Nazareth
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31-OCT-2008
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The Franciscan church was demolished in 1955 for the construction of the present church, which was built over the Crusader and Byzantine foundations. It was consecrated in 1969.
31-OCT-2008
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Another view of the front of the church.
31-OCT-2008
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The front door to the lower part of the church.
31-OCT-2008
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Stained glass in the lower church.
31-OCT-2008
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A look at the upper church from the pews.
31-OCT-2008
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A good look at the fresco behind the Altar in the upper church.
31-OCT-2008
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The modern Church of the Annunciation is topped with a uniquely-shaped concrete dome 55 meters high. Its shape is based on the Madonna lily, a symbol of the Virgin Mary.
31-OCT-2008
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The spectacular stain glass at the back of the upper church.
31-OCT-2008
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Looking up at a chandelier and the interior dome in the upper church.
31-OCT-2008
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Painting on the side wall of the upper church.
31-OCT-2008
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The Altar of the upper church.
31-OCT-2008
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The Altar of the upper church with the skylight that looks down to the grotto below.
31-OCT-2008
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The lower church centers on the Grotto or Cave of the Annunciation, where the angelic announcement to Mary is believed to have occurred. Also visible down here are remains of the Byzantine and Crusader churches that preceded the present one.
31-OCT-2008
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Restoration work being done the Grotto in the lower church.
31-OCT-2008
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Looking up at the dome from the lower church. I'm standing at the edge of the Altar area. This church has two Altars, one above that celebrates the annunciation of Mary, the lower Altar is the grotto for the Annunciation.
31-OCT-2008
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The altar in the Grotto of the Annunciation.
31-OCT-2008
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This is one of the paintings in the upper church.
31-OCT-2008
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In every Israeli town you see Muslims going to prayer five times a day. Here a group of men are gathering for prayer.
31-OCT-2008
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You can see the Imam in the center of the image dressed in white robes. He leads the prayers. There are no women present in the public prayer sessions. It's a very different society.
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