DAY 24: Friday Jan. 23 - 7 PM (local).
Friends,
Family,
Benefactors,
Today is our final full-day in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Thank-you for all your support, prayers, and interest in following this remarkable journey to the 'fifth gospel.' We are so eager to come home and share the many graces, stories, and knowledge that we have received from this pilgrimage.
AHEAD:
Friday - 7 to 11:59 PM: Men will be packing and resting in preparation for our travel back to the US.
Saturday - 12:15 AM: Holy Mass at the Knights Palace hotel in Jerusalem.
Saturday - 1 AM: Coach bus to Tel-Aviv airport.
Saturday - 2 to 5 AM: Airport in Tel-Aviv. Fly to Amsterdam. 5 hr lay-over. Fly to Minneapolis. We should arrive back to St. Paul Seminary around 5 PM on Saturday Jan. 24. Pray for us!
Friday, January 23, 2015
DAY 23: Jericho - Qumran - Dead Sea
DAY 23: Thursday Jan. 22.
Recap:
6:30 AM: Breakfast.
8 AM: Coach bus to Jericho. Claimed to be the world's oldest city.
LOOK-UP: In the Bible, Jericho was the first town captured by the Israelites under Joshua. The Book of Joshua tells how, in order to possess the land promised to them by God, the Israelites brought down the city walls with a tremendous shout and a trumpet blast. JOSHUA ch. 6.
New Testament mentions several visits to Jericho by Jesus. LOOK-UP: LUKE 19:1-10 (Jesus heals two blind men and Jesus stays at the home of the tax collector Zacchaeus.
9 AM: Holy Mass at local parish in Jericho.
10 AM: Coach ride towards Qumran Caves and the Dead Sea. Just on the edge of Jericho a brief stop to step off the coach and view "MOUNT OF TEMPTATION." Location where the Devil appeared to tempt Jesus during his 40 day fast in the desert.
LOOK-UP: Matthew 4:1-11.
10:30 AM: Arrive to Qumran.
12:15 PM: Lunch
1 PM: Many men floated in the Dead Sea.
...to be continued...
Recap:
6:30 AM: Breakfast.
8 AM: Coach bus to Jericho. Claimed to be the world's oldest city.
LOOK-UP: In the Bible, Jericho was the first town captured by the Israelites under Joshua. The Book of Joshua tells how, in order to possess the land promised to them by God, the Israelites brought down the city walls with a tremendous shout and a trumpet blast. JOSHUA ch. 6.
New Testament mentions several visits to Jericho by Jesus. LOOK-UP: LUKE 19:1-10 (Jesus heals two blind men and Jesus stays at the home of the tax collector Zacchaeus.
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| Zacchaeus was said to have climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus as he was passing through Jericho. This is a centuries-old sycamore tree in Jericho. LUKE 19:1-6 "Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.' So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly." |
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| Good Shepherd Parish - Jericho. |
9 AM: Holy Mass at local parish in Jericho.
10 AM: Coach ride towards Qumran Caves and the Dead Sea. Just on the edge of Jericho a brief stop to step off the coach and view "MOUNT OF TEMPTATION." Location where the Devil appeared to tempt Jesus during his 40 day fast in the desert.
LOOK-UP: Matthew 4:1-11.
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| Mount of Temptation. Just 1 mile north of Jericho. |
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| Brief Camel ride for the "Camel Rider." |
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| Michael Daly on his 26th Birthday. |
10:30 AM: Arrive to Qumran.
12:15 PM: Lunch
1 PM: Many men floated in the Dead Sea.
...to be continued...
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Day 22: THE JEWISH QUARTER - DOME OF THE ROCK - HALL OF THE LAST SUPPER
DAY 22: Wednesday Jan. 21.
Recap:
6:30 AM: Breakfast.
7:45 AM: Walk from Hotel through Old City Jerusalem to the Jewish Quarter.
First destination was the Dome of the Rock - on the former Temple Mount - or - as it is now referred - Haram esh-Sharif "Noble Sanctuary."
Originally the site of Solomon's Temple. Following it became the site of the Second Temple (which stood during the time of Christ as the center of all Jewish worship). At the time of Christ it was enlarged by Herod the Great. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
In AD 691 in became the site of the Islamic Shrine - the Dome of the Rock. It is considered the third most important religious site for Muslims.
RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE: The Rock - which is housed below the gold-plated Dome - is believed to be where Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22); where Muhammad left the Earth on his Night Journey; and the site of the Holy of Holies of Herod's Temple.
11 AM: The Western Wall.
RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE: The Western Wall is a massive wall built of huge stone blocks. It is Judaism's holiest site - and is a permanent place of worship. It is part of the retaining wall - built by Herod the Great - of the Temple Mount of the Second Temple. Many Jewish-worshippers visit the wall daily to recited the entire Book of Psalms.
