilee from this vantage point is unique and breath taking.

Whole Capernaum is shaped like a bowl, the sea of Galilee being in the center and surrounding lower hills gradually ascending upwards. This could have been a favorite phenomenon for the fisher men living on the banks of the sea to climb up the open hill and attend the sermons given by Jesus.


My personal opinion upon seeing the area is the natural amphitheater effect existing in the area even today would have been enough for Jesus to audibly orate 
to the large number of people (4000 to 5000) with 

Roman amphitheater - similar to the Ariel 
view of "Sea of Galilee" the arena being
the  lake and the gallery seats being
the terressed hills of Capernaum.
Internet download

out any modern speaker system. It is true, if you moderately sound from the Beatitude church you can hear up to the bank of the sea which is over 200 meters below. 

This is what the people have heard from Jesus as the sermon on the mount (Mathew 5)

Sermon on the mount

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
• Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall  see God.
• Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called sons of God.
• Blessed are those who are persecuted  for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely on my account.
• Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is- great, for in this same way people persecuted prophets who were before you.

Church of Multitude at Tabgha

Church of Multitude at Tabgha

Symbol of two fish and 4 loaf of bread at the
church of multiplication in Tabgha

Tabgha is not far from Capernaum, it is the place where Jesus fed 5000 people with 2 fishes and 5 loves of bread. The church located here is known as the Church of Multiplication, a simple beautiful church. one of the main high lights of the church are its restored 5th century mosaics. 

The symbol of the church is a mosaic panel showing 2 fishes and 4 pieces of Arabic bread in a basket. The miracle of the multiplication is written in all the four gospels alike. 

Mensa Christi - the "table of Christ" in side
the church Primacy of St. Peter

Primacy of St. Peter

A rock projected inside the Altar of the church of the Primacy of St. Peter is venerated as Mensa Christi; Latin for "table of Christ". It is believed this is the rock on which Jesus prepared the break fast for his Apostles on the third day after he had resurrected.  

Another beautiful event we enjoyed was the ship cruise we took from this shore through the Sea of Galilee. The cruise gave us ample chances to glance through the spectacular landscapes in the surroundings of the sea.

Our ship ready out there waiting for us

The Sea shore mostly were the fisher men village. Fishing used to be the occupation of the people here. Sardines and Tilapia are the two main fish found here. Tilapia is said to be the Peter's fish. 

Visiting "Sea of Galilee" was a dream come true experience. We continued our tour from here to another location and on the way we ate our lunch in the neighborhood having Peter's fish as our main menu.

Peters fish (Tilapia)

  

Madaba the Mosaic City of Jordan

Completed Mosaic panel at the work shop displaying Jesus in company of children

I have learned through friends while in Jordan I shouldn't miss visiting Madaba the Mosaic city and the Petra. Well, now I am in Madaba and first leg our journey to the holy land start from here. The city lies in the east bank of river Jordan. Madaba is well known for its Byzantine mosaic art. It has a long history, according to the bible at the time of the Exodus it was an Amorite town close to Moab border (Numbers 21:30; Joshua 13:9) Madaba was then occupied by Israelite and later it was frequently changed hands. The city was ruined by war and natural calamities over thousands of years. 

An out standing wall hanging work of Mosaic craft

Later during 5th century when Christians started occupying the city they excavated early mosaics remnants from the ruins. It was then understood mosaics were lavishly used on the building floors and walls as decoration during the time. Making of mosaic there fore was an ancient art and existed in Madaba from the time immemorial.   

Social set up of Jordan

Jordanians live in a relatively secular society. I have quite a few Jordanian Muslim friends, majority of them identify them selves as liberals. They consider religious practices should be a private matter that must be differentiated from social and political life. Majority of Jordanian population is Sunny Muslims, though there are few other minorities and Christians forms a sizable percentage. Unlike other states they live in harmony in the neighborhood with mutual respect and I was given to understanding they even marry inter religion particularly between Muslims and Christians.

Young olive trees flowered in Madaba

Jordanian Olives 

Olive is easily grown in Jordan and they have a saying Olive trees are planted for the children just as the ancestors did for the present generation. 

Mosaic map of Holy land on the cathedral floor

Olive trees seldom dies easily, there are very many trees in Jordan ages one thousand years and above. The oldest trees I have seen are the olives of Gethsemane garden. Older the trees better is the quality they say because best quality olives and oil come from the trees 40 years old and above.

Mosaic Map of Madaba

A large 6th century Byzantine-era mosaic map of Holy land was discovered accidentally in 1897 while renovating the old church for Greek Orthodox Christians. The map measuring about 25 square meter (according to church authorities the present panel is only one fourth of the original which was of 94 square meters in size) is a unique piece of art. 

It represents a topographical view of the biblical land from Egypt to Lebanon, including Sinai, Palestine and Jordan keeping Jerusalem as the center of attraction of the map. The mosaic map still serves as floor of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Madaba which is closely situated to the Madaba visitors center.

Mosaic workshops of Madaba

Resurrection of Jesus,
my favorite mosaic panel

We then visited a mosaic workshop where the artisans painstakingly add mosaic stones one after other to a sketched outline. These multicolored stones are expensive and they come mostly from Petra. The artisans cut the stones with cutting pliers and paste them rough side up on to the cotton. These are then set in concrete and flipped over so that smooth surface faces up. The artisans have undergone at least three year training on how to set these panels. 


Mosaic school of Madaba

Madaba known as the city of mosaics, runs a regular Mosaic school, started by the Italians for training local Jordanians to restore ancient mosaics found in Jordan as well as to train them in traditional and computer aided modern methods of mosaic production.

Mosaic pottery on display

The students of the school are able to take university bachelor degree in archaeology with a two years extended study (lately I am given to understanding this opportunity is withheld for the time being, interested personnel are advised to contact school directly). We have been able to visit one of their workshops and watch their exquisite skill of craftsmanship in mosaic making. They produce mosaic panels smaller to very large ones and you can buy them at the workshop or at so many souvenir shops found in Madaba if you do not consider the cost. 

Blue wall hanging plates on display - Hand painted

Foods of Jordan

If you do not leave Jordan heavier, there is something wrong with you, such irresistible is their food. Multi cuisine extravaganza is the spread; you really cannot be bothered if you are a weight watcher. Hummus, Falafel, Tabouleh, Mautabel, Kofta, Mixed grill are some of my favorites. 

Grilled mixed meat

A green drink of lime in mint is refreshing. Wine is also available in plenty. Well, thinking of fruits, they are in abundance. We eat three meals in Jordan, dinner and breakfast at Hotel Tulip where we stayed located close to Queen Alia International Airport and the lunch of course in Madaba itself. No words to explain the quality of these foods. 

The green drink - lime in mint,
an internet picture

Sorry, I am an ardent lover of Jordanian,Turkish and Lebanon foods; habit formed because of my long stay in gulf countries. Do not leave Jordan with out picking few packets of authentic Jordanian sweets like Kunafa, Baklava etc for the home. 

Hummus - olive oil and lime in chickpeas paste,
an internet picture

Madaba is a must see place while in Jordan and it lies close to Mount Nebo, a place of great religious significance from where Moses first glimpsed the promised land and is said to be his final resting place although it is controversial.