| The area of Tabgha
is mostly defined by the Church of the Multiplication of
the Loaves and Fishes and is frequently visited by pilgrims
and visitors today. Located along the northwestern shore
of the Lake Kinneret, it has been disputed amongst scholars
whether this is the actual location where the miracle took
place. It is written that Jesus crossed over to the Eastern
shore with his disciples to have some time to contemplate
and pray, where 5,000 followers already awaited him to hear
him preach and witness his miracles. As it became more and
more dangerous in the following centuries for pilgrims to
travel to the Eastern shore, the miracle is said to have
been “relocated” to the Western and more accessible
shore.
It is here where the ruins of several old churches were
found. The first church was erected by Constantine the Great
around 350 A.C. This church was destroyed by an earthquake
in the region and in the middle of the 5th century a new
church was built on its ruins. It was constructed in form
of an atrium which was unusual for the time, as mostly basilica
type churches were built in that era. The most precious
aspect of the church was a sophisticated mosaic in front
of the altar, which depicts the multiplication of the loaves
and fishes. This mosaic even survived another earthquake
which led to the complete destruction of the atrium. Today
the mosaic is one of the most well-preserved mosaics in
the country and protected by a new church with a beautiful
courtyard and old olive trees.
Just a hundred meters north of the Church of the Multiplication
of the Loaves and Fishes, one finds the Church of the Primacy
of St. Peter. It is believed that Jesus appeared here a
third time after his resurrection creating another miracle
for the disciples catching fish on the lake.
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