The Greek Orthodox Church of the Twelve Apostles in Capernaum is one of the most visually striking churches on the Sea of Galilee. Its pink domes and red roofs stand out against the blue water and green hillsides, and its gardens, shaded by palm trees and bougainvillea, are among the most beautiful in the Galilee.
The Church
Built in 1931 on Byzantine foundations, the church is dedicated to the twelve apostles whom Jesus called from the shores of this lake. The interior features colorful frescoes in the Byzantine style, depicting scenes from the Gospels and the lives of the apostles. The atmosphere is distinctly different from the Franciscan churches nearby: more ornate, more colorful, and more Eastern.
The church is set in a walled garden compound that includes a small monastery and ancient olive trees. The tranquility of the gardens, combined with the lakefront setting, makes this one of the most peaceful stops around the Sea of Galilee.
Father Irinarchos: The Monk Who Welcomes the World
For over thirty years, the monastery has been tended by Father Irinarchos (Mitkas), a Greek monk born in Macedonia in 1964 who arrived in the Holy Land at the age of 24 and never left. Irinarchos is one of those rare figures who make a place unforgettable. He chose to remain a simple monk rather than accept ordination as a priest, preferring to stay at Capernaum and welcome every visitor who walks through the gate.
And welcome he does. Father Irinarchos greets visitors with a warmth and openness that turns a quick stop into a conversation, and a conversation into a memory. Under his care, the monastery has grown from a quiet outpost into a thriving community, hosting over 100 baptisms a year, weddings, and regular services in both Greek and Russian. He knows the garden, the peacocks, the history, and the stories, and he shares them all with the generosity of someone who genuinely believes that this place belongs to everyone who comes to it.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
The Church of the Twelve Apostles adds depth to a Capernaum visit. Hoshen Tours includes it for visitors interested in the Eastern Orthodox tradition alongside the Catholic sites.