People of all walks of life enjoy visiting places with historical significance. Christians are like-minded in this regard and many travel around the world on pilgrimages that allow them to experience the most Holy places and meaningful locations.
Although millions flock to Jerusalem each year to reaffirm their faith through baptism in the Jordan River, there are many historical Christian places around the world. As the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread, watershed events transpired that helped bring people to God far and wide. The Bible, for example, included numerous towns, villages and even cities that have been renamed or no longer exist. Some have been lost for centuries. That’s why it’s important for Christians to know where exactly these meaningful sites are if they plan to reinvigorate their sense of history by standing where the Apostles, Jesus and Christians heroes once stood.
Jerusalem
Understandably, this Holy city stands at the center of Christianity and Judaism. Many of the events discussed in the Old Testament and New Testament took place in Israel’s capital. Jesus Christ was crucified here, he was entombed and rose from the dead just outside the city limits.
It’s important for Christians who trek to Jerusalem to keep in mind that the modern city is considerably larger than the ancient place described in scripture. Although what is sometimes called the “Old City” has been preserved, historic locations such as Christ’s burial site has been engulfed by the expansion. That means it is now within the city limits.
The new city now includes just about every inch of the locations where Jesus walked during his final time on Earth. Also firmly within the new city area are important spaces such as Gethsemane, the Via Dolorosa, Golgotha (Calvary), Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Wailing Wall.
Bethlehem
The birthplace of Jesus ranks among the holiest Christian destinations. Although a biblical sense exists that Bethlehem was a relatively unimportant location in the ancient world, that may not have been the case. At the time of Christ’s birth, the city held important military significance. It housed soldiers and rests above one of Israel’s primary aquifers.
It became Jerusalem’s water source in approximately 200 B.C. and the man-made reservoirs known as Solomon’s Pools remain intact to this day. The regional importance of Bethlehem’s natural resources may have helped it remain intact through the centuries. It continues to provide the same role it did in ancient times.
Nazareth
Often referred to as the “Cradle of Christianity,” Nazareth is where Mary was told she would bring Jesus into the world and the village where He would be raised. The small Jewish town located in Lower Galilee grew in prominence due to its Christian significance. The site saw numerous churches erected, including the Roman Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation and the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. It also became war ravaged over the centuries as Muslim invaders destroyed Christian structures. Today, Nazareth enjoys a modest population of approximately 75,000 mostly Palestinian residents and is commonly called the “Arab capital of Israel.”
Damascus
The term “Road to Damascus” comes from the important conversion of Saul. Discussed in Acts, Saul was blinded for three days while traveling to Damascus. He regained his sight after reaching the house of Ananias. He was reborn as Paul and emerged among the most important Christians in early times.
The once beautiful city was the capital of Syria, but the rise of Muslim extremists and civil war have ravaged the once peaceful Christian site and dispersed a population that once topped 2.5 million people. The House of Saint Ananias remains a significant landmark.
Rome
Outside of the birthplace of Christianity, perhaps no other place equals Rome in terms of Christian historical significance. It marks the place where Paul and Peter were executed following Jesus’ crucifixion and the center of persecution under Nero during the 1st Century.
On the positive side, Rome is where Constantine converted to Christianity after receiving a Holy vision. His rise to emperor pulled Christianity into prominence and in 313 A.D. worship became legal for the first time in Roman history. Churches were erected throughout the empire as Constantine ushered in an age of religious tolerance. Christianity became the official Roman religion approximately one decade later. Rome was considered the central power source of the empire that overshadowed Europe. Today’s Rome encompasses Vatican City, hosts the Pope, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
~ Christian Patriot Daily
