Day 1 - Sept 29 (Tuesday)

Arrived at Tel Aviv, were met at the airport by Sister Natalia and drove in the Spring Tours bus by Joseph to Gorninsky Monastery of Russian Ecclesiastical Mission.

We are staying in the Gorninsky Monastery which is the site of the house of Elizabeth and Zacharias. Virgin Mary came here after Annunciation, to stay with her cousin Elizabeth. It took her 5 days to come here from Nazareth, so the Monastery is celebrating its feast day 5 days after Annunciation.

Today is September 28, 2015. I'm waiting to board the plane to Tel Aviv for my second trip to the Holy Land. This time, instead of an American group, I'm joining Orthodox pilgrims from Europe, mostly from a parish in Amsterdam where Fr. Meletios now lives and serves. He is leading the English speaking group. I am really looking forward to seeing Fr. Meletios and to meeting new friends on this trip.

So far the trip is a wonderful as can be. At the Newark airport I was able to find the little "prayer chapel" with the most beautiful icon of the Lord. Let's see if I can figure out how to attach it here :-)
(typing this on my phone as our flights departure seems to be delayed slightly).
Well, I am not able to get to the latest photos on my phone, but I found this one while browsing...