Nazareth

Nazareth is most well-known for being the childhood home of Jesus, as well as the place of annunciation where Mary received the message that she would give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:26). The biblical record also cites Nazareth as the place where Jesus began his ministry in the temple, after which an angry mob attempted to throw him off of a cliff (Luke 4:16-30). The Jesus Trail passes over Mount Precipice, the traditional site of this cliff, which offers a panoramic view of the Jezreel Valley.In downtown Nazareth you can visit the Church of the Annunciation, built in the 1970’s on the site of earlier Crusader and Byzantine churches. This is the largest church in the Middle East and features mosaic artwork of Mary and Jesus from around the world.

Other churches located in or near the Old City market include the
Synagogue Church– a Melkite Greek Catholic church commemorating the synagogue where Jesus announced his ministry, Saint Gabriel’s Orthodox Church near Mary’s Well–the tradition Orthodox site of the Annunciation, Mensa Christi Church which houses a stone attributed to be where Jesus shared a meal following the resurrection, and Saint Joseph’s Church where Joseph was believed to have had his workshop.Other sites on interest in Nazareth include the White Mosque, El Babour Mill, and the recreation of 1st century life in Nazareth found at Nazareth Village.

Links

Nazareth Cultural and Tourism Association: http://www.nazarethinfo.org/2/?m=7
Bible Walks resources and photos: http://www.biblewalks.com/Sites/Nazareth.html
Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazareth
View a list of church services in Nazareth