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Jesus in Phoenicia, Lebanon
Let us then follow the footsteps of Jesus in Lebanon.
In Galilee (March, the year 28 A.D.)
At the time of Jesus' birth, Galilee was the northernmost of the three divisions of Palestine west of the River Jordan, with its borders extending as far as Phoenicia. Galilee comprised a mix of races and religious beliefs. Here the Jews lived in Greek or Roman settlements, among Arabs, Syrians and ethic Mesopotamians, as well as with the indigenous Canaanites and Phoenicians.
Because the Jews considered this proximity with other peoples "unclean," the Roman historian Pliny (V, 14) noted that the Jews of Judea harboured a real contempt for the Galileans. The most distant part of this province of Palestine was even known as the "Galilee of Nations", that is, of non-Jews.
Thanks to the influence of the Phoenicians, a mercantile people, the Jews of Galilee were generally regarded as comfortably well off.
Cana of Galilee
Near the Lebanese city of Tyre is a village named Cana of Galilee. According to well established tradition dating to the first church historian, Eusibius of Caesarea, and to Saint Jerome, this is the site of Jesus' first miracle.
The Virgin Mary, Jesus and his disciples were in Cana for a wedding, according to the gospel of St. John (John 2). Mary noticed that the wine had run out, and before the guests were aware of the situation, she told her son. "There is no more wine." Jesus replied: "What do you want from me, Woman, my hour has not yet come." But the Virgin Mary gave orders to the servants: "Whatever he says to you, do it." The rest of the story is well known. The water was changed into a wine better that the one served first, much to the surprise of the host. To Jesus' disciples the miracle represented an important sign of things to come.
In Galilee (Summer, 28 A.D.)
The Gospel of Saint John records a second miracle performed by Jesus at Cana of Galilee. A nobleman from Capernaum went to Cana to ask Jesus to go there and cure his son, who was gravely ill.
“Lord, come down or my small child will die!" the nobleman said. Jesus answered: "Go, your son lives." The next day, on the way back home, the man was met by his servants who announced that the child was safe and well. (John 4)
Cana of Galilee is also the village of Natheniel (John 1) one of Jesus' first disciples. This is probably the apostle Bartholomew of the synoptic Gospels.
At Tyre, Sidon (Saida) and Sarepta
Archaeological evidence and Phoenician inscriptions show that at the time of Jesus, Tyre was a cosmopolitan port at the peak of its economic prosperity. Less affluent, the port town of Sidon nevertheless retained the memory of its period as "Sidon the Great." In both cities, Jewish communities pursued their industrious activities up until the modern era.
Jesus brought the new religion to the Jewish communities who lived among the many pagan populations in these areas. Biblical commentators note that he often came to the region of Tyre and Sidon in order to escape the provocations and trick questions of the Pharisees and Sadducees. There, he could rest and enjoy a moment of peace. It was probably for this reason that he asked his Jewish hosts and his disciples not to reveal where he was.
The Gospels of Saint Mark and Saint Matthew, however, include a local tradition, which puts Jesus in the presence of a Canaanite or Syro Phoenician woman. Learning that Jesus was in the area, this woman asked him to cure her daughter, who was seriously troubled. She did this despite Jesus' wish for peace and quiet. Christ publicly praised the words of faith and the persistence of this woman, and her prayer was answered.
It was in the same spirit that Jesus showed his personal sympathy for the people of Tyre and Sidon. He praised their readiness to confess their sins even though they had not seen the signs and miracles of Jesus that had taken place in Jewish towns such as Chorazein or Bethsaida (Mark 8 and Matthew 15).
Jesus also visited Sarepta, modern Sarafand. Located between Tyre and Sidon, this town was a natural stop for a traveller between the two cities. Speaking to the Jews in Nazareth, Jesus referred to an episode in the life of Elias that took place in Sarepta: "I say unto you, there were surely many widows in Israel in the days of Elias ... when great famine was throughout all the land. But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow." (Luke 4:25-26)
In Traehonitide (August, September, the year 29 A.D.)
The Roman province of Trachonitide was located in a sandy region north of Palestine near the anti Lebanon mountains. This was the site of Caesarea Philippi, a Roman city built at the foot of Mount Hermon. Not far away was the Lebanese town of marjeyoun, or "Plain of springs," which was a geographical extension of Caesarea Philippi.
Caesarea Philippi, built by Herod Philippe in honour of the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus Octavian, was also called the "City of God" because of its splendid temples and buildings, its springs and lush orchards. Of its former magnificence, however, only a few abandoned stones remain today.
The region of Caesarea Philippi played an important role in the public life of Jesus. It was here that he sought refuge after John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod Antipas, although he did not enter the village of Caesarea itself
This region was to be the scene of three important events:
1. Peter's profession of faith. It was in the area of Caesarea Philippi that Jesus founded the Church and gave the apostle Simon, son of Jonas, the name Peter (in Aramaic "Kepha.," rock and in Greek "Petros"). Here too, he conferred upon Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus made his apostle the rock of his future church and pronounced the words that would have so much resonance for the future: "You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church." (Aramaic "kneset," in Greek "ekklesia," the word means "assembly".) (Matthew 16).
The Church of St. Peter of the Promise in Marjeyoun is testimony to the importance of this region in the life of Jesus.
2. The first announcement of the Passion. At a crucial moment, when he had just obtained from Peter the first profession of faith in his messianic role, Jesus announced his Passion for the first time. He revealed to the apostles that the hour of supreme sacrifice was near, and that he would have to go to Jerusalem to be arrested, judged and condemned, and then to rise the third day. Not understanding these words, the apostles remained dumbfounded at what they had heard. Peter's reaction earned him a severe reprimand. (Mark 8).
3. The Transfiguration. According to most modem exegeses, it was high on Mount Hermon in the Anti Lebanon range (the sacred mountain of the pagans, and a venerable place in biblical tradition) that Jesus was transfigured. The Transfiguration took place before the apostles Peter, James and John six days after the first announcement of the Passion. During the Transfiguration, which was to prepare their faith for the coming crucifixion, the apostles saw Jesus talking with Moses and the prophet Elias. This mystery was so new and so profound, that as with the announcement of the Passion, the disciples did not understand its significance.
Am important miracle, the cure of an epileptic, took place immediately after Jesus descended from the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17)
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TRAVEL LEBANON > FROM THE BIBLE 
