Palestine of Jesus Course

In speaking with Fr. Bob before coming to Jerusalem, he strongly recommended I take the Palestine of Jesus course through St. George's College. I am especially grateful that my diocese agreed to support me in this.

In some sort of freak coincidence, I am taking the course this week for nine days, mainly with clergy from the Diocese of Toronto under Bishop Philip Poole. Our last day of the course is July first and I've heard rumour the Canadian Ambassador is joining us for breakfast.

Our itinerary, because I am freakishly excited is roughly as such:
     * Today: Lecture on Jerusalem: Yesterday and Today (a quick, one-hour zip through the history of the city), a view of the outside of the city, including the 3 mountains (Mt. Moriah/Temple Mount, Mt. Zion and Mt. of Olives), 3 valleys (Kidron, Hinnom, Tyropean) and the three domes (Dome of the Rock, Holy Sepulcher/Resurrection and Dormition Abbey). A (very windy) roof-top visit to Abraham's House (a Catholic convent open to pilgrims of all faiths) and a quick stop on Mt. Scopus to view the Judean dessert.
    * June 23: The Old City: the four quarters, Reports on Explorations, The Peace Process - A Palestinian Perspective, with Xavier Abu Eid
    * June 24: Al-Haram Ash-Sharif, Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, the Pool of Bethseda, Reflection, the Western Wall and Southern Wall Excavations, Lecture on the Peace Process - An Israeli Perspective with Yakir Englander
     *June 25: Ein Kerem (traditional site where John the Baptist was born), Churches of the Visitation and the birthplace of John the Baptist, Bethlehem and the Shepherd's Fields, Reflection (by yours truly), Basillica of the Nativity, discusison of the cathedral
     * June 26: Optional day to Masada and Qumran and the Dead Sea. You know I'll be opting "IN".
     * June 27: Galilee: Meditation in the Desert, Visit Beth Shean / Scythopolis, afternoon by the Sea of Galilee
     * June 28: St. Peter's Primacy, renewal of Baptismal vows by the Sea of Galilee, Depart for Mt Beatitudes, option to Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes (I will opt in)
     * June 29: Depart Mt. Tabor (site of Transfiguration). Travel to Nazareth, visti the Basillica with reflection/ the Greek Church of St. Gabriel. Lecture on the Church of the Resurrection/Holy Sepulcher
     * June 30: Church of the Resurrection/Holy Sepulcher, Mt. of Olives, Dominus Flevit, Garden of Gethsemane, Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu
     * July 1: Way of the Cross (Stations of the Cross) at 6am to avoid the people). Breakfast with the Canadian Ambassador