A Lenten Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

February 9 – February 20, 2010

The Temple Mount Led by the Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, bishop of Maryland

Local Guide and Instructor: Canon Iyad Qumri, St. George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem
Daily Meditations led by Bishop Sutton

Click on the links below to jump to information on this page

Join me on a Lenten Pilgrimage...

The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton In September 2006, I led 30 pilgrims from across the nation on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was a deeply moving experience for all of us, and it became a landmark for our personal spiritual journeys. We also made many new friendships in that beautiful and troubled land, establishing relationships that have lasted long after the pilgrims returned.

Making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is an experience that can transform your faith. A lifetime of study, prayer and reflection on the words and works of Jesus can suddenly come alive in fresh ways as you journey through the significant places of our Lord’s earthly ministry.

In this pilgrimage, we will visit ancient sites on both sides of the Jordan River. On Ash Wednesday we will prepare ourselves for a Holy Lent by going to the wilderness where Jesus was tempted. We will pray the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem, walking the ancient way of Christ to his death and resurrection. More urgently, we will learn more about the roots of conflict in the Holy Land, and establish deeper ties with our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, seeking ways for our Diocese to partner with them in their important ministry of reconciliation in that region. I hope that you will consider joining me on this pilgrimage!

+Eugene
Bishop, Diocese of Maryland

Back to top

Our Itinerary

TUE, FEB 9,
Depart Dulles International Airport 9:55 p.m., Air France connecting in Paris to Amman, Jordan.

WED, FEB 10, DAY 1: ARRIVE QUEEN ALIA AIRPORT / TRANSFER TO AMMAN
7:10 p.m. Arrive on AF #3886, Meet and assist, transfer to your hotel in Amman
Overnight at the Ramada Hotel in Amman (D)

THU, FEB 11, DAY 2: PETRA
After breakfast, full-day tour to the Red Rose City Petra. Upon arrival you will begin an unforgettable trip on horseback to the Siq and by foot walk through the Siq to the Treasury. The local guide will give a brief history. The Nabateans carved this capital of theirs from the living rock of the surrounding mountains in Petra. Among other monuments to visit today are Pharaoh's Castle, the Triumphal arch, the Amphitheater and Monastery. Return to Ramada Hotel in Amman for dinner and overnight (B,L,D)

FRI, FEB 12, DAY 3: MT. NEBO / MADABA / SCHNELLER
After breakfast drive the King’s Highway to Madaba to visit the unique Byzantine Mosaics map of the holy places. Continue to Mount Nebo with its spectacular view of the Holy Land. Lunch in Madaba. This afternoon we meet with Fr. George Kireh, visit the rope garden and tour the school at Schneller. We will have Dinner at the Schneller School with locals. Overnight at the Ramada Hotel Amman (B,L,D)

St. George's Guesthouse at St. Geroge's Cathedral, Jerusalem. SAT, FEB 13, DAY 4: JOFEH / BAPTISMAL SITE / JERUSALEM
Jofeh Rehabilitation Center in the Jordan Valley, visit the Baptismal site, continue to Hussein Bridge (Allenby) to cross the River Jordan into the West Bank. Meet our guide Canon Iyad Qumri, and visit Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Dead Sea. Welcome by Bishop Suheil Dawani. Dinner and Overnight at Saint George’s Cathedral Guest House in the cathedral complex, Jerusalem (B,L,D) TEL: ++972-2-6283302 FAX: ++972-2-6282253

SUN, FEB 14, DAY 5: HORIZONS OF JERUSALEM / HOLY SEPULCHER
Introductions. Walk down to Damascus Gate to get the feel for the distance and our surroundings. Sunday Eucharist at Saint George’s Cathedral. Lunch at Saint George’s Guest House. Afternoon: Mt. Scopus, view the Judean desert, Mt. of Olives, City of David, Church of the Resurrection. Dinner & Overnight at Saint George’s Guest House (B,L,D)

MON, FEB 15, DAY 6: SHEPHERD’S FIELD / BETHLEHEM / HOLY SEPULCHER
Depart Jerusalem for Bethlehem and the Shepherds’ Field. We visit the Nativity Church Peace Center. Lunch in Beit Sahour (Shepherds’ Field). Visit SUNBULA: Founded in 1996 is a Jerusalem-based non-profit organization committed to promoting social justice and economic empowerment of the marginalized. Its mission is to support Palestinian women’s cooperatives and disabled people’s self-help groups by providing marketing and sales opportunities for their products. We enter through Jaffa gate to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Guest Speaker: Contemporary Issues – A Palestinian Perspective. Dinner and Overnight at Saint George’s Guest House (B,L,D)

TUE, FEB 16, DAY 7: WESTERN WALL / DOME OF THE ROCK / NAZARETH
We depart for the Western Wall near Elharam Esh Sharif (The Dome of The Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque) with Dr. Ali Qleibo, artist, author and anthropologist. Born in Jerusalem and educated in the USA his books and artworks have taken him all over the world. His book Before the Mountains Disappear is an ethnographic description of everyday Palestinian life. The book provides a narrative vista rich with anecdotes from personal experience into the manners and customs of modern Palestinians. St. Anne’s Church and the pools of Bethesda. Church of St. Gabriel and the Basilica of the Annunciation. Dinner and Overnight at the Sisters of Nazareth (B,L,D)

WED, FEB 17, DAY 8: SEA OF GALILEE / JORDAN RIVER / CAPERNAUM / BEATITUDES
Today we depart for the Sea of Galilee-Lake Kinnereth. Stop at the Jordan River from the Northern side for the renewal of Baptismal vows. We then visit Capernaum where we see the Ancient Synagogue and St. Peter’s House. We continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Lunch is by the Sea of Galilee, followed by a visit to Tabgha (Heptapegon), The Loaves and Fishes Church and the Chapel of St. Peter’s Primacy. We drive via the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem, on the way we will stop at Wadi Qelt to get the feel of the desert and view the Mt. of Temptation and the Old Roman Road. Ash Wednesday service at Saint George’s Cathedral. Dinner and overnight at Saint George’s Guest House (B,L,D)

THU, FEB 18, DAY 9: BETH-PHAGE / DOMINUS FLEVIT / GETHSEMANE
Depart for Beth-phage and Mt. of Olives walk down the Palm Sunday Road ending at the Garden of Gethsemane. Farewell dinner in Jericho at the Qumris. Overnight at Saint George’s Guest House (B,L,D)

FRI, FEB 19, DAY 10: WAY OF THE CROSS / EMMAUS
Early this morning we walk and pray the Way of the Cross. Later we depart for Emmaus Nicopolis. We celebrate the Eucharist at the ruins of the Byzantine Church, Lunch. Free Afternoon - Dinner and Overnight at Saint George’s Guest House (B,L,D)

SAT, FEB 20, DAY 11: RETURN TO USA
4:30 a.m. transfer to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv for our flight that departs at 8:15 a.m., Air France connecting in Paris to Dulles returning 7:15 p.m.

Back to top

Reservations and Cost

Base Cost: $3,100 per person (25-30 persons)
(Supplemental cost for single accommodation: $385)

Includes:

Required: