25 Pilgrims in Israel : To visit historical and biblical sites
More than 25 Ghanaian pilgrims last Friday left Accra for a six-day pilgrimage to historical and biblical sites in Israel.
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The spiritual journey to the Holy Land offers the pilgrims the opportunity to trace the footsteps of Jesus Christ from his birth place to the place of his last breath and other places of historical importance.
It is organised by the Action Chapel International (ACI) in collaboration with Krif Ghana, Ethiopian Airlines and One People Travels, a travel and tour agency.
The pilgrims are expected to visit places including Bethlehem where Jesus was born, Galilee, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum-- where Jesus started his miracles, River Jordan, Jericho, the Dead Sea-- the lowest point on earth; Jerusalem, to see the remains of King Solomon’s temples, Mount Olivet, the tomb of Christ, Mount Calvary and Mount Zion.
The package comprises flight, airport taxes, visas, accommodation, meals, entrance fees to all sites, transportation within Israel, assistance by licensed tour guides and insurance premiums.
Gospel comes to life
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Executive Director of One People Travels, Dr Caesar Atuire, said the trip offered Christians the opportunity to relive the life of Jesus Christ.
“The pilgrimage makes the gospel come to life in the lives of the pilgrims because our religion is a historical religion based on times and space. We follow Jesus not because he is some kind of angel, Jesus became man. He lived in a certain place, in a certain time and what he did there has acquired universal value for all times.”
The latest statistics for the previous year reveals that close to 3.5 million travellers visited the holy land annually, reported the Jerusalem Post.
“The good thing is that we are partnering very well with the Israeli authorities to make sure that people get their visas. Even when there are difficulties, the embassy is very helpful and collaborative in sorting them out,” Dr Atuire added.
The Chief of Staff of the ACI, Rev Kennedy Okosun, observed that apart from building one’s faith, no one went to the pilgrimage and returned the same.
He said it was the aspiration of the organisers that every single Ghanaian would visit the Holy Land at least once in their life time.
Mrs Genet Michael, the Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Ghana, said the airline would continue to provide attractive packages for pilgrims.