The
Church of the Beatitudes is a Roman Catholic church maintained and overseen by
the Franciscan Order, located by the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha and Capernaum
in Israel.
The
word ‘beatitudes’ originates from the Latin words “beati”, which means ‘blessed’, which is the prefix of each verse.
Location
The
traditional location for the Mount of Beatitudes is on the north western shore
of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Gennesaret (Ginosar). The actual
location of the Sermon on the Mount is not certain, but the present site (also
known as Mount Eremos) has been commemorated for more than 1600 years. The site
is very near Tabgha. Other suggested locations have included the nearby Mount
Arbel, or even the Horns of Hattin.
History
Located
on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and built on the traditional
site of Jesus delivery of the Sermon on the Mount. Pilgrims are known to have commemorated this
site since at least the 4th century.
The
current church sits near the ruins of a small Byzantine era church dating to
the late 4th century, which contains a rock-cut cistern beneath it and the
remains of a small monastery to its southeast. Part of the original mosaic
floor has also been recovered and is now on display in Capernaum.
Design and Construction
The
modern church was built between 1936 and 1938 near the site of the fourth
century Byzantine ruins. The floor plan is octagonal, the eight sides
representing the eight Beatitudes. The
church is Byzantine in style with a marble veneer casing the lower walls and
gold mosaic in the dome. In front of the church are mosaic symbols on the
pavement representing Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance, Faith, Hope,
and Charity.
The
ceiling walls have a shape of an octagon, and on each side there is a window
with one of the eight verses in Latin.
The
church was commissioned by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and designed by
the architect Antonio Barluzzi.
Biblical Account
1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went
up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and
he began to teach them.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they
will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will
inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and
thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they
will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for
they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult
you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great
is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who
were before you.
Source
:
1. Wikipedia
2.
Sacred Destinations.com
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