ETIQUETTE: Any non-Jew can approach the wall, provided they cover their heads.
We also had a tour along the length of the Western Wall which has been excavated underground.
12:15 PM: Lunch.
2 PM: The Hall of the Last Supper - or Coenaculum. No longer a place of Christian Worship.
3 PM: Holy Mass at nearby Franciscan Chapel that commemorates the place and event of the Last Supper.
Recap:
6:30 AM: Breakfast.
7:45 AM: Walk from Hotel through Old City Jerusalem to the Jewish Quarter.
First destination was the Dome of the Rock - on the former Temple Mount - or - as it is now referred - Haram esh-Sharif "Noble Sanctuary."
Originally the site of Solomon's Temple. Following it became the site of the Second Temple (which stood during the time of Christ as the center of all Jewish worship). At the time of Christ it was enlarged by Herod the Great. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
In AD 691 in became the site of the Islamic Shrine - the Dome of the Rock. It is considered the third most important religious site for Muslims.
RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE: The Rock - which is housed below the gold-plated Dome - is believed to be where Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22); where Muhammad left the Earth on his Night Journey; and the site of the Holy of Holies of Herod's Temple.
11 AM: The Western Wall.
RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE: The Western Wall is a massive wall built of huge stone blocks. It is Judaism's holiest site - and is a permanent place of worship. It is part of the retaining wall - built by Herod the Great - of the Temple Mount of the Second Temple. Many Jewish-worshippers visit the wall daily to recited the entire Book of Psalms.
ETIQUETTE: Any non-Jew can approach the wall, provided they cover their heads.
We also had a tour along the length of the Western Wall which has been excavated underground.
12:15 PM: Lunch.
2 PM: The Hall of the Last Supper - or Coenaculum. No longer a place of Christian Worship.
3 PM: Holy Mass at nearby Franciscan Chapel that commemorates the place and event of the Last Supper.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Day 20: Gethsemane - Assumption - Ascension
Day 20: Monday Jan. 19 - 8 PM.
Recap of day.
6:30 AM: Breakfast at hotel in Jerusalem.
8:30 AM: Prayer at the Church of All Nations (Jesus's Agony in the Garden).
LOOK-UP: Luke 22:41 "And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed..."
9 AM: Holy Mass at The Cave of Gethsemane - literally just a stone's throw from The Church of All Nations. The Cave of Gethsemane is held to be the site that Judas betrayed Jesus.
10 AM: Tomb of the Virgin. Traditions says this is where the Virgin Mary was laid to rest and then Assumed into Heaven. Located in the immediate vicinity of the Cave of Gethsemane.
11 AM: Chapel of the Ascension. On the supposed site of Christ's Ascension.
12 PM: Church of the Paternoster. Known as the place where Christ had taught the Disciples the Paternoster - "Our Father."
1 PM: Lunch.
Afternoon was open to pray on our own.
Recap of day.
6:30 AM: Breakfast at hotel in Jerusalem.
8:30 AM: Prayer at the Church of All Nations (Jesus's Agony in the Garden).
LOOK-UP: Luke 22:41 "And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed..."
9 AM: Holy Mass at The Cave of Gethsemane - literally just a stone's throw from The Church of All Nations. The Cave of Gethsemane is held to be the site that Judas betrayed Jesus.
10 AM: Tomb of the Virgin. Traditions says this is where the Virgin Mary was laid to rest and then Assumed into Heaven. Located in the immediate vicinity of the Cave of Gethsemane.
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| The facade of the 12th-century entrance to the Tomb of the Virgin. |
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| 1st Century AD Tomb believed to be where the Disciples entombed the Virgin Mary prior to her Assumption. |
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| Traditional "Theotokos" - Mother of God Icon. The Virgin holding the Son of God. |
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| Traditional 4th Century icon telling the "dormition," burial, and Assumption of the Blessed Mother. Christ appears at the tomb of Mary and "carries" - Assumes her into Heaven. Emphasis is given to the action of Christ by the small dimension of his Mother in his arms. |
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| Another of the same Icon. |
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| Impressive flight of 47 steps built by the Crusaders of the 12th C. that leads down to the Church and location of the empty Tomb of the Virgin. |
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| The tomb of the Virgin. All the holes are from the Crusader period - when pilgrims and Crusaders removed parts of the tomb as relics. |
11 AM: Chapel of the Ascension. On the supposed site of Christ's Ascension.
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| Chapel of the Ascension. |
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| Supposed stone - that has been highly venerated - as the location of Christ's Ascension into Heaven. |
12 PM: Church of the Paternoster. Known as the place where Christ had taught the Disciples the Paternoster - "Our Father."
