Church of Annunciation - Nazareth
 

The Jewel of the Galilee, Nazareth was to have been part of the Arab State of Palestine under the 1947 Partition Plan. However, it was attacked by the Israeli troops in 1948 and annexed - de facto- to the State of Israel. The city remains predominantly Arab, with the Jewish population residing in the nearby "Nazareth Elite" established in 1957 on a hilltop opposite the old city.

Known worldwide as the birthplace of Mary, the mother of Christ, Nazareth is full of Christian religious sites including some beautiful churches. The most important of these churches is the Church of Annunciation which is said to be the largest church in the Middle East and is built over the grotto where the angel Gabriel announced the forthcoming birth of Jesus to Mary. The current building dates from 1966 and is the fifth church on this spot. A spectacular structure on two levels adorned inside with murals, the church features stained glass windows and a large collection of artworks from all over the world. The large Bronze doors forming the entrance to the church are engraved with the life of Jesus. Opening hours are daily from 08:30 - 11:45 and 14:00 - 17:00 except for Sundays when it is only open for Mass. The Church lies in the center of the Old City of Nazareth with the old Souk (market) just outside the doors. On the bottom of the hill lies a controversial site that the community has not decided whether it should be the site of a new mosque or a modern piazza. The market has undergone heavy renovation in recent years preparing for the influx of tourists for the "Nazareth 2000" celebrations.

On the 25 of March the pilgrimage to Nazareth starts from Bethlehem at 06:00 with a Liturgical celebration at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of Annunciation in coordination with Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

For more information contact the Christian Information Center, Tel: 02 - 6272692, fax: 02- 6286417.