Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar led a group of 52 clergy and laity on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from Feb. 19 to March 1, 2018. Since the pilgrims returned, we have been sharing a series of stories and photos from that journey. 

This album of photos (click the link at right) from the 2018 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land includes sites around the Sea of Galilee – Capernaum and Tabgha – as well as the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
 
Capernaum
Capernaum is a fishing village established during the time of the Hasmoneans, located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
 
Tabgha
Tabgha, once known as Heptapegon or the "Place of the Seven Springs," is on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. These warm springs attract fish and fishermen. It is the traditional site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes (Mark 6:30-46).
 
Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter 
The Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter is a Franciscan church located in Tabgha. It commemorates the spot of Jesus' reinstatement of Peter as chief among the disciples.
Listen to a reflection by Bishop LaTrelle Easterling on John 21:15-19:
 

Holy Land Pilgrimage 2018: Bishop Easterling reflects on John 21:15-19 from New England Conference UMC on Vimeo.

Basilica of the Annunciation
The current church is built over the traditional site of Mary’s house in Nazareth, where the angel Gabriel appeared to her (Luke 1:26-38).  The 20^th-century church is built over the site of an earlier Byzantine-era and then Crusader-era church. The basilica includes a gallery of mosaics depicting Mary from nations around the world.