1 PM: Lunch.
Afternoon was open to pray on our own.
Day 19: Bethlehem - Bethany
Day 19: Sunday Jan. 18.
LOOK-UP: Luke 2:1-20 "The Birth of Jesus/The Shepherds and the Angels" - …for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
10 AM: Arrived to Bethlehem. Holy Mass. Celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas - in chapel above the cave that is venerated as the location of the birth of Christ.
11 AM: Cave of St. Jerome. Part of the same cave structure. Location of the Tomb that contained the body of St. Jerome - which is now reserved in Rome - after the Crusaders brought many relics back to Europe. St. Jerome spent the last 30 years of his life at this location in Bethlehem. He translated the Sacred Scriptures into the Vulgate - Latin - from Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek - for those who were unable to read those languages.
11:15 to 11:45 AM: Veneration and prayer at the alter over the site of the Birth of Jesus - and the place where Mary placed the Christ in a manager.
12 PM: Traveled to the near-by "Shepherd's Field." LOOK-UP: Luke 2:10-14: "And the angel said to them, 'Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!'
3 PM: Bethany. LOOK-UP: John 11 to 12:8. "The Death of Lazarus/Jesus Weeps/Jesus Raises Lazarus to Life/Mary of Bethany Anoints Jesus."
LOOK-UP: Luke 2:1-20 "The Birth of Jesus/The Shepherds and the Angels" - …for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
10 AM: Arrived to Bethlehem. Holy Mass. Celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas - in chapel above the cave that is venerated as the location of the birth of Christ.
11 AM: Cave of St. Jerome. Part of the same cave structure. Location of the Tomb that contained the body of St. Jerome - which is now reserved in Rome - after the Crusaders brought many relics back to Europe. St. Jerome spent the last 30 years of his life at this location in Bethlehem. He translated the Sacred Scriptures into the Vulgate - Latin - from Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek - for those who were unable to read those languages.
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| Statue of St. Jerome. |
11:15 to 11:45 AM: Veneration and prayer at the alter over the site of the Birth of Jesus - and the place where Mary placed the Christ in a manager.
12 PM: Traveled to the near-by "Shepherd's Field." LOOK-UP: Luke 2:10-14: "And the angel said to them, 'Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!'
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| Apse in church in the "Shepherd's field" just outside Bethlehem. |
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| Praying rosary over-looking "Shepherd's field." |
3 PM: Bethany. LOOK-UP: John 11 to 12:8. "The Death of Lazarus/Jesus Weeps/Jesus Raises Lazarus to Life/Mary of Bethany Anoints Jesus."
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| Three Mosaic's in the Church at Bethany depicting the Gospel scenes with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. |
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| Mosaic of St. Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, close friend of Jesus, and man who Jesus raised from the tomb. |
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Day 18 & Day 17: Church of St. Anne's Church - Holy Sepulchre "All-Night Vigil" - The Visitation - Nativity of St. John the Baptist - Road to Emmaus
Day 18 & Day 17!
Now Saturday Jan. 17 - 2:30 PM.
Day 18: Saturday Jan. 17
10 AM - 6:30 PM: Open/free/personal day.
9 to 10 AM: Holy Mass at the chapel by St. Anne's Church. Traditionally believed that the church stands on the spot where Anne and Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary, lived.
7 to 8 AM: Breakfast at Hotel.
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Day 17: Friday Jan. 16
7 PM to 4 AM: Twelve men got permission to spend these hours in an "All-Night" Vigil at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
NOTE: Custody of the Church has been the cause of fierce disputes, lasting centuries. Ownership is divided between Armenians, Greeks, Copts, Roman Catholics, Ethiopians, and Syrians. EVERY DAY, the church is unlocked by a Muslim keyholder acting as a "neutral" intermediary. This has been performed by a member of the same family for several generations.
5:30 PM: Evening Prayer - practice homily and dinner at the Hotel.
2 PM: Emmaus Church.
1:30 PM: Church of Notre Dame de l'Arche de l'Alliance. Said to occupy the site of the house of Abinadab, where the Ark of the Covenant rested for 20 years before David took it to Jerusalem.
LOOK-UP: 1 Samuel 7:1-2
10 AM: Church of the Visitation and Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist.
LOOK-UP: Luke Chapter 1.
6:30 AM: Holy Mass in the tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre!
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HOLY SITES: The Church has granted permission to celebrate the Liturgical Feast according to the events of the Holy Sites of the Holy Land. Thus, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - at the empty tomb - we celebrated Easter!
Tomorrow, Sunday Jan. 18, we visit Bethlehem, so we will be celebrating Christmas!
Now Saturday Jan. 17 - 2:30 PM.
