In 1854, the archimandrite Irinarch, a native of Moldova, the monk of the monastery of Sabbas the Sanctified, had a vision according to which he settled on Mount Tabor and, together with Hierodeacon Nestor, discovered and rebuild the church dated to the period of the Byzantine Empire. Irinarch died in 1959 on Christmas eve at the age of 93. His grave is located on top of a mountain. The church was completed and consecrated in 1962. It contains fragments of the Byzantine church and part of an ancient mosaic. There are three apsides in the Temple, corresponding to gospel traditions. The central one in honor of the Transfiguration, the southern one in honor of Moses and Elijah, the northern one in honor of Saint George and Demetrius of Thessaloniki. There is also a convent in which the miraculous icon of Mary, mother of Jesus, is kept. According to later legend, the monastery stands on the site of an ancient cave temple founded by Melchizedek.
A visit to Mount Tabor is beautiful all year, but in the spring, it is unique. The lush green grass, the thunderclouds, the bright sun, and the fresh wind seem to recreate the miracle of the Transfiguration. The nature reserve of the mountain, ancient history, and the stone ruins of the Crusaders immerses us in a unique cocktail of nature, history, and faith.
Mount Tabor, located in Israel, is an important religious site for Christians, particularly Catholics. Its opening hours are usually 8 AM to 11:45 AM and 2 PM to 5 PM. However, please note that the site may be closed or have different hours during Catholic holidays. Therefore, checking with local authorities or the site manager for the most up-to-date information on opening hours and closures is always best.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
