The Church of the Beatitudes is a Roman Catholic church located on the Mount of Beatitudes by the Sea of Galilee near Tabgha and Capernaum, the traditional “mount” on which Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
Near the Church of the Mount of Beatitudes, there is also a hostel of Franciscan nuns, a garden, and a farm belonging to the Italian Mission in Israel. Up the mountain, on Tarshon Hill, which rises to a height of 142 meters, lies the Domos Galilee International Center. The church was built between 1936 and 1938 by the architect Antonio Berlusconi. Both Popes Paul VI and John Paul II celebrated Mass at the church during their pastoral visits to the Holy Land (in 1964 and 2000 respectively).
Mount of Beatitudes
Mount Nahum, also known as Mount of Beatitudes (“Blessed Mountain” in Latin) is located north of the Sea of Galilee, about one and a half kilometers northeast of Capernaum Junction. The mountain rises to a height of 150 meters above the Sea of Galilee (about 60 meters below sea level), and from its top, descends steeply to Ein Sheva.
According to the New Testament, the Mount of Beatitudes is the place where Jesus delivered the “Sermon on the Mount,” which included the tenets of his teachings. The mountain is also the area where the twelve disciples were chosen by Jesus.
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. Christian pilgrims are known to have commemorated this location since at least the 4th century. In her itinerary of the Holy Land, after describing the Church of the Loaves and Fishes, the pilgrim Egeria (ca. 381 CE) writes, “Near there on a mountain is the cave to which the Savior climbed and spoke the Beatitudes.”
Other suggested locations for the Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount have included the nearby Mount Arbel or even the Horns of Hattin.
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount occupies chapters 5,-7 of the Gospel of Matthew, and has been one of the most widely quoted elements of the Canonical Gospels.
The Sermon is set early in the Ministry of Jesus after he has been baptized by John the Baptist in chapter 3 of the Gospel of Matthew, gathered his first disciples in chapter 4, and had returned from a long fast and contemplation in the Judaean Desert.
Before this event, Jesus had been preaching “all about Galilee”, and “great crowds followed him”. The setting for the sermon is given in Matthew 5:1-2. Jesus sees the multitudes, goes up into the mountain, followed by his disciples, and begins to preach. The sermon opens with the famous eight verses of “Blessed”:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5: 3-10
The Sermon is brought to its close by Matthew 8:1, which reports that Jesus “came down from the mountain followed by great multitudes”.
Church of the Beatitudes
A Byzantine church was erected lower down the slope from the current site in the 4th century, and it was used until the 7th century. Remains of a cistern and a monastery are still visible. The modern church was built between 1936 and 1938 near the site of the fourth-century Byzantine ruins.
The floor plan is octagonal, as customary in churches that commemorate a founding event, with the eight sides representing the eight Beatitudes. It stands on a large rectangular podium that is surrounded on all sides by a portico that allows a view of the Sea of Galilee and the sites where Jesus lived and operated. The porch has nine arches on each side, except for the north side, where the entrance building to the church stands. The section of the porch that surrounds it has seven arches, with the central arch being higher and wider than the others, and leading to the entrance. These numbers have a numerological meaning – the number 7 symbolizes the order of things, 8 the miraculous, and 9 the completeness.
The structure is built in Neo-Byzantine style with black marvel combined with white stone, in a manner that reflects the surrounding basalt and limestone landscapes, and it bears a copper dome. The interior of the church is simply designed and is divided by eight arches into the central area and the passage around it. The walls of the church are white and smooth, and the lower part is covered with colored marble where elongated and simple rectangular windows are fixed.
The eight windows are made of stained glass and have the eight verses of “Blessed” written on them, in Latin. The interior of the dome is made of a gilded mosaic and is illuminated by eight additional windows at its base. The altar is made of white and black marble and stands on a two-step platform in the center of the church. On the floor of the church, around the altar, is a mosaic floor. Symbols on the pavement represent Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance, Faith, Hope, and Charity. At the entrance to the church are two commemorative plaques, one in English and the other in Latin, marking the visit of Pope Paul VI to the site.
In 1983, a large mosaic floor was laid in the plaza in front of the church, showing medallions made of intertwining vine branches. The medallions depict various Christian saints and biblical and historical figures. The gates of Jerusalem also appear in the mosaic, and eight verses of “Blessed” are surrounded by bouquets of flowers carried by angels. Around the building is a large garden with seating areas for ceremonies, which overlooks the view of the Sea of Galilee. Sculptures are placed in the garden, and plaques bearing the “Blessed” verses.
Domus Galilaeae
Not far from the Church of the Beatitudes is Domus Galilaeae (House of Galilee), which is located on the peak of Mount of Beatitudes, above and north of Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee. It is a Christian meeting place used for seminars and conventions, run by the Neocatechumenal Way, an association of the Christian faithful within the Catholic Church.
The purpose of the center is to study the tradition of Israel as a source of Christianity and its rituals, with the aim of deepening the connection between Christianity and Judaism, as well as delving into the Sermon on the Mount in light of Jewish tradition and liturgy. In other words, following the footsteps of early Christian saints “who returned to their Hebrew roots to understand the meaning of prayer, of feasts, and Hebrew liturgies”.
The building was constructed in a short period of time, with the first stone being laid in January 1999 and the opening of the site taking place in 2000. It was inaugurated by Pope John Paul II during his visit to the Holy Land, in which he said he hoped it would become a place for interreligious dialogue. He emphasized the need to appreciate Jewish roots in order to live out authentic Christianity, explicitly endorsed the continuing life and vitality of the Jewish faith, and prayed for Jewish continuance. The center began operating in 2003.
The area of the building is 12,000 square meters and it stands in a mansion that covers an area of 33 dunams. The structure is divided into three levels. On the upper level are an auditorium (gathering center), a church, a synagogue, a library defined as a theological library under the auspices of the Vatican that combines Christian and Jewish religious books with 12 chairs as the number of tribes of Israel standing around a Torah scroll. On the two lower levels are one hundred living rooms, with two hundred accommodations in total.
Church of the Beatitudes Opening Hours
The Church of the Mount of Beatitudes is open every day between 8:00-11:45 and 14:00-16:45.
During Holy Thursday and December 31th, the site is only open in the morning. Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, January 1st – it is closed.
Church of the Beatitudes Entrance Fee
Entrance to the Church of the Beatitudes is free, but parking at the site will cost you money. Bus parking costs NIS 30, and a private is NIS 10.
It is recommended to confirm opening hours and fees on the official Church’s website before visiting.