Leaving Nazareth, we went to Burqin and Taybeh. Jesus passed through Burqin on his way to Jerusalem from Nazareth. As he was passing through, he heard the cries of ten lepers who were quarantined in a cave. He healed them all, but only one returned to give thanks.
Burqin hosts one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, dating from the Byzantine Era, St. George’s Church. It is also known as the Church of the Ten Lepers. It is filled with beautiful icons, mosaics, and paintings. The Byzantine church was built over the cave where tradition says the lepers were staying. It was renovated in the 12th century during the Crusades and surrounded by a wall. Today it includes the lepers’ cave and an 18th century hall and nave.
After Birqin, we went on to Taybeh, the only 100% Christian town in Palestine. Taybeh means “goodly.” In the 4th century, the original St. George’s Church was built east of the town. In the 12th century, the Crusaders rebuilt the church attached to the first one. These lie in ruins on the outskirts of the town. The Crusaders also built the Castle of St. Elias to fortify the town.
In the ruins, a wide flight of steps leads up to an entrance, nave, two side chapels, and a baptistery with a well-preserved font.
In 1927 a Greek Orthodox church was built on the Byzantine one.
Taybeh is the place Jesus sought refuge shortly before his Crucifixion. The Gospel of John says the Jesus went to Taybeh–then called Ephraim–after he raised Lazarus to life and the Jewish authorities planned to put Jesus to death.
Taybeh is the home of Taybeh Brewery, one of the few breweries in Palestine. We had to visit there. They are expanded into wine as well.
