TABGHA or EIN SHEVA-the traditional site of Jesus' miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes

The name Tabgha is an Arabic corruption of the Greek word Heptapagon which means "seven springs." It was a popular fishing spot from ancient times because of its famous "warm seven springs". The seven springs (today only six have been discovered) produced water warmer than that of the Sea of Galilee. This warmer water helped the production of algae, which in turn attracted the fish. Fishermen thus have frequented this area for thousands of years.

Tabgha is the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. It is the only miracle of Jesus described in all the four gospels (Mathew14:15-21, Mark 6:30-46, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:5-14). "And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude". (Matthew. 14:19). It is also the place where Jesus appeared the third time after his resurrection (John 21:1-24). Tabgha is the traditional location for the calling of the disciples (Mathew 4:19; Mark 1:17). It is believed that here Jesus walked along the shore and called out to Simon Peter and Andrew who were casting their nets into the lake; and later James and John. The rock where Jesus stood and called out to the disciples are still visible. It was on this beach, that He promised His disciples to make them "fishers of men." (Matt 4:18-19). Tradition also asserts Tabgha as the solitary place where Jesus went to pray. "So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place" (Mark 6:32). Today, there are two churches to commemorate these events viz. the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter.