Stella Maris Church and the foundation of the carmelite order
Stella Maris Monastery is a Catholic monastery, run by the Carmelite order, located at the northern part of Mt. Carmel and the city of Haifa.
The foundation of the Carmelite order:
The Carmelite order, also known as “Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel” is a Roman Chatolic order, founded at Medieval times, around the 12th century by the Crusaders hermits that lived like hermits at the nearby cave of “Wadi Siach” trying to emulate the life of Prophet Elijah.
The Carmelite order is the only Christian order founded in the Holy Land, and the only one founded by people Inspired by Elijah the prophet from the Old Testament.
The meaning for the word Carmel in Hebrew and Arabic:
The word “Carmel” in hebrew is compound of two hebrew words:
Kerem = Vineyard.
El = God.
meaning “The vineyard of God”.
Mt Carmel is a Holy Mountain for Jew, Cheristians, Muslims,Druze, and Babies.
Among the Arabs Muslims name Mt. Carmel as “Mount of Saint Elias”, and “Al-Khadir” the” Green prophet”
Why is Mary called Stella Maris?
In the Chatolic church the role of Virgin Mary is very important to mediate between believers and Jesus, Mary is a “Guiding star” on the way to Christ.
In the medieval times it was common to believe Mary is a guide and protector of seafarers in particular.
Therefore, this church at the top of Mt. Carmel facing the Port of Haifa and port of Acre at the north of the bay, like many coastal churches built next to a port city, are named Stella Maris or Star of the Sea.
In Arabic Mary Name is Mar-Yam, Mar is a drop, and Yam is Sea therefore its comes from “Drop of the Sea”.
Ave maris stella Hymn:
What did Elijah do at Mount Carmel?
The story of Elijah at Mt. Carmel relates the Biblical story from the 1st temple period. During the reign of king Ahab, Elijah kept criticising Ahab and his wife Jezebel for letting the people of Israel to worship the Baal and Asherah deities.
Elijah swore to them that there will be a severe drought in the land of Israel till they will change their ways, they denounced him and called Elijah the “troubler of Israel”.
At some point Elijah had to find a place to hide himself, and during the three years of drought Elijah hid in a cave at Mt. Carmel, till the God of Israel instructed him to gather all the people of Israel to Mt. Carmel to challenge all the prophets of the Baal to show them who is the real God.
Cave of Elijah:
As said before this site is a Holy site for 5 religions.
The Jews and the Muslims tradition relate Elijah to the Cave at the bottom of Mt. Carmel, which today runs under Orthodox supervision, while the Christians associate Elijah with the cave at the top of Mt. Carmel, which serves today as the Grotto at Stella Maris church.
The Catholic tradition also relates this cave to the place where Mary and Joseph sheltered there on their way back from Egypt to Nazareth. (after the Birth of Jesus at Bethlehem)
Elijah in the Jewish tradition:
Elijah is a very important figure in the Jewish tradition.
He is the prophet of God that brought back the people of Israel to believe in Jehovah.
He was Assumed to Heaven by God, and they all wait for him to return in many Jewish occasions, like the “Brit Milah” (circumcision), Havdalah – the end of Shabbat, at the Passover meal and his most important role is to serve as the Herold for the coming of the Messiah.
- For many Christians this prophecy of Elijah preceding the Messiah was fulfilled according to the gospels, during Jesus’ transfiguration at Mt. Tabor.
Did Elijah and Mary Assumed into heaven?
According to the Old Testament in the book of Kings 2 2:11 Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind to heaven in a chariot of fire.
The New Testament does not state clearly if Virgin Mary Assumed to Heaven, but there are many ancient Catholic and Orthodox traditions that describe the end of Mary’s earthly life, and her Dormition and that she was Assumed to heaven by her son Jesus at the Mt. of Olives.
The monument to Napoleon's soldiers:
Along with Napoleon Bonaparte ambitious plan to conquer the Middle East and connect it to Europe. After he conquered Egypt and started marching to the north along the coastline, passing the ancient city of Jaffa, he also passed the city of Haifa on his way to the fortified city of Akko, where he failed to conquer the city and this was the end of his military campaign.
Defeated, and humiliated, Napoleon left the Holy land, left behind 15 of his soldiers who fell ill by a plague, at the Christian monastery Stella Maris.
Soon after, as a revenge the Ottoman forces took over the place and slaughtered Napoleon sick soldiers.
After the monks returned to the place they buried the bodies in front of the monastery and built there a Pyramid-shaped monument, with a french inscription bearing the biblical quote “How the mighty have fallen in battle“.
Along with Napoleon Bonaparte ambitious plan to conquer the Middle East and connect it to Europe. After he conquered Egypt and started marching to the north along the coastline, passing the ancient city of Jaffa, he also passed the city of Haifa on his way to the fortified city of Akko, where he failed to conquer the city and this was the end of his military campaign.
Defeated, and humiliated, Napoleon left the Holy land, left behind 15 of his soldiers who fell ill by a plague, at the Christian monastery Stella Maris.
Soon after, as a revenge the Ottoman forces took over the place and slaughtered Napoleon sick soldiers.
After the monks returned to the place they buried the bodies in front of the monastery and built there a Pyramid-shaped monument, with a french inscription bearing the biblical quote “How the mighty have fallen in battle“.
How to get to Stella Maris?
The site is very accessible in many ways.
It is about 30 min walk from Carmel center hotels area, and about 15 min ride from the port of Haifa.
It is also nice to visit the place with a short cable ride from Bat Galim beach.
You can pay for the parking with an App (like Pango) or you can park for free at the Church parking lot.
Is there a restaurant at Stella maris?
There is a small coffee shop at the entrance to the Church, and there are also two nice restaurants at the Cable car station (Shawatina restaurant) with a great view to the Bay of Haifa.
Sites nearby Stella Maris:
The most Famous attraction in Haifa is the nearby Bahai gardens. It is also recommended to visit the German Colony, the Druze village Daliat El Carmel, and the Ahmadiyya mosque at kababir neighborhood.
Travel information:
There is no admission fee.
There is a paid lavatory.
Free parking.
At the site there is a small christian gift shop with many Holy land souvenirs favored by Catholic pilgrims.
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