Caesarea Philippi and Lunch-St. Peter's Fish (H)

This area 40km north of the Sea of Galilee  is known as Banias, an Arabic pronunciation of Panias because there is no "p" in Arabic. It is located in the Golan Heights up near Syria. This name, Banias, honored the Greek god Pan-a half man, half goat often depicted playing a flute. This god was worshiped here.

 Tombs of the Sacred Goats, part of the pagan ritual concerning the half goat status of Banias.

Some uncovered Ruins

When Jesus passed this way, the area was ruled by Herod's son Philip. who renamed the city Caesarea.  To distinguish it from the coastal Caesarea, it became Caesarea Philippi. The city was built near the Banias Springs, which gushes from a massive rock and flows into one of the streams that form the Jordan river. Caesarea Philippi is the northernmost area of Christ's ministry. This is where Jesus announced He would establish a church and gave authority to the apostle Simon-whom He named Peter after Peter correctly identified who Christ was, through revelation from Heavenly Father, and Christ said that upon that rock of revelation He would build his Church, and established the method through which people are to gain true testimonies of Christ.   Matt 16: 13-19

 Banias Springs  This is a beautiful area in the headwaters of the Jordan River with many trails  surrounded by trees and scenic waterfalls.

Time for lunch

St. Peter's Fish or Tilapia is  popular around the Sea of Galilee.

We enjoyed the delicious pita bread and hummus while waiting for our meal.

Lots of wonderful tasting Israeli salads

Ron's choice--not sure what, but it tasted like lamb patties.

Grilled St. Peter's Fish, a fovorite fish of the Sea of Galilee

The owner of the restaurant showing Kathy how to debone her fish.

Enjoying our Food

Felafel,  fried balls of ground chickpeas served with hummus

Don was successful in deboning his fish

Kissing the head of a St. Peter's Fish  
While telling about  the fish, the owner  kissed the fish so for some weird reason I wanted a photo of me doing the same.

Fresh Dates tasted so, so good!

The bus that took us everywhere.