The Carmelite order began with 12th century religious hermits, who, imitating the prophet Elijah who sometimes took refuge in a cave, organized themselves in caves on the Carmel Mountain in Haifa during the Crusader occupation.
Migdala
In 2009, when a synagogue from the Second Temple period was discovered at Migdala, the site just north of the Sea of Galilee, it became an attraction for both Christian and Jewish visitors to Israel. The first seven-branched menorah decoration from that period was exposed at the Migdala archaeological site, making it even more meaningful. There are only six synagogues in the world from the Second Temple period, making Migdala an important religious site for the Christian pilgrims who trek to Migdala because if its being the birthplace of Mary Magdalene.
Migdala was the only village established on the shore of the Sea of Galilee just west of the modern Tiberius-Rosh Pina road. At the time of its establishment Migdala served as the administrative center of the region until Tiberius was founded in 19 C.E. Archaeologists uncovered remains of the mosaic floor of a fisherman’s boat in the remains of the village dating from the time of Jesus when it was a fishing village as well as a Byzantine period monastery.
The ancient church is now controlled by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. Excavations continue and there are plans underway for the development of a Christian-oriented hotel and resort. Being a site with a shared history – like so many others in Israel – there is a plan in the works to build a center dedicated to dialogue and understanding.
