The Eastern Cross/Orthodox World/The life of Christ

The life of Christ
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Journey

The life of Christ

c. 4 BC – AD 33 · 21 stops

From the Annunciation in Nazareth to the Ascension on the Mount of Olives, as the Gospels tell it.

    1. Nazareth

      The Archangel Gabriel greets the Virgin Mary: “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” She answers, “Let it be to me according to your word.”

      Luke 1:26–38
    2. Ein Karem

      Mary visits her kinswoman Elizabeth, and the baby John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb.

      Luke 1:39–56
    3. Bethlehem

      Christ is born in a cave and laid in a manger. Angels sing to the shepherds, and the Magi come from the East with gifts.

      Luke 2:1–20; Matthew 2:1–12
    4. Egypt

      Warned in a dream, Joseph takes the Child and His Mother to Egypt to escape Herod. Coptic tradition remembers their stay in Old Cairo.

      Matthew 2:13–15
    5. The Temple, Jerusalem

      At twelve, Jesus stays behind in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. “Did you not know I must be in my Father’s house?”

      Luke 2:41–52
    6. The Jordan

      John baptizes Christ in the Jordan. The heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father says, “This is my beloved Son.”

      Matthew 3:13–17
    7. Mount of Temptation

      Christ fasts forty days in the wilderness and refuses the devil’s three temptations.

      Matthew 4:1–11
    8. Cana

      At a wedding, at His Mother’s request, Christ turns water into wine, the first of His signs.

      John 2:1–11
    9. Capernaum

      Christ makes His home here. He calls Peter, Andrew, James and John from their nets, heals the paralytic let down through the roof, and teaches in the synagogue.

      Mark 1:16–2:12
    10. Mount of Beatitudes

      The Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” He teaches the Lord’s Prayer.

      Matthew 5–7
    11. Tabgha

      With five loaves and two fish Christ feeds five thousand people on the shore.

      Mark 6:30–44
    12. Sea of Galilee

      Christ calms the storm and walks on the water, and Peter steps out to meet Him.

      Matthew 14:22–33
    13. Mount Tabor

      Christ is transfigured before Peter, James and John, His face shining like the sun, with Moses and Elijah beside Him.

      Matthew 17:1–9
    14. Bethany

      Christ weeps at the tomb of His friend Lazarus and raises him after four days.

      John 11
    15. Mount of Olives

      On a donkey Christ rides down into Jerusalem as crowds wave palms: “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

      Matthew 21:1–11
    16. The Upper Room

      At the Last Supper Christ washes His disciples’ feet and gives them His Body and Blood.

      John 13; Luke 22:7–20
    17. Gethsemane

      Christ prays in agony, “Not my will but Yours be done,” and Judas betrays Him with a kiss.

      Luke 22:39–53
    18. Golgotha

      Christ is crucified, dies and is buried in a nearby tomb. On the third day the tomb is empty: He is risen.

      John 19–20
    19. Emmaus

      The risen Christ walks with two disciples, and they recognise Him in the breaking of the bread.

      Luke 24:13–35
    20. Shore of Galilee

      By the lake the risen Lord cooks breakfast for His disciples and asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”

      John 21
    21. Mount of Olives, Ascension

      Forty days after Pascha, Christ blesses the disciples and ascends into heaven.

      Acts 1:6–12

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