Page 44 - Holyland Magazine - 2021 Edition

Beit She'an Roman Theater
Post Covid 19
Bible Study Tours in Israel
Feel the closeness to God
By Omer Eshel
The Land of Israel is considered one of
the most visited regions in history. Since
the dawn of humanity, many travelers
and pilgrims have passed through it as a
flow of visitors that has never completely
stopped. Even in the most difficult of days, there
was a pilgrimage movement to Eretz Israel.
In ancient writings from the days of the
Byzantine Empire (333 AD), we witness the
journey of the traveler from Bordeaux who
visited the Byzantine churches in the Land of
Israel, just several years after the recognition of
Christianity as the official religion.
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These were not easy times, when the pagan both on the way to the Holy Land and in the
public living in the Land of Israel was divided in Holy Land itself, the flow of pilgrims not only
its views regarding the adoption of Christianity. continued, but intensified.
Still, the traveler toured and was impressed by
the variety of holy places, despite the personal The year 2020 will be remembered in history
and general security situation. as one of the most difficult years for the
tourism industry in general, and for pilgrims in
At the end of the 6th century, one of the most particular.
severe plagues in history broke out – the Plague
of Justinian (541 AD). During the Crusader Compared to 2019, there was a decrease of
period, (1099-1293 AD) the influx of pilgrims 81.3% (according to the Ministry of Tourism)
increased, but this time, it was Catholic or non- but despite this, movement did not stop
Greek Orthodox. Once again we learn that completely. Although we did not see groups
despite the difficult personal security situation, of pilgrims visiting holy places and archaeology