The Sanctuaries situated on Mount Carmel in Israel
Har Ha Karmel
Har ha Karmel Mount Carmel or in God’s vineyard Hebrew meaning is a mountain range in North Israel that runs along the coast, stretching from the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast. Here a number of towns are located, most notably Israel’s third largest city, Haifa. In the Bible, Mount Carmel is associated with beauty and more importantly the mount of the Prophet Elijah.
Most of the land on Mount Carmel is covered with natural woodlands that remain green all year round. This feature is the result of curious circumstances. Har ha Karmel has abundant rainfall, but very few springs. In the past, because of this lack of natural water springs few people would visit these places and therefore the natural environment remained unspoilt. Since the mount was isolated away from ancient main roads, the persecuted Prophet Elijah found a place where he could escape the hands of his enemies.
It is importamt to note that the Carmelite Order began on Mount Carmel around the twelfth century when some hermits on the inspiration of Prophet Elijah started to live here. The first hermits built a centre in Nahal Siah which at the time was ruled by the Crusades. Today this area forms part of Haifa. When the Crusades’ rule ended, the Carmelites left for Europe, and did not return to Mount Carmel till the 17th century until they were granted the right to keep the cave of Elijah and the mount of Stella Maris. The hermits lived in caves, until they built the monastery of Stella Maris and Deir al-Muhraka.
The Monastery of Muhraka
The Muhraka Monastery or Deir alMuhraka is a Carmelite monastery situated on the outskirts of the village Al-Carmel Daliyat. As one enters the courtyard of the monastery one finds a stone sculpture of the Prophet Elijah, brandishing a sword in his hand while his foot rests on a man’s head. This representation marks the fight the prophet Elijah had with the prophets of Baal, which, according to tradition, took place where the monastery stands.
According to Biblical accounts, after years of drought, Elijah competed against four hundred prophets of the god Baal, all servants of King Ahab, to see who could bring rain (1 Kings 18). After the false prophets gave up, Elijah began to pray. Fire fell from heaven and burnt the sacrifice Elijah was offering God. Elijah together with his followers then slew a large number of these prophets and soon heavy rains fell from heaven.
The tradition that shows the Horn of Carmel as the place of the scene of the fight between Elijah and the prophets of Baal is a very old one. Its Arabic name, Al-Muhraka, comes from the verb ‘ħaraq’, which means “to burn”, which symbolizes the fire that fell from heaven.
Deir al-Muhraka belongs to the Order of Discalced Carmelites. Inside the monastery there are three beautiful sculptures, depicting the events of the Biblical story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
Recently the chapel was modernized and an altar of twelve stones was erected in memory of the twelve stones used by Elijah to construct his altar, according to the Bible (I Kgs, 18, 31). Visitors to the monastery are allowed to go up on the roof and admire the beautiful landscapes of the Jezreel Valley, the hills of Galilee and the peak of Mount Hermon.
Stella Maris (“The star of the Sea”)
On top of the highest peak of the Carmel mountains, in the Haifa suburbs, we also find the monastery of Stella Maris. This monastery overlooks the bay of Acri and Western Galilee.
The Carmelites took over this area in the 17th century, but it was not until 1767, after the Bedouin ruler Dahr al-Omar took power, that the monks could begin building this monastery.
It was inaugurated in 1836. It soon became an important landmark in the area, and served as a medical centre for local people. Today it is a centre of Carmelite spirituality throughout the world.
The monastery’s main church resembles the shape of a cross. It has an impressive main hall and a dome decorated with lively paintings depicting scenes from the Bible.
The altar stands on an elevated platform dominated by a statue of the Virgin Mary carrying Jesus in her lap. Below this is a small cave associated with Elijah. The cave can be reached from the nave by descending a few steps. Inside is an altar made of stone that depicts the Prophet Elijah, which according to Christian tradition, is where the Prophet once lived. Adjacent to the monastery is a museum displaying the remains of a Byzantine church.
Elijah’s Cave
On the other side of the monastery, a steep path heading towards the Mediterranean leads to a larger grotto, Elijah’s Cave, where the prophet is said to have taken refuge on his trip to the desert (1 Kings 19: 8). According to the Book of Kings, Elijah travelled 40 days and nights, where he rested in a cave for a night and on awakening talked with God.
The cave which is venerated by Jews, Christians and Muslims is also thought to be where Elijah established a “school of prophets”, where his successor Elisha, among others, studied.
As a Carmelite I encourage all the Tertiaries and all those who live the Carmelite charism to visit these locations to understand better the beginning of our origins.