Day 1: Arrival & Monastery of St. George

Upon arrival we met our guide Yani. He was born in Jerusalem, moved to Crete, and now has returned to the Holy Lands where he is studying for his Master's Degree in Biblical Studies. He is a person of great joy and enthusiasm, whose greatest joy is to take pilgrims on a spiritual journey. He is fluent in many languages including Greek!

After we left the airport we went directly to the Monastery of St. George in Lod (Lydda). This was an amazing experience and a great way to start our trip. Fr. Sofrony was the priest who opened the main church for us which is divided in half (the other half being a mosque).

The neighborhood surrounding the church is rough around the edges to say the least. Poor housing and a definite element of poverty and the desperation that accompanies this.

Inside the church is nothing but beauty and amazement. We had the great blessing to venerate the chains of St. George as well as his tomb. After venerating we were permitted to have a small prayer service and pray for our loved ones over the tomb of St. George.

One of the most amazing elements of the visitation to this site was the amazing and beautiful fragrance that hits you as descend the stairs to this holy martyr's tomb.

We have many Georges (and a Georgia) so we truly began our trip in a most appropriate way.

We are now returning to our hotel for an Israeli dinner then to get rest for what promises to be an incredible day tomorrow (including a renewal of our baptism in the Jordan River).