In what can only be described as the most exciting day for the Adamawa pilgrims in the Holy Land of Israel on Friday, the pilgrims not only prayed and appreciated the holy sites but also sang songs of praise to God as they explored the River Galilee and visited the town of Jesus in Capernaum.
The River Galilee is a significant holy site for Christian faithful. The fabled Sea of Galilee is where Jesus walked on water, calmed the storm, and made Peter and Andrew fishers of men. It's also where Jesus fed the masses with a few loaves and fish and gave his Sermon on the Mount.
The moment of song and praise was observed while the pilgrims were aboard a ship of over 200 capacity and navigated the River Galilee for 34 minutes. They appreciated the location where Jesus walked on the River Galilee, calmed the storm, and performed many of his miracles.
Here, the Messiah's disciples, Peter and Andrew, walked on water and calmed the storm.
At the same time, prayers were offered for all categories of leaders in Adamawa State and the president of Nigeria, asking God to give them wisdom to execute their responsibilities accordingly.
The Adamawa State pilgrims went further and visited the significant religious site of the Church of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. This location is traditionally believed to be where Jesus delivered his famous Sermon on the Mount, the eight Beatitudes.
The modern church at this site is situated near the remains of a much older church, dating back to the late 4th century. This ancient structure includes a well and the remnants of a monastery. Interestingly, a section of the original mosaic floor from this early church has been recovered and is now exhibited in Capernaum.
Another important holy site the pilgrims toured is the Church of the Primacy in Tabgha, where it is said that Jesus fed the five thousand and appeared to the disciples the third time after his resurrection, feeding them.
Also significant for the pilgrims is the Church of the Multiplication, which they visited in the area of Tabgha on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. The church marks the site where Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fish. This was also the site where Jesus appeared for the fourth time after his resurrection.
In Capernaum, the town of Jesus, the pilgrims visited St Peter's Church, also called the Pilgrimage Church of St Peter. This is a modern Catholic pilgrimage church found in the archaeological site of Capernaum, northern Israel. The church is part of the Franciscan monastery in Capernaum. It is dedicated to St Peter, whom Catholics consider the first leader of the Church.
It is considered "the first church in the world" and believed to be the place where the house of the Apostle Peter was located.
Before exploring the River Galilee, the pilgrims visited the River Jordan, where John the Baptist baptised Jesus and the Holy Spirit descended on him, saying, "This is my beloved son, listen to him."
Earlier on Thursday, the pilgrims travelled to Nazareth, where they climbed Mount Tabor. On the mountain is the Church of the Transfiguration, a Franciscan church. It is traditionally believed to be the site where the Transfiguration of Jesus took place, an event in the Gospels in which Jesus is transfigured upon a mountain and speaks with the prophets Moses and Elijah.
The pilgrims also climbed Mount Carmel, a mountain in northern Israel. The mountain is a north-west branch from the Samaria Mountains to Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea. Mount Carmel is the place in the First Book of Kings where Elijah went to battle the pagan prophets of Baal and Astarte.
As this was happening in Israel, the pilgrims in Jordan explored St George’s Church in Madaba, a historic site renowned for its ancient mosaics, including the famous Madaba Map, which depicts the Holy Land.
They also visited the River Jordan, where John the Baptist baptised Jesus Christ, a place deeply revered in the Christian faith.