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Jamaica Times report.
Jamaica Times, August 23, 1913.
A
PRIEST OF THE GREEK CHURCH.
FATHER RAPHAEL'S ADDRESS.
(BY OUR REPORTER)
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The Very Rev Father Raphael, Greek Orthodox Priest, of the Order of the Cross of Golgotha, and the first coloured man to bear
that distinction, gave on Wednesday night last week, an interesting address on his travels in the Holy Land.
He has been for 30 years a traveller. Two years he spent in Palestine, learning the ways of the people, and studying the
facts connected with the life of our Lord. His address showed how much he had learnt, and he led his hearers, as he talked,
from one place to another as though they were actually there with him.
He landed at Joppa on the sea-coast of Syria now known as Jaffa. There he saw the house of Simon the tanner, and a monastery
built on the spot where Tabitha was raised to life.
On the journey to Jerusalem he studied the manners of Eastern Shepherds. They wear bright dresses of various hues, so
as to be known by their flocks. In each flock there is always a specially marked sheep, that all the rest will follow, and
that one leads the others along (be there ever so many sheep) without mistake. The use of camels and asses is due to the fact
that the pathways are very rough, and as these animals are hardy, they are best suited for this locality.
At Jerusalem he went first to see the Holy Sepulchre. This is the Church built over the entire garden in which Jesus Christ
was buried. This large Church includes among others, the Chapel of Golgotha, the Chapel of Abraham where tradition says the
ram of Abrahams Sacrifice was caught, the [C]atholical Chapel, the Chapel of the Armenians, the Chapel of the Abyssinians,
the Chapel of Adams Skull and the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre. In the Mosque of Omar in the same City is suspended a stone,
which he examined, and for which he found no support whatever.
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On the mount around is Mt Zion. Excavations have been made showing facts connected with the life of David. Near-by is the
Via Dalarosa [sic], or way of sorrow
along which Jesus travelled to Golgotha, after he had been flogged.
Gethsemane was described as a village crowded with olive trees, where a Roman Catholic Church marks the spot where Jesus
left his three disciples, while a Convent of the same Religion shows where he prayed. An underground church is built where
the Virgin Mary was burried [sic]. The church of St. Mary Magdalene is also in Gethsamene.
In Bethany a monastery and church mark the place where Mary and Martha lived. On the road nearby is the tomb of Lazarus. Lazarus
it is stated became Bishop of Cyprus, and was buried in Larnaca. This spot is marked by a church.
According to tradition on Mt. Olivet Jesus footmarks are still to be seen on the spot from which he ascended into heaven.
Jericho remains a ruined city with many palm trees. A sycamore tree there is supposed to be the one into which Zaccheus
climbed. From Jericho the mountains of the temptations can be seen.
He went on the Jordan, and followed down to the Dead Sea. The water here is peculiar. It is very bitter, and leaves a
stain on the skin which takes a few days to wear off. To prove the fact that the water could be used, his two guides bathed
in it. However no fish can live in it. In the same valley are Sodom and Gomorrah.
A church stands where Mary the Virgin was met by Gabriel at a well in Nazareth; and a Greek Church shows where the synagogue
was that Jesus preached.
Capernaum is in ruins, with huge square stones, scattered around in abundance. On the road thither are Bethsaida and Nazareth.
The country he described on the whole as being filthy. The land he said is over-run with dogs, according to Mohammedan
custom.
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. . . a remarkable career
Site authored by Joy Lumsden, MA (Cantab), PhD (UWI).
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