| Jesus
often went to a solitary place ("eremos topos") to pray (Matt. 28:16;
Mark 6:46). This cave (pictured on the right) in the hillside of Eremos
overlooks the Sea of Galilee. It is half-way between Capernaum
and Taghba where Jesus multiplied
the loaves and fishes. Perhaps Jesus came here to pray in this lonely
spot. At the foot of the hill lies the area of springs known as Ma-gadan
(Heptapegon or Seven Springs in Greek).
The pilgrim Egeria, who spent
three years in the Holy Land, sometime between 383 and 395 AD, tells of
a cave in the hillside at the "seven springs" (Tagbha):
"On the hill which rises nearby is a grotto, upon which the Lord ascended
when he taught the Beatitudes."
The hillcrest of Eremos (pictured
from inside the cave on the right) offers a beautiful view over the lake
and surrounding towns. The present day Church of the Mount of Beatitudes
is further up on this hill. |
