Holy Land Day 4: Monte Carmelo, Akkro and Caesarea

Today we started very early as we moved out of town, but on the way we wanted to continue learning, understanding and fulfilling our souls.

We started with a little history in the city called Akkro, this city was a fortress at the time of the Crusades, but its history begins a little earlier.

In the times before the Crusades it was called Tolomaida and it was inhabited by Phoenicians, Canaanites, Persians, Israelis, Greeks, Romans, Muslims and only then the Crusaders. In the middle it changea its name for Akkro which means pearl, and it was of vital economic importance.

The Crusaders were expelled by the Mameluks, who were initially paid mercenaries by the Ottoman Empire.

Then came the English along with the French, only in 1948 to be part of the newly created State of Israel.

Although in the time before the crusades coexisted the 3 religions, they expelled anyone who did not follow the European rite of Christianity, only when Sultan Saladino defeats the Crusaders returns the possibility of different rites.

The Ottomans give supremacy to the Greek rite and only the order of the Franciscans remains, being the Principal of this order the highest ecclesiastical authority since there was no bishop.

It was not until 1960 that the Patriarchate of the Holy Land was established.

Not far from Akkro is Mount Carmel. In ancient testament it was known as Beatutifull Mt.

This mountain has flora, fauna, fresh water all in place, everything you need to live. It was known as the Mount of God’s wealth.

For the Hebrews, having vineyards was synonymous with wealth. In classical Hebrew vineyard it is said “carme” and “Carme El” means the vineyard of God. Hence the name “Carmelo”.

It is in this place that the prophet Elijah retired to pray and saw the Image of a Woman whom I call “Stella Maris” or Star of the Sea, for us the Virgin Mary. On the “Cave of Elías” the Monastery of the Carmelos was built.

It is very hard to understand that the Virgin Mary made herself see a prophet in this place, to touch the walls of the cave, a place with more than 2000 years of Prayer.

Clic to enlarge images

To finish the day, we stop by Cesarea.

In a historical context, Herod imagined and built a deep-water port that he called Caesarea in honor of Caesar and this in recognition made him King of Judea.

For us Christians it is very important because here Paul and Peter taught and because in 195 AD the “Domini” (Lord’s day) was defined as the first day of the week. It was here where the so-called Pentecost of the Gentiles happened, it was here that for the first time the Church was opened to non-Jews. In Acts 10 Cornelius is described as a Roman Centurion who prayed to God in his form, to whom an Angel appeared and told him to talk with Peter. Cornelius wanted to be converted, he was pious and God fearing.

Pedro, on the other hand, had a vision where he was offered to eat non-pure animals and he refused to accept them because he did not agree with the law. Then Peter went to see him, converse with Cornelius and he just understood that vision, it meant he had to convert non-Jews as well. “God sent a message to the children of Israel, announcing the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ; This is Lord of all. “

This was undoubtedly a strong moment of the day, since the open-door Church was born here as our Pope Francis says.

Until next time!

Horacio

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