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Tel Aviv is a new modern city, with only slightly more than 100 years since it was established in 1909 from the sand dunes a bit north to the old city of Jaffa on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
David Ben Gurion, the first Israeli prime minister, announced the establishment of the state of Israel in Tel Aviv – 15 May 1948
Jaffa is the biblical Joppa, which is said to have been founded by Japheth, son of Noah.
Jaffa is considered one of the oldest port cities in the world and is famous for its association with the biblical stories of Solomon, Jonah and Saint Peter.
Solomon brought the Lebanon Cedar trees for the construction of the 1’st temple in Jerusalem via the port of Jaffa.
From Jaffa the prophet Jonah went to his journey by sea and was swallowed by the big fish.
When St. Peter was at Lida, near Jaffa, he was called to Jaffa following the death of a believer woman named Tabitha and he brought her back to life.
There on the roof of Simon the tanner’s house takes place the famous vision of St Peter about the pure and impure animals.
Acts 9 : 40-43
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.
42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
Acts 10 : 9-15
13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
Caesarea is an important archeological site. The name Caesarea comes from Caesar – it’s about Emperor Octavianus
Built by king Herod the Great and 2000 years ago it was the biggest port in the Middle East
Caesarea is an important place in Christianity since in Caesarea the only archeological evidence for the existence of Pilate was discovered.
In Caesarea St. Peter converts Cornelius, the Roman centurion, to Christianity. Cornelius is the first pagan converted to Christianity.
In Caesarea was also imprisoned St. Paul for two years before he would be sent to Rome.
Caesarea became the capital of Judea in AD 70 until the end of the Byzantine period
The famous aqueduct carried water to the city from the slopes of mount Carmel
Acts 10:23-48
23 The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Church of Saint George, Lod – dedicated to the fourth-century Christian martyr Saint George. He was raised in Lydda and became an officer in the Roman army in the Guard of Diocletian, who ordered his death for failing to renounce his Christian faith. He became venerated as a Christian martyr. His tomb (of his head) is located in the crypt of that church in Lod.
Book of acts 9:32-35
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda.
33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.
34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up.
35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.