Israel Tourism is happy to inform that Sussita has recently been added to the Holy Land Mass and Prayer booking system, joining the national parks of Caesarea Philippi, Kursi, Korazim, The Good Samaritan, and Avdat.
According to information from the Christian Information Centre, which manages pilgrimage operations in the Holy Land, Israel used to host roughly 500,000 visitors annually, divided into 15,000 groups, before the pandemic. These groups, the vast majority of which are Catholic, attend daily Mass services while they are in the nation. In order to accomplish this, they reserve locations from among the several churches spread across the country utilizing an online reservation system that is open to all inbound tourism organizations.
The Franciscan Custody, which manages the pilgrimage and is in charge of overseeing Christian activities in Israel and its neighbors on behalf of the Vatican, and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority have collaborated over the past few years as a result of the rise in pilgrims. Through this collaboration, a number of national park locations were recognized as Mass ceremony locations that pilgrimage groups could reserve in advance. These locations include the national parks of Caesarea Philippi, Kursi, Korazim, The, and Avdat.
The sixth location on the list, Sussita, which opened to the public six months ago, joined this week. The town of Sussita has two locations set aside for prayers and Masses. One of them has a view of the Sea of Galilee and the “Evangelical Triangle,” which is made up of the Christian pilgrimage sites of Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, and Tabgha. The second provides a bird’s-eye perspective of Mount Tabor, which is significant in Christian tradition as the site of the Transfiguration event, and the Jordan Valley.
The Susita region, which includes the Sea of Galilee, has a close connection to Jesus’ life. It is essential to include the recently opened Sussita site on your schedule as you go around the Sea of Galilee.
Sussita’s significance in Christian history is specifically mentioned in the following passages: “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).
- The swine miracle (Matthew 8:28–34)
- The eight churches that were found during city excavations.
“This addition is significant news for tourism agencies and groups looking to rejuvenate their pilgrimage experience by holding prayers and Masses at heritage and natural sites,” says Dr. Hagay Dvir, the INPA’s tourism product manager. These locations provide pilgrims with a powerful spiritual experience while telling the story of Christianity in the Holy Land.
We cordially invite you to discover Sussita National Park’s captivating beauty, rich historical past, and spiritual resonance. Sussita provides a memorable experience for every visitor to Israel with its unmatched beauty, rich history, and proximity to the famous Sea of Galilee.
To ensure the site’s preservation for future generations, there will be an entry fee starting on September 1st, 2023.
“Israel is a country with a rich cultural, historical, and religious heritage, and is home to a variety of attractions that offer something for everyone,” said Sammy Yahia, Director of Tourism for India and the Philippines. Israel is a place that will not disappoint, no matter if you are interested in history, culture, nature, or just seeking a memorable experience.
Source- Travel daily