Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel, Nazareth
The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Gabriel shares claim with the Catholic Basilica of the Annunciation to the site of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel reportedly appeared to the Virgin Mary, announcing the birth of Jesus. The church has a rich history, likely dating back to the Byzantine era in Palaestina Prima, experiencing renovations during the Crusades and taking its present shape in the 18th century under the rule of Zahir al-Umar, the Arab governor of the Galilee.
Locally referred to as Kniset el-R没m, meaning the "Church of the Romans" in Levantine Arabic, the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Gabriel is positioned above an underground spring. According to Eastern Orthodox belief, this spring is where the Virgin Mary was drawing water at the time of the Annunciation. The water from the spring still flows inside a side chapel of the church and formerly fed the adjacent Mary's Well, which is located 150 yards away.
The underground chapel from the medieval era, containing the spring, is accessible from within the present church. Decorated with ancient Armenian tilework, the chapel features a recessed area below an altar with a semi-circular apse, and a shaft leading down to the spring. Modern decorative murals adorn the walls and ceilings of the 18th-century overground church, with the iconostasis concealing the altar as per Eastern Orthodox tradition. Visitors can observe the tomb of the priest who founded the church along the north wall. The church continues to serve as a place of worship and pilgrimage, preserving its historical and religious significance.
Locally referred to as Kniset el-R没m, meaning the "Church of the Romans" in Levantine Arabic, the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Gabriel is positioned above an underground spring. According to Eastern Orthodox belief, this spring is where the Virgin Mary was drawing water at the time of the Annunciation. The water from the spring still flows inside a side chapel of the church and formerly fed the adjacent Mary's Well, which is located 150 yards away.
The underground chapel from the medieval era, containing the spring, is accessible from within the present church. Decorated with ancient Armenian tilework, the chapel features a recessed area below an altar with a semi-circular apse, and a shaft leading down to the spring. Modern decorative murals adorn the walls and ceilings of the 18th-century overground church, with the iconostasis concealing the altar as per Eastern Orthodox tradition. Visitors can observe the tomb of the priest who founded the church along the north wall. The church continues to serve as a place of worship and pilgrimage, preserving its historical and religious significance.
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Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel on Map
Sight Name: Greek Orthodox Church of St. Gabriel
Sight Location: Nazareth, Israel (See walking tours in Nazareth)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Nazareth, Israel (See walking tours in Nazareth)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Nazareth, Israel
Create Your Own Walk in Nazareth
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nazareth is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Nazareth Introduction Walking Tour
Welcome to Nazareth, a city steeped in history and cultural significance. Known as Nazerat in Hebrew and En-Nasra in Arabic, this town in the north of Israel boasts the largest Arab population in the country 鈥� a mix of Christian and Muslim Arabs.
As the childhood home of Jesus Christ, Nazareth holds a special place in the hearts of Christians worldwide and has been a center of Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
As the childhood home of Jesus Christ, Nazareth holds a special place in the hearts of Christians worldwide and has been a center of Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles