Bishop Gayle Harris invites you to join her and other pilgrims on A Pilgrimage Journey in the Holy Land, May 9-20, 2027.
This pilgrimage is an opportunity to walk, visit and pray in the footsteps of the Biblical prophets and of our Lord Jesus. This is not just a tour, for we will be pilgrims. The sites we visit will bring fresh insights, deeper understanding and spiritual renewal as we experience with our senses and in our souls the Land of the Holy One.
Together we will go to the places of Jesus’ birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection. Our experienced guide, Canon Iyad Qumri, a lifelong Episcopalian, will lead us in exploring ancient places, vibrant markets and modern museums in a land that is suspended between east and west, past and present.
Itinerary Highlights
- Jerusalem: the Old City, the City of David, the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Emmaus
- Bethlehem: Shepherds’ Field, the Church of the Nativity and Herodium
- Jordan River Valley: the Mount of the Beatitudes, a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Jericho and the Dead Sea, and the Mount of Temptation
- Nazareth: the Church of the Annunciation, Christ Episcopal Church and the ancient capital of Sepphoris
- Burqin and Nablus: the place where Jesus healed ten lepers, and the Church of St. Photini at the well where Jesus met the Samaritan woman
Accommodations
In Jerusalem, pilgrims will stay at St. George’s Cathedral Pilgrim House, on the grounds of the Episcopal Cathedral, a short walk from the Old City. In Nazareth, pilgrims will stay at the Sisters of Nazareth Convent and Guest House, next to the Basilica of the Annunciation and Christ Episcopal Church. Both have ensuite baths, free Wi-Fi and elevators.
Estimated Cost
The estimated cost is $6,000 per person (double occupancy). It includes round-trip coach airfare from Dulles to Tel Aviv, airport transfers and all ground transportation, guide and driver fees, accommodations, three meals a day, and entrance fees to museums and historic sites. A single room is an additional $560, and upgrades from coach are extra. The cost may come down depending on oil prices and the number of pilgrims.
An $800 deposit is due by January 25, 2027, and final payment is due April 20, 2027. Checks are payable to the Diocese of Virginia, with “2027 Holy Land Pilgrimage” in the memo line.
Preparing Together
Pilgrims agree to attend two preparation meetings: one on Zoom in February 2027 and one in person a few weeks before departure. Some walkways are uneven, and pilgrims will at times walk four to six blocks and climb one or two flights of stairs. Vegetarian, gluten-free and other dietary needs can be accommodated.
Learn More and Register
For more information and to register, contact the Pilgrimage Coordinator, the Rev’d Deborah Phillips, at fatherdeb@gmail.com, or call Bishop Harris’ office at 804-643-8451.
The full flyer includes details about the itinerary, accommodations, guides and travel in the Holy Land.