HIPPOS (SUSSITA)
miracles there. At Kibbutz Ginosar, the remains of a first-century boat are on display. This 2000-year-old trireme was discovered in the mud banks of the Sea of Galilee, when the lake receded during a drought in the 1980s, and it may well have been associated with the life of Jesus and the fishermen disciples. “The same day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat: and the whole multitude stood on the shore” (Matthew 13:1-2). Evidence shows that the boat was constructed of a strange combination of various types of wood - probably recycled timber - proof that it was a poor man’s ship, very likely similar to those used by Jesus and His fishermen disciples. There are even those who go so far as to claim that statistically, there is a slight chance that Jesus Himself sailed in this very vessel. In any case, viewing the boat takes pilgrims back in time and places
The city of Hippos (Sussita) is another fascinating site to visit as it was the central city of the Golan during the Hellenistic and Roman/Byzantine periods and contains a number of churches. It is located on a diamond (or horse) shaped mountain which rises 350M (1148 feet) above the Sea of Galilee. Recent excavations revealed the impressive plan and structures of the city. Some 15 years ago, while on the trail of an elusive Byzantine-era synagogue, archaeologists at the ongoing Hippos-Sussita Excavations Project began excavating what appeared to be a public building that had been burned to the ground, but then moved on to other work. This summer, the settlement’s South-West or Burnt Church was revisited by archaeologists in search of firm dating for the conflagration that both destroyed and preserved the church. They revealed a plethora of interesting artifacts and mosaics — and a nearly illiterate artisan, who had been tasked with inscribing the names of donors and abbots for posterity. Instead, his grammar and spelling mistakes are preserved in a trio of ancient Greek mosaics. During the Byzantine period there were eight churches, indicating its importance for Christians. The city was devastated by a massive earthquake in 749 AD which left it in ruins. The city was an important Christian center during the Byzantine period, and was an episcopate - the seat of the Bishop - starting in the year 359. The majority of its citizens were Christian and the existence of eight churches indicates the city’s importance.
them face to face with a reality that was very much a part of Jesus’ world. And then there’s the Sea of Galilee itself. No trip to the region can be considered complete without a Sea of Galilee cruise, preferably in a wooden boat constructed after a 2000-year old sailing vessel and accompanied by a reenactment of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes and dining on Sea of Galilee St. Peter’s fish, and for those so inclined, wedding ceremonies on a boat in the midst of the Sea of Galilee can be arranged.
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