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n the western border of Jerusalem, nestled in a rich and fertile valley surrounded by hills, is Ein Kerem, whose name is derived from its olive trees and the spring flowing at its center. Ein Kerem’s churches and monasteries can be seen from afar, with their tall spires standing like burnished candlesticks, lending their presence to this unique area. |
The area, known to the ancient Hebrews as Beit Kerem, was renamed Arene (the mountainous) by the Romans, while the Crusaders called it Montana, because it stands hidden in the bosom of the highest Judean Hills. Ein Kerem is identified with the City of Judah, where John the Baptist was born to Elizabeth and Zechariah. |
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Luke 1:5-13 In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron. Both were worthy in the sight of God, and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of the Lord. But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years. Now it was the turn of Zechariah’s section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God when it fell to |
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him by lot, as the ritual custom was, to enter the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense there. And at the hour of incense the whole congregation was outside, praying. Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, ‘Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you must name him John.’
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Ein Kerem landscape. In the background, the church where John the Baptist was born. |
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On the northern side of the mountain, in the upper region of the Russian Colony, are church ruins impressive both in their dimension and their beauty. This is the unfinished Russian Church whose construction was interrupted in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I and never resumed. |
The Church of St. John the Baptist Located at the entrance to Ein Kerem, and recognizable by its tall tower, the Church of St. John the Baptist is situated on the site where, according to tradition, John the Baptist was born, in the house of Zechariah.
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Luke 1:11-16 Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense. The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear. But the angel said to him, ‘Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you must name him John. He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink. Even from his mother’s womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and he will bring back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.'
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Zechariah’s Prophecy: Luke 1:68-79 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue and he has raised up for us a power for salvation in the House of his servant David, even as he proclaimed, by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times, that he would save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us. Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors, thus he remembers his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham that he would grant us, free from fear, to be delivered from the hands of our enemies to serve him in holiness and virtue in his presence, all our days. And you, little child, you shall be called Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way for him. To give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins; this by the tender mercy of our God who from on high will bring the rising Sun to visit us to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
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he Church has a lovely arcade. In the cappella are an ancient well, beautiful mosaics, and several lovely paintings; silhouettes of Mary and Elizabeth, a painting of Roman soldiers killing first-born sons by the order of King Herod, and an angel hiding John the Baptist in a crevice in a rock. On the ground floor stands the rock said to have hidden John the Baptist from Herod’s soldiers, and on the walls are three superb frescoes, one of which portrays Zechariah burning incense on the Temple altar. The second shows the visitation of Gabriel to Zechariah, and the third depicts Elizabeth hiding John the Baptist, with the help of the angel. |
Luke 1:39-51 'Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ And Mary said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my Saviour; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him. He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart.’
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