A Holy Land archaeological discovery will bring together some of Denver’s biggest names in politics and religion for a Galilee Gala on June 8 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
A first-century synagogue, uncovered in 2009 in Magdala — Mary Magdalene’s hometown in the region of Galilee — holds the oldest known depiction in stone of a menorah.
Jesus lived most of his life and conducted most of his ministry in the region of Galilee. And so the area was chosen by the Legionaries of Christ, a Catholic order of priests seeking to promote Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land, as the site for a $100 million building project.
Plans include a 300-bed hotel, an educational center dedicated to Jesus and a cultural center for women.
The project began purchasing land in Magdala in 2006, eventually acquiring more than 20 acres on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
As providence would have it, proj ect spokesman Father Eamon Kelly said, workers soon discovered, in the very footprint set aside for an ecumenical chapel for Christians, a 2,000-year-old Jewish place of worship.
An intricately carved stone table is its striking centerpiece.
The find seemed to be a sign that the center is meant to promote dialogue not only among Christians but among Jews and Muslims as well, said the Jerusalem-based Kelly.
“This is the most beautiful synagogue in antiquity,” Kelly said. “It’s a magic place.”
Magdala Center officials moved building sites around to preserve and showcase the finds. While archaeological excavations will continue at least through 2012, building construction began at the end of 2009. Pope Benedict XVI blessed the cornerstone earlier that year.
The Magdala Center’s New Gate to Peace Foundation has raised about a third of the money needed to complete the project, Kelly said.
In the spirit of interfaith cooperation, Kelly said, the Denver gala will honor the Rev. James Ryan, a local man who exemplifies bridge-building between faith traditions. Ryan is executive director of the Colorado Council of Churches.
Gala hosts and committee members include museum president and chief executive George Sparks, Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, Rocky Mountain Rabbinical Council president Richard Rheins, Iliff School of Theology president David Trickett, former Gov. Bill Ritter, Colorado Christian University president and former U.S. Sen. William Armstrong, and many other leading religious, civic and academic figures.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
Interfaith gathering
The Magdala Center Galilee Gala is planned for June 8. For reservation information, e-mail rgebbie@magdalacenter.com or go to .
