Field Notes: Mount Tabor

Mount Tabor rises prominently out of the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. In the Old Testament, it served as a gathering point for Israelite forces when Barak assembled troops to face Sisera’s army (Judges 4:5-14). In Christian tradition, Mount Tabor is often identified as the site of the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed His glory to … Read more

Sorting Out the Herods

Herod The Great Herod Archelaus Herod Antipas Herod Philip (Philip the Tetrarch) Herod Agrippa I Herod Agrippa II After absorbing this and checking out some of the links, you could do this quiz to see if it stuck!

Field Notes: Herod Agrippa I

Herod Agrippa was a grandson of Herod the Great and the son of Aristobulus IV. Unlike the earlier division of his grandfather’s kingdom among several sons, Agrippa eventually ruled over nearly the entire territory that Herod the Great had once controlled. Agrippa first received territory in 37 AD, when the Roman emperor Caligula granted him … Read more

Field Notes: Herod Archelaus

Herod Archelaus was one of the very many whole-lotta sons of Herod the Great. When his father died in 4BC, the kingdom was divided among several of his sons, who ruled their territories simultaneously. Archelaus was given control of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. Unlike his father, Archelaus did not hold the title of “King” but … Read more

Only Four Major Basilicas

There are only four churches in the world designated as major basilicas by the Pope, and all of them are located in Rome. St. Peter’s BasilicaSt. Paul Outside the WallsSt. John Lateran (named for both John the Baptist and John the Evangelist)St. Mary Major (named for Mary, mother of Jesus) Read the bullets on each … Read more