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Mount
Tavor
North
of the valley, Mount Tavor rises to an altitude of 560 meters. Everywhere
else in the world, it would pass for a mound; in this country where
historic memories magnify the sites, it resembles a solitary dome that
overlooks the surroundings, visible from all parts. From the summit,
the view is striking; to the north, Lake Tiberias stretches out from
the foot of Mount Hermon; to the south, the Samarian Mountains overlap
towards Jerusalem; to the west, the imposing Carmel. The Tavor – Atabyrion
in Greek – has always harbored a pagan sanctuary consecrated to the
Semitic god known by the Greek name of Zeus Atayros. The Arabs call
it djebel Torr or the Taurus Mountain. Following the tradition of Saint
Cyril, the bishop of Jerusalem, Christianity considers the Tavor to
be the site of the transfiguration of Jesus:
After
six days, Jesus took Peter, James and John, his brother, and led
them up a high mountain, apart. He was transfigured before them:
his face shone like the sun and his clothing became as white as
light. Moses and Elie appeared to them, talking with him. Peter
spoke to Jesus and said: « Lord, it is good for us to be here;
if you will, I will set up three tents here: one for you, one
for Moses and one for Elie.» While he was still speaking, a bright
cloud overshadowed them. And behold a voice from the cloud said:
« This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Hear him!
» When the disciples heard [this], they fell with their faces
down to the ground and were overcome with fear. But Jesus came
and touched them and said: « Rise and do not fear! » And when
they lifted up their eyes, they saw only Jesus. As they came down
from the mountain, Jesus charged them saying: « Do not speak with
anyone about this vision until the Son of man be risen from the
dead. »
Matthew
17: 1 – 9
The transfiguration,
which represents mystical union with the divine, is one of the fundamental
themes of the theology and the iconography of the Eastern Church.
In the following passage, Mark Twain (1835 – 1910), describes the
panorama before him from the heights of the Tavor during a visit
at the beginning of the 20th century:
| From
the heights of the Tavor |
The
Tavor stands alone like a giant sentry who guards the Plain of Esdraelon.
It rises to an altitude of about one thousand four hundred feet,
a veritable cone, wooded and green, symmetric and graceful – an
imposing signpost that is particularly pleasant to eyes saturated
with the tiresome monotony of the Syrian Desert. We climb the steep
path that leads to the summit, clearing a pass through the oaks
and avoiding the thorns. The view it offers is simply marvelous.
Down below, the large Plain of Esdraelon extends completely flat,
textured by fields located on the same level and offering the same
tone; its borders are dotted with clusters of white villages, lightly
marked here and there with the concave lines of its roads and its
railways. Adorned with the rich verdure of spring, it makes a charming
painting. The « Little Hermon » runs along its southern border with
the outline of the Gilboa standing over it. We can still see the
village of Nain, renowned for the resurrection of the Son of the
widow, as well as Ein Dor, no less renowned for the prowess of its
sorceress. To the east, the Jordan Valley spreads out and further
away are the Gilboa Mountains. To the west is Mount Carmel. To the
north are the Hermon – the Bashan Plateaus – Safed, the holy city,
sparkling white above the long mountain range, wedged against the
mountains of Lebanon, the blue steel corner of Lake Tiberias, the
Horns of Hittine, the traditional Beatitudes Mountain, the mute
witness to the battle of the brave Crusaders…
M. Twain, The Innocents Abroad
The
first basilica on the Tavor was built during the Byzantine period
(before 422). From 1100 to 1187, a Benedictine community comes to
the mountain with the Crusaders. The Hospitalers again secure control
of it from 1255 to 1268. In 1873, the Franciscans begin work on
the foundations of the ancient basilica: their church, which was
designed by the architect, Antonio Barluzzi in the style of those
built in Syria from the 4th to the 6th century, will not be inaugurated
until 1924. The first chapel, which is at the end of the church,
is consecrated to Jesus. Some stairs lead to an altar surrounded
by walls that date back to the time of the Crusades. Two other chapels,
one in the right tower, the other in the left, are respectively
dedicated to Elie and Moses. In 1911, a Greek Orthodox monastery
that is dedicated to the prophet Elie is built on the emplacement
of the Crusader’s fortress. In 1901, the village, kfar Tavor is
established at the foot of the mountain.
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