Caesarea Philipi, Golan Heights

Caesarea Philippi
This site is located in the northeastern part of Israel at the foot of Mount Hermon. It was a pagan city built by Herod Philip, a son of Herod the Great. During Jesus time, the people in the region worshiped many Greek fertility gods, and there were many temples and shrines dedicated to various gods, including Pan, the half goat/half man fertility god of the mountains and forests. In the midst of this pagan city Jesus challenged his disciples to deny themselves and follow him and he told Peter “on this rock I will build my church".

standing in the ruins of the temple of Pan

Grotto whee the people thought Pan lived



How the temples must have looked like in Jesus day




































Druze lady making my cheese pita. Yum!
Golan Heights
We drove through the Golan Heights, which is a mountain ridge running along the eastern side of Israel. We drove through some Druze villages and stopped for lunch at one. The Druze came in the 11th century from Egypt. They were Muslims, an offshoot type of Shiite who worship Jethro as their main prophet. They believe in reincarnation and have very strict cultural laws, like they can only marry another Druze. They are loyal to death to the land that controls them so there are many in high positions in the Israeli army. There are about 20,000 of them in Canada. In the last few years, Syria has wanted to get rid of them so have persecuted them very intensely. Their food is very yummy! On our way to Caesarea, we drove past Mount Carmel, which is the place where the prophet Elijah performed his miracle and called upon the fire of God to conquer the prophets of Baal.
 
Caesarea
Located on the Mediterranean Sea. In 25 BC, Herod the Great built a huge harbour and city and named it after Caesar Augustus. It became the seat of Roman power in Judea and was famous for its palace, theater
Aquaduct built by Herod in Caesarea. Mediterranean Sea in the backgroun. It brought water 13 miles from the base of Mount Carmel to the city
and aqueducts. The book of Acts mentions Paul traveling often to this city.

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