Day 18: Saturday Jan. 17
10 AM - 6:30 PM: Open/free/personal day.
9 to 10 AM: Holy Mass at the chapel by St. Anne's Church. Traditionally believed that the church stands on the spot where Anne and Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary, lived.
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| Statue of St. Anne in Church of St. Anne. |
7 to 8 AM: Breakfast at Hotel.
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Day 17: Friday Jan. 16
7 PM to 4 AM: Twelve men got permission to spend these hours in an "All-Night" Vigil at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
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| 4 AM - Saturday Jan. 17 - Twelve seminarians leaving the Church of the Holy Sepulchre after nine hour Vigil. |
NOTE: Custody of the Church has been the cause of fierce disputes, lasting centuries. Ownership is divided between Armenians, Greeks, Copts, Roman Catholics, Ethiopians, and Syrians. EVERY DAY, the church is unlocked by a Muslim keyholder acting as a "neutral" intermediary. This has been performed by a member of the same family for several generations.
5:30 PM: Evening Prayer - practice homily and dinner at the Hotel.
2 PM: Emmaus Church.
1:30 PM: Church of Notre Dame de l'Arche de l'Alliance. Said to occupy the site of the house of Abinadab, where the Ark of the Covenant rested for 20 years before David took it to Jerusalem.
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| Icon - Mary, Ark of the New Covenant. |
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| Mary, Ark of the New Covenant - Statue atop Church. |
LOOK-UP: 1 Samuel 7:1-2
10 AM: Church of the Visitation and Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist.
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| Church of the Visitation - LOOK-UP: Luke 1:46-55. |
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| Church of St. John the Baptist - Altar atop the location of the birth of John the Baptist. LOOK-UP: Luke 1:68-79. |
LOOK-UP: Luke Chapter 1.
6:30 AM: Holy Mass in the tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre!
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HOLY SITES: The Church has granted permission to celebrate the Liturgical Feast according to the events of the Holy Sites of the Holy Land. Thus, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - at the empty tomb - we celebrated Easter!
Tomorrow, Sunday Jan. 18, we visit Bethlehem, so we will be celebrating Christmas!
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Day 16: Mount of Olives - Dominus Flevit "The Lord Wept" - The Agony in the Garden
Day 16 - Thursday Jan 15.
5 AM - 6:30 AM: A number of men awoke to visit and pray at the Holy Sepulchre Church.
6:30 AM: Breakfast at Hotel.
7:15 AM: On the coach for a short ride.
8:15 AM: Holy Mass. On Mount of Olives - Dominus Flevit Church "The Lord Wept."
LOOK-UP: LUKE 19:41-42 "And when he drew near and saw the city he wept over it, saying, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace!"
MATTHEW 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!"
9:45 AM: Garden of Gethsemane - Church of the Nations - Church of the Agony in the Garden.
LOOK-UP: MATTHEW 26:36-46; MARK 14:32; LUKE 22:39-46 "And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed...And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground..."
11:30 AM: Hezekiah's Tunnel and Pool of Siloam.
LOOK-UP: JOHN 9:1-12 ...Jesus spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Silo'am." So he went and washed and came back seeing.
5 AM - 6:30 AM: A number of men awoke to visit and pray at the Holy Sepulchre Church.
6:30 AM: Breakfast at Hotel.
7:15 AM: On the coach for a short ride.
8:15 AM: Holy Mass. On Mount of Olives - Dominus Flevit Church "The Lord Wept."
LOOK-UP: LUKE 19:41-42 "And when he drew near and saw the city he wept over it, saying, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace!"
MATTHEW 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!"
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| Mount of Olives - Dominus Flevit Church |
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| View of Jerusalem - Where the Lord Wept. |
9:45 AM: Garden of Gethsemane - Church of the Nations - Church of the Agony in the Garden.
LOOK-UP: MATTHEW 26:36-46; MARK 14:32; LUKE 22:39-46 "And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed...And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground..."
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| Olive Tree - Garden of Gethsemane. |
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| Church of the Nations - 12 Apses' - Built with the donation of 12 Nations - Built on the Rock of Agony |
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| The Rock of Agony. |
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| The Apse of the Church of the Nations - Church of the Agony. |
11:30 AM: Hezekiah's Tunnel and Pool of Siloam.
LOOK-UP: JOHN 9:1-12 ...Jesus spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Silo'am." So he went and washed and came back seeing.
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| Underground - Where women would go down - lit only by oil lamps - to retrieve jugs of water - on the way to Hezekiah's Tunnel to the Pool of Siloam. |
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| Hezekiah's Tunnel - Charlie Friebohle - one of the three men from the group to go through the waist deep - cold - pitch dark - narrow Tunnel. |
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| Water 70 cm height - as demonstrated by Charlie Friebohle. |
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