Where Jesus Withdrew

This is the baptismal font of the 4th century where we read the Gospel of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

Tabgha. The early Judean Christian community maintained this was the lonely place on the shore to which Jesus withdrew.

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. ~Matthew 14:13-14

Past the walls of the church was where Matthew collected taxes.

The church is a classical byzantine church. The bare apse emphasizes the altar.

In front of the altar is the 5th century loaves and fishes mosaic. This prefigures the Eucharist.

People in adoration.

A large group of Russian seminarians adore Our Lord.

The floor mosaic depicts a free standing Nilotic landscape. This is a meter measuring the water level of Nile river.

The geometric floor mosaics.