We start our tour at the Church of the Visitation which honors the visit paid by the Virgin Mary  shortly after the annunciation, to Elizabeth who is carrying John in her womb. We are told about this visit in the gospel of Luke 1: 39-56 which according to tradition is where Mary recited her song of praise of the Lord, the Magnificat, known as the Canticle or Song of Mary. 

On our walk to John Ba Harim Church we will stop at the house of Marie Alphonsine and the tree planted by Major General Charles Gordon both associated in some way with John.

On our way to John Ba Harim Church, the birthplace of John, we will stop at Mary’s Spring, which is the source of life of this village that has been there for more than 3500 years.  

John Ba Harim Church (John in the mountains) was built at the site where John the Baptist is believed to have been born and raised. Like the event at the Church of the VIsitation that gave rise to the Magnificat, here too an important event took place. As told in the Godpel of Luke 1: 68-79 Zachriah, John’s father, regains his ability to talk once he writes the name of John at his Brith (when he was 8 days old and to be circumsised). Zachariah praises the Lord in what has become to be known as the Song of Zachriah or Benedictus.

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