In the Classical World the principal shrine to Pan was to be found at the base of Mount Hermon, known as Caesarea Paneas — or, as known more familiarly to us from the Bible, as Caesarea Philippi.

A cave immediately to the north of Caesarea Philippi was said to be the birthplace of the Greco-Roman god Pan/Faunus, the god of nature, fields, forests, mountains, flocks and shepherds.

Where Peter once stood in the place of Pan, ... the mountains of what was once known as Caesarea Philippi. There, ... and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18, ESV ...

Our bus pulled into the parking lot in far northern Israel early in the morning.