Overview

A charming family in the fishing village of Kursi, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, in the 5th century, is getting ready to celebrate their son's tenth birthday. On this occasion, the young boy can finally learn the awesome, terrifying tale which makes his hometown famous (based on Matthew 5; Mark 8; Luke 8). His father, a local mosaic artist, reveals the secret of the miraculous healing done by Jesus there. The spiritual ministry of Jesus began in the fishing villages around the Sea of Galilee. On the eastern shore, a few hours' walk from Capernaum, his base of operations, ruins of a settlement have been found, along with a fishermen's wharf from the Byzantine Era. According to researchers, this site is to be identified with 'Gergesa' or the 'Country of the Gergesenes', which is mentioned in the New Testament. Over the years, the place became known as Kursi. In this area, according to Matthew 5, Mark 8 and Luke 8, Jesus demonstrated his power and healed a man possessed by demons. The demons left the man and entered a nearby herd of swine, which in terror ran down the slope to drown in the sea. The man who was cured then spread the story about the wonders of Jesus. In a certain sense, we may say that this man was Jesus' first missionary.At this location, surrounded by high basalt stones, ruins of an impressively large basilica were found, alongside an expansive monastery including a dormitory, public buildings, a bathhouse, an olive press and a guesthouse. The ruins are dated to the 5th century, testifying to a Christian community living in the same place where a Jewish community existed in the time of Jesus. On the hillside above the ruins of the church, a giant rock protrudes, alongside the ruins of a small chapel. Tradition identifies this as the spot where Jesus met the man possessed by demons. However, Kursi's main claim to fame is the beautiful mosaic floors found there. The mosaic artist of Kursi, in the 5th century, excelled at depicting local scenes of nature: fish, birds, plants, fruits. The most famous mosaic depicts a basket and two doves. It is worth noting that the surviving mosaics do not depict the tale related in the New Testament. As the mosaics show some signs of damage throughout the centuries, there is reason to hypothesize that such a mosaic did exist at one point. (Keep in mind that both Muslims and Jews consider pigs unclean.) The settlement survived until a massive earthquake hit the Galilee in 749. The site is now maintained by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority as the Kursi National Park. Annually, it is visited by tens of thousands of tourists and pilgrims, who enjoy a fascinating and inspiring experience. The spiritual ministry of Jesus began in the fishing villages around the Sea of Galilee. On the eastern shore, a few hours' walk from Capernaum, his base of operations, ruins of a settlement have been found, along with a fishermen's wharf from the Byzantine Era. According to researchers, this site is to be identified with 'Gergesa' or the 'Country of the Gergesenes', which is mentioned in the New Testament. Over the years, the place became known as Kursi. In this area, according to Matthew 5, Mark 8 and Luke 8, Jesus demonstrated his power and healed a man possessed by demons. The demons left the man and entered a nearby herd of swine, which in terror ran down the slope to drown in the sea. The man who was cured then spread the story about the wonders of Jesus. In a certain sense, we may say that this man was Jesus' first missionary.At this location, surrounded by high basalt stones, ruins of an impressively large basilica were found, alongside an expansive monastery including a dormitory, public buildings, a bathhouse, an olive press and a guesthouse.Kursi's Secret allows the young reader to encounter, in a friendly and attractive way, the biblical narrative and its setting almost two millennia ago.

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