The Mount of Beatitudes refers to a hill where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. The beatitudes (blessings), 9 in number, are documented in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. - Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake"
(Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6).
The present site (also known as Mount Eremos) has been commemorated for more than 1600 years. As Murphy-O'Connor puts it, from here "one can see virtually all the places in which Jesus lived and worked". A Byzantine church was erected near the current site in the 4th century, and it was used until the 7th century. Ruins of the 4th Cent Church have been discovered downhill from the present church. Remains of a cistern and a monastery are still visible. The current Roman Catholic Franciscan chapel was built in 1938. The beautiful basilica was designed by famed Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi, who has designed many other beautiful Churches in Israel. However, alternative views place Mount Beatitudes at Mount Arbel, or the Horns of Hattin, near the Sea of Galilee.
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