In the Mountains

Church of St. John in the Mountains

Village of Ein Karem, near Jerusalem Israel

Sunny and Warm

Ba (Hebrew = in)  and Harim (the mountains)

A large, late 17th century Franciscan church was built over the grotto that is traditionally thought to be the birthplace of John the Baptist.

The Custody of the Holy Land is a custodian monastery of the Franciscan Order, with a mission to guard "the grace of the Holy places" in the Holy Land. It was established in 1217 and is headquartered in Old Jerusalem. Their Coat of Arms displays the Jerusalem Cross in the lower part of the shield.

The Jerusalem cross consists of a large center cross with four smaller Greek crosses (similar to a plus sign). It is also known as the Crusader Cross. The large cross represents Christ. The smaller crosses are believed to represent several things - the four Gospels of Mathew, mark, Luke and John. Or the four corners of the world where Jesus wanted his word spread -- north south, east & west. Or the four wounds Jesus received at the crucifixion.

Pilgrims from around the world come to "Walk in the Paths of Jesus"

The grotto believed to be the birthplace of John the Baptist

John baptizes Jesus

This painting hangs above the entrance to the grotto.

Looking down to a lower level at the floor mosaic of the first Byzantine chapel. The inscription is: "Hail, O martyrs of God", referring to "The Massacre of the Innocents", the biblical account of infancide by Herold the Great. Coins and money notes have been dropped through the grating.

A rose to represent the Virgin Mary

Now for something entirely different: Jerusalem chocolates. Yum!