Jesus shrine in Israel robbed and vandalised
The Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor in Israel. The church, which is believed to be the site where the Transfiguration of Christ took place, has been vandalised, with chalices stolen, icons damaged and a donation box robbed on October 24, 2016. PHOTO | AGENCIES
What you need to know:
- Communion bread had also been thrown on the ground.
- The church is on Mount Tabor in the Galilee region of northern Israel, where Christians believe Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah.
JERUSALEM
A church in Israel built where Christians believe the transfiguration of Jesus took place has been vandalised, with chalices stolen, icons damaged and a donation box robbed, an official said Tuesday.
Church officials believe the motive for Monday’s incident was robbery and not Jewish extremism, which has been blamed for previous vandalism at Christian sites in Israel, said Wadie Abunassar, a spokesman for bishops in the Holy Land.
Abunassar could not say how many chalices were stolen from the Basilica of the Transfiguration or how much money had been taken from the donation box. Communion bread had also been thrown on the ground.
“No graffiti was painted on the church as usually occurs with vandalism by extremists,” Abunassar said.
The church is on Mount Tabor in the Galilee region of northern Israel, where Christians believe Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah.
