SWORD OF ST. MICHAEL - SEQUEL PILGRIMAGE

ITINERARY

Day 1. Monday, June 9: Transatlantic Flight

Board your flight to Rome, Italy.

Day 2. Tuesday, June 10: Rome

Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic driving view of the Eternal City before transferring to your hotel for a welcome dinner with fellow pilgrims. Overnight in Rome. (WD)

Day 3. Wednesday, June 11: Rome

Begin the day with a visit to Castel Sant’Angelo, a historic monument in Rome, built as a mausoleum by Emperor Hadrian and later used as a fortress and a papal residence. In the year 590, while a great epidemic of plague devastated the city, the Pope Gregory I had a vision of St. Michael the Archangel on top of the castle, announcing the end of the epidemic. In memory of the apparition, the building is crowned with a statue of St. Michael. Continue to visit the magnificent Basilica of St. Peter, constructed on the site of the hallowed tomb of the apostle, resplendent with mosaics, art treasures, and gold. Walk through the Holy Door of the Basilica and gain a plenary indulgence for the Jubilee Year. Among the Basilica’s most precious relics include a portion of the wood of the True Cross, and part of the lance that pierced Christ’s side. Admire Michelangelo’s Pieta and render homage to the many buried popes. The rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Rome. (BB, L, D)

Day 4. Thursday, June 12: Rome – Monte Sant’Angelo – Bari

This morning, depart for Monte Sant’Angelo. Visit the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. A panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding countryside awaits you at this most celebrated shrine of early Christianity, a shrine consecrated by St. Michael himself in 490. Within the span of 15 centuries of history, Christians from the whole world have come to the shrine of the Gargano, “house of God, and gate of heaven”, to give honor to St. Michael the Archangel, Prince of the Heavenly Army, where he appeared four times. Afterwards, continue to Bari for dinner and overnight. (BB, L, D)

Day 5. Friday, June 13: Bari – Rhodes

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Rhodes, Greece. Upon arrival, head to your hotel for overnight. (BB)

Day 6. Saturday, June 14: Rhodes – Excursion to Symi

Today, take a ferry from Rhodes to Symi, one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. Its small harbor is considered one of the loveliest in all of Europe. Here stands the Monastery of the St. Michael the Archangel, and inside its church is the famous icon of the St. Michael Panormitis, who is not only considered the island's patron saint but also the guardian of sailors in the entire Dodecanese area. Tradition says that this icon appeared miraculously and, on several occasions, was removed only to reappear mysteriously in this same location. The church was then built over the site, which had been a temple to Apollo. Time permitting, visit the monastery of the Archangel St. Michael Roukouniotis, the oldest monastery on the island of Symi, built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century on the ruins of a monastery of the 5th century, and the Church of the Prophet Elias. Dinner and overnight in Rhodes. (BB, L, D)

Day 7. Sunday, June 15: Rhodes

Spend a full day in Rhodes. In the morning, take a tour of the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, also known as the Kastello or “castle”. This medieval castle is one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece. The site was previously a citadel of the Knights Hospitaller that functioned as a palace, headquarters, and fortress. After an independent lunch, enjoy the rest of the day free to explore this amazing island. Overnight in Rhodes. (BB)

Day 8. Monday, June 16: Rhodes – Athens

Take a morning flight from Rhodes to Athens. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour of Athens and leisure time before dinner. Overnight in Athens. (Boxed Breakfast, D)

Day 9. Tuesday, June 17: Athens – Tel Aviv – Nazareth

Fly from Athens to Tel Aviv. Then, head to Nazareth, the site of the Annunciation and the home of the Holy Family. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth. (Boxed Breakfast, L, D)

Day 10. Wednesday, June 18: Nazareth – Excursion to Mount Carmel

This morning, travel to Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery in Mount Carmel. Built in an area that for centuries was frequented by hermits, this was a place of worship where the Carmelite order was founded. Below the monastery is Elias’ Cave, where Elias lived and meditated before defeating the pagan prophets of Baal. Also visit the Horn of the Carmel, the monastery of the “place of burning” is the second largest site on the Carmel ridge and hovers at 1,630 feet above sea level. Here, an old monastery is situated belonging to the Carmelite Order, whose members arrived in the Holy Land from Europe in the 17th century. It is on this summit that the dramatic battle between Elias and the prophets of Baal took place. Amid this struggle, the fire that rained down from the sky fell in this exact location. It is said that it was on top of Mount Carmel that St. Michael gave thunder to the Prophet Elias to fight the prophets of Baal. Continue to visit Tel Meggido, the final site battle between heavenly armies, Armageddon. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth. (BB, L, D)

Day 11. Thursday, June 19: Nazareth – Jerusalem

Begin the day in Nazareth with a visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation, the site where the Archangel St. Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she was to be the Mother of God. Then, continue to St. Joseph's Shop, a small church built on the site of St. Joseph’s home and workshop. Transfer to Jerusalem in the afternoon for dinner and overnight. (BB, L, D)

Day 12. Friday, June 20: Jerusalem

Early this morning, carry the cross and follow the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross, and end with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Then, enjoy an in-depth tour of this church, including a visit to the tomb of our forefather Adam and the tombs of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, as well as a tour of the Holy Sepulcher chapels. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of a beautiful pilgrimage. Overnight in Jerusalem. (BB, FD)

Day 13. Saturday, June 21: Homebound Flight

Very early transfer to Tel Aviv airport for your flight back home.