Golden Spirit Tours -

THE HOLY LAND

The holy land, where human history extends over half a million years, is one of the world’s oldest travel destinations and home of three monotheistic religions; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The holy land’s ancient and religious appeal is obvious, but many new arrivals are surprised to see that it is much more than a lesson in history. For centuries, this small corner of the eastern Mediterranean area has been a place of pilgrimage for millions of people eager to experience the spiritual power of the holy land.

At times, the holy land can seem like a country obsessed by spirituality. In Jerusalem visitors may hear the Muslim call to prayers of Jews bobbing before the western wall. In other parts of the Holy Land, travelers will find themselves walking in the footsteps of Jesus and the prophets.

In the Holy Land, there are probably more scared places per square mile than anywhere else on earth. Visitors often come across reminders of the three monotheistic religions (that have shaped this part of the world) everywhere they turn – and that’s just the start!

Flanked by three continents – Africa to the South, Asia to the east and Europe to the West – the Holy land is an area which encompasses the whole of Israel and Palestine and parts of Jordan and Egypt. Its boundaries could be said to stretch from the Mediterranean in the west, inland to the Jordanian deserts, and from Galilee in the north to the southern tips of Sinai Peninsula. At the core of the Holy Land is Jerusalem, an ancient walled city which stands on the Judean hills, just to the west of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

THE HOLY LAND & INCOMING TOURISM

With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the Holy Land might just have the world’s most enviable climate. It has a fascinating and starting beauty, with so much to see and discover - from experiencing the uniqueness of floating in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea, enjoying a camel ride, and hiking Wadi Qelt to visiting a winery (i.e. Cremisan), to meeting with the local community, attending an event in Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

Visitors to the Holy Land will be also amazed at the diversity of activities to explore. Israel hospitality and traditions, archeological and holy sites, cultural heritage and local cuisine, historic towns and villages, spectacular scenery, and beautiful beaches are all combined to give every visitor to the Holy Land an experience of a lifetime.

THE HOLY LAND & CHRISTIANITY

Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity. Christian denominations worship Him as God the son incarnate. His Crucifixion and Resurrection in Jerusalem came to be seen as self-sacrifice for the salvation of humankind and inspired a new religion based on His teachings. The new religion spread far beyond the Holy Land. The principle sources of information regarding Jesus Christ are the Apostolic Church and the Bible, in particular the New Testament.

Churches in the Holy Land: the first churches in the Holy Land were built only after the Edict of Milan (313) in which Constantine legalized Christianity putting an end to the persecutions of the Christians.

The Edict stated that it was proper that the Christians and all others should have liberty to follow that mode of religion which appeared best to each of them, thereby granting tolerance to all religions, including Christianity.

THE HOLY LAND & ISLAM

Islam is the monotheistic religion articulated by the Qur’an and by the teachings and normative of Prophet Muhammad, considered by them to be the last prophet of God.

In AD 638, only six years after Prophet Muhammad’s death, the troops of his successor, or caliph, Omar Ibn Al-Khattab, defeated the Byzantines at the Yarmuk River. The Muslims became the new rulers of Palestine. One of the core episodes in the life of Prophet Muhammad was his Night Journey, when he was carried from Mecca to Jerusalem and from there he ascended to Heaven. Consequently, two mosques were built in Jerusalem, the third holy site of Islam, the Dome of the Rock and Al-aqsa Mosque.

THE HOLY LAND & JUDAISM

Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people, with the Five Books of Moses as its core. The Jews believe themselves to be descended from Abraham and conduct their life by the Torah, which includes all the teachings and laws within the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Judaism traditionally passes thought the female line or by conversion to Judaism in accordance with the Jewish Law. The Western Wall is Judaism’s holiest site.

THE HOLY LAND & THE SAMARITANS

The Samaritans live on the sacred Mountain of Gerizim. Unlike other Jews, the Samaritans never left the Holy Land and lived side by side with the Palestinians throughout most of history.

Their brand of Judaism subsequently evolved different from Jews elsewhere. The Samaritans believe that it was on Mount Gerizim where the Jewish Temple stood and where Abraham scarified Isaac (and not Mount Moriah in Jerusalem).

THE HOLY LAND & THE BAHA’I FAITH