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Cats of the Holy Land

by Brooke Obie

There is so much to see, feel and experience in the Holy Land, which spans several countries and territories. The stray cats across the region were an added--though unexpected!--delight for me when I toured the Holy Land for Guideposts.org on a Collette travel agency tour. Check out these fun photos of cats in the Holy Land and learn about the sacred sites where these cats love to hang out. --Brooke Obie

Find out more about Guideposts' upcoming trips with Collette here.

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Stray cat in Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, Photo Credit: Brooke Obie

Ein Karem Cat

This little guy was curious about what was inside a tourist's backpack in front of the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Ein Karem, Jerusalem. The church is a Catholic church run by the Franciscan order that is built on top of what is believed to be the birthplace of John the Baptist.

Cat along the wall of Zechariah's Song, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Photo credit: Brooke Obie

Zechariah's Song Cat

This fella strolls along the wall around the Church of St. John the Baptist. The wall features mosaics in different languages from around the world of John the Baptist's father, Zechariah's song, from Luke 1:68-79, which details the prophecy of John as the one who will make way for his cousin, Jesus Christ.

Cat on a ledge of the Chapel of the Primacy, Photo credit: Brooke Obie

Chapel of the Primacy Cat

This cat stretches out on a ledge of the Chapel of the Primacy, built on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Tagbha, Israel, marking the spot where Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ in John 21.

Cat in a pile of shoes in Acre, Photo credit: Brooke Obie

White Market Acre Cat

In White Market in the village of Acre, this kitty curls up in a vendor's pile of shoes. In Acts 21:7, Luke, Paul and their compatriots spent a day in this city (once known as Ptolemais) visiting with other Christians.

Cat sits behind fence in Acre, Photo credit: Brooke Obie

Acre Park Cat

In a park in Acre, this cat sits behind a fence.

Cat on a street in Acre, Photo credit: Brooke Obie

Acre Street Cat

On a busy street in Acre, this cat finds rest against a wall.

Pool of Bethesda Cat

John 5 tells the story of Jesus healing a sick man at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. This cat was lounging around the ruins of the pool.

Capernaum Cat

Capernaum is an old fishing village by the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus' disciples Peter and Andrew, James and John once lived. Here, Jesus called these fishermen to follow him and become "fishers of men." This is also the location where Jesus healed Peter's sick mother-in-law. It's also where this cat enjoyed a backscratch from a tourist.

Ein Gev Cat

A lovely mediterranean restaurant right on the Sea of Galilee called Ein Gev serves a famous fried dish called St. Peter's Fish. No wonder this cat likes to hang around.