Bucket List: Praying at the Basilica of the Annunciation

By tankstraveltales - March 31, 2020

Israel, Nazareth

Growing up in a family who was and still is predominantly Roman Catholic, I have always identified myself as Catholic even though I am not officially baptised as one. Wherever I travel, I would always ventured into a church to pray when the opportunity presented itself.

During a trip to Israel many years ago, I took the chance to book a day trip whose itinerary included a visit to the Church of the Annunciation. Also known as the Basilica of the Annunciation, the church is located in the city of Nazareth in the northern part of Israel. The story goes that this church was established at the very site where the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she would conceive and bear the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Church of the Annunciation (a.k.a. Basilica of the Annunciation), Nazareth, Israel (2002)

The current church is a double storey building constructed over the site of earlier churches from the Byzantine and Crusader eras. At the lower level of the church is the Grotto of the Annunciation. This was supposedly the site of the childhood home of the Virgin Mary and is thus also a historically significant site. For Catholics and Christians of other denominations, the reason of significance of this site is most likely religious. For people of other faiths, the reason of significance is likely to be its historical context. For me, it is both.

Grotto of the Annunciation, Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel (2002)

Narrow stairway leading to the lower levels of the site and church, Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel (2002)

Closeup photograph of a historical excavation site at the church, Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel (2002)

Taking time to walk around the church, I marvelled at the serene and tranquil surroundings. I prayed at several sites in and around the church, including at the Grotto of the Annunciation. To me, the visit allowed me to see and experience in person the actual site that I had always read about in the Bible.

This is a personal Bucket List item fulfilled. A fulfilment of spirit, soul and mind. I had prayed personally at a site scared to most Catholics and many other Christians of different denominations. I had also visited a historical site, fulfilling the scholarly aspect of my mind.