Nazareth means “Little Root,” and it was in Jesus’ day small and insignificant. Today the largest concentration of Christians within the Holy land can be found in Nazareth. In this city of 60,000, 35% are Christians, and 65% Muslims.
Nazareth is the starting point for Christian pilgrimage. Here Gabriel proclaimed to the Virgin: “Hail, highly favored one!” An estimated 300,000 pilgrims flock to Nazareth each year, in addition to the hundred thousand local visitors. They come to see this special place where Jesus spent most of His Life and from where He started His public ministry.
