Basilica of the Annunciation (Nazareth)

The Basilique of the Annunciation , is a basilica Catholique set up in the middle of the 20th century with Nazareth, on the site that the Christian tradition, since the Byzantine time , associated with that of the appearance of the Archange Gabriel with Marie (LLC 1,26-38).

The Basilica of the Annonciation is largest of the churches of the the Middle East and one of the high places of Christendom. It was inaugurated in 1964 by the Pope Paul VI and was devoted in 1969 on the site of churches older, themselves built, as from the 4th century, on a cave identified like that of the Annunciation, at the place even where according to the Christian tradition the Archange Gabriel appeared with Marie to announce to him that it carried the child Jesus. During work, archaeological excavations took place and allowed the setting the day of the vestiges of a cross church (12th century), of a Byzantine church (5th century), like some vestiges perhaps dating from the 1st century, like foundations of dwellings, surfaces of storage, silos and presses with oil. The basilica was built in such way that it is possible to observe these archaeological remainders since the esplanade.

The basilica consists of two superimposed churches. In that located at the lower level, the “cave of the Annunciation is”, where Marie would have lived. In the church on the floor, where the catholic Christian community of Nazareth meets, like on the enclosing wall of the square of the basilica, one can admire beautiful contemporary frescos which come from many countries throughout the world and represent the Virgin and the Jesus child.

The construction of the international Marie de Nazareth, first center marial, international and multi-media Center, is currently in hand, with the foot of the Basilica of the Annunciation with the assistance of all the Christian Churches of Holy Land (five catholic, five orthodoxe and two Protestant) and some of the best specialists marials in the world. The purpose of it should open its doors in 2008 and is to present, in a space of 4.700 m ², rich and original contents to describe in simple terms, for the general public, the whole of the mystery of the Mère of God and to make us by her discover her Son, Jesus. A course in twenty-seven rooms will make it possible to read again the holy Histoire by the eyes of the Virgin Mary. The France is strongly implied in this project, since the originator, Olivier Bonassies is French. At the time of its visit in France, in October 2005, M {{gr.}} Marcuzo, the bishop of Nazareth recalled that “during centuries France was the " protective of the holy Places " and that this project falls under this beautiful tradition”.

External bonds

To read the short speech pronounced by the pope Paul VI, at the time of its visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation with Nazareth on Sunday, January 5, 1964: HTTP: /www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/speeches/1964/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19640105_nazareth_fr.html

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