The first church on our pilgrimage was the Church of Multiplication located near Capernaum on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Our guide told us nearby are seven springs which provide abundant water. We sat in this garden where it is believed Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. In addition to the mosaic seen below, there is one on the floor in the church of fish and loaves. We heard the builders of the original church believed that Jesus stood here when he blessed the fish and loaves before feeding the people who came to hear him.
A large monastery and church were built in the 5th century and the church was most likely destroyed in 614 and rediscovered only in the 20th century. The land was bought to build a hotel for pilgrims and as they began digging they discovered evidence of an earlier church. In 1932 after nearly 1300 years two German archaeologists uncovered a number of the Byzantine church's walls and mosaics. In 1981 the church was finally restored saving portions of the original mosaics.
A large monastery and church were built in the 5th century and the church was most likely destroyed in 614 and rediscovered only in the 20th century. The land was bought to build a hotel for pilgrims and as they began digging they discovered evidence of an earlier church. In 1932 after nearly 1300 years two German archaeologists uncovered a number of the Byzantine church's walls and mosaics. In 1981 the church was finally restored saving portions of the original mosaics.