T
HEChurchoftheAnnunciation
is a RomanCatholicChurchin
thecityofNazarethinIsrael.
Thechurchis builtoverthesite
manybelieveis thehomeofMary,
motherofJesusChrist,wheretheangel
Gabrielappearedtoherandannounced
she’dbecomepregnantthroughtheHoly
Spirit.Forthisreasonit’sconsideredoneof
theworld’sholiestChristiansites.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Inpart1 ofourseriesonholyplaceswelookata fascinatingchurchinIsraelwhere
it’sbelieved Christianity started COMPILED BY JUDY PHILANDER INFOGRAPHICS: MICHAEL DE LUCCHI
THE ANNUNCIATION
The building commemorates the event known as
the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel appeared
to Mary and said to her she’d give birth to the Son
of God. She was told to name him Yeshua (the
Hebrew form of Jesus), which means “saviour”,
“because He will save His people from their sins”,
according to the Bible.
Mary tconsented with the words, “I am the Lord’s
servant,mayyourwordtomebefulfilled.”
PA RT
1 OF 4
LEVEL 1
This level is centred on a dimly lit cave called the
Grotto of the Annunciation. It’s considered the
holiest part of the site as this is believed to be the
remains of Mary’s childhood home and the site of
the Annunciation. The cave contains remnants of
earlier churches built on the site.
- Altar with inscription In the cave there’s an
altar with a Latin inscription, “Verbum caro hic
factum est”, which means, “Here the Word was
made flesh.” - Column This ancient column to the right of
the altar was probably placed there in the fourth
century to help support the roof but tradition
hasit thatthisisthespotwhereGabriel
appeared.
3.Mary’sKitchenThestairsbehindthealtarlead
toa smallcavenicknamed“Mary’skitchen”as
wellasanexit.
1
2
3
LEVEL 2
This is called Upper
Basilica and serves as
the local Catholic church.
It’s illuminated by natu-
ral light. One of the
biggest mosaics in the
world is located behind
themainaltar.
Onthewallsarevivid
mosaicsofMaryand
Jesusdonatedby
Catholiccommunities
aroundtheworld.At the top of the mosaic behind
the main altar is a triangle with
an eye inside representing the
all-seeing eye of God. Below it
is a dove symbolising the Holy
Spirit. Below that Jesus stands
next to St Peter holding keys.
Peter is believed to be the first
pope and he holds the keys to
the Kingdom of Heaven. Mary
sits on the left in a blue
garment.MAIN CHURCH ALTAR60 | 1 AUGUST 2019 http://www.drum.co.za DRUM INFO GRAPHICS, GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES, GALLO IMAGES/ALAMY