Mt. Tabor

On Friday, the day before we left, we went up to Mount Tabor. At 1850 ft. elevation, it is the highest point in Israel, and the place of the Transfiguration. Tabor is thought to be the most majestic of mountains. Rocks where Our Lord stood can be seen under glass on the top level of the church. We looked over the parapet here, and Bassem showed us the plain known as the Via Maris, or 'route by the sea." This was the trading route taken by Egyptians, Mesopotamians, etc. through the mountains of Galilee. The area was between the mountains of Galilee, Syria, and Judea. The route started next to the Mediterranean Sea. Excavations in this area have shown it to be at least 8000 years old!

We had to take taxis up the mountain, since the tour buses were not equipped for such a steep climb. As we arrived, we saw lots of ruins from previous times. The mountain itself is rounded, and can be seen from any place in eastern Galilee.


Early Christians built a church here in the 5th century and Crusaders built a monastery here which was later destroyed in the 12th century. Franciscans rebuilt the church in the 17th century. We went to Mass in the Basilica of the Transfiguration which includes some stunning mosaics of the Transfiguration. Three chapels inside the church commemorate Peter's suggestion of making three tabernacles for Elijah, Jesus, and Moses. Peter was always the impetuous one -- the one who had to 'take charge.' What a heart-stopping moment this must have been for the apostles.