Reflections from the Holy Land – Day One
July 12th, 2009July 1…Reflections continue….The first day of the tour begins with a short bus ride from Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives. On the way we get a great view of the Temple Mount.
- Temple Mount from Mt. of Olives
This is an absolutely breath-taking view. Think of the history this place has seen. Think of the lives, the deaths, and the new beginnings that have taken place here. Notice the “pointy” steeple to the left of the Dome of the Rock (golden dome to the right of the center in the picture). This is the steeple of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (ELCA). More on the Temple Mount and the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer later.
We now visit the Chapel/Mosque of the Ascension which is located at the highest point of the Mt. of Olives.
- Chapel/Mosque of the Ascension
Tradition says that it is here that Jesus ascended into heaven. There is a rock inside with an imprint of his footprint.
- Rock with footprint
This site has been a place of worship for centuries beginning first in a cave located here. The first building was erected in 392. The present building dates back to Crusader times and was remodeled by Muslims in 1200.
Now on to the site of the Sanctuary of Eleona (translation, olive tree) built by Helena (mother of Emperor Constantine) in 333. Here is located the Pater Noster (Our Father) Chapel where tradition says that Jesus taught his disciples how to pray.
Halfway between Bethany and Jerusalem is Bethphage. Tradition says that here Jesus borrowed the donkey for His ride into Jerusalem (on Palm Sunday).
- Palm Sunday Mosaic
At this site is a rock from the road on which tradition says Jesus rode.
- Piece of road
From Mt. of Olives is incredible view of the Eastern Wall of the Temple Mount. Between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount is the Kidron Valley which is filled with Jewish cemeteries (a.k.a. Valley of Jehoshaphat believed to be where humanity will one day be judged by God).
- Temple Mount from Mt. of Olives
- Kidron Valley and Jewish Cemetaries
We then walked the Palm Sunday route down the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem through the Garden of Gethsemane– Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday which was probably Jesus poking fun at the Empire and their war celebration processions.
- Garden of Gethsemane
It was in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus taught and rested and retreated. Here is the Church of All Nations. Tradition holds this as the sight where Jesus cries for His Father to take the cup from him. This building was erected in 1924 but has been a site of worship since 379.
- Inside Church of All Nations
- Rock on which Jesus cried
We now move on to the cave where, tradition says, Mary, the mother of Jesus was buried (Transitus Mariae) and where Jesus and His disciples slept in the Garden, and where the kiss of Judas took place.
- Transitus Mariae
- Inside Transitus Mariae
We hop into our bus for the short trek over to the Lion’s Gate where just inside is the Church of St. Anne where Mary was born to Anne and Joachim.
- Church of St. Anne
Nearby are the Bethsaidia Pools for cleansing sheep for Temple sacrifice and for healing.
- Ruins of Bethsaidia Pools
We now walk the Via Dolorosa– the way of the cross. Tradition says this is the way Jesus walked to Golgotha. It is also noted that this path is defined by faith and not by history.
- Via Dolorosa
Thousands upon thousands upon thousands of believers make the pilgrimage each year to walk the way of the cross, the Via Dolorosa.
- Via Dolorosa
Along the route are numbered plaques, shrines, chapels, and churches to indicate places for adoration, worship, and prayer.
Station 1 Chapel of Flagellation
- Chapel of Flagellation
Station 2 Chapel of Condemnation
Station 3 Jesus falls
- Station III – Jesus falls
Station 4 Jesus sees His mother
- Station IV – Jesus sees his mother
Station 5 Simon of Cyrene helps (Picture 71)
Station 6 St. Veronica wipes brow (Picture 72)
Station 7 Jesus falls
- Station VII – Jesus falls a second time
Station 8 Jesus tells Jerusalem women
to cry for selves not for him
Station 9 Jesus falls third time
Station 10 Jesus stripped of garments
Station 11 Jesus nailed to cross
Station 12 Jesus dies on cross
Station 13 Jesus taken from cross
Station 14 Jesus laid in tomb
Stations 11 through 14 are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
- Church of Holy Sepulchre
In 326, Constantine built the first church on this site after removing a temple built by Emperor Hadrian in 135. The original site was destroyed by Muslims in 1009. Restoration began in 1012 and have been various building projects thereafter. This Church is “cared for” by the Latin Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Orthodox Syrians, Copts, and Ethiopians. The enormous tomb monument was built in 1810.
- Traditional site of Crucifixion
- Tomb of Jesus
Near the entrance of the church is the Unction Stone (stone where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial. Pilgrims place items (rosaries, oils, etc.) on the stone for blessing.
- Unction Stone
More on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre later.
Now a quick stop at the Western Wall Plaza (Haram esh-Sharif). This is a portion of the retaining wall for the Temple Mount that was built by Herod in 29 BC. The purpose of this part of the wall was to support the Temple. Today the Western Wall is venerated by Jews as the sole remnant of the Temple. It is the closest permitted accessible sight to the holiest spot in Judaism.
- Western Wall Plaza
- Western Wall
- PB at Church of Holy Sepulchre
- PB at Western Wall Plaza
- PB touching Golgotha
Be nice….I just wanted to touch the rock.
Lots and lots seen today. I have a few reflections from the day….but we’ll save those for tomorrow. Peace, PB
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July 2…More…Rather than jumping on to the next day of the tour, I’d like to reflect a bit so far. The day spent on the Mt. of Olives, Kidron Valley, Via Dolorosa, and Church of the Holy Sepulchre was eye-opening, or at least piety jarring. In one day, we had visited the places I longed to see, so what would be the point of the rest of the trip. I was done; except that while at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we were not able to go into the Tomb of Jesus. The line was too long. We decided that we would return another day. So now I had my reason for the tour to continue.
In the meantime, let’s address this whole thing of “tradition says….” As I’m sure you very well know, that in every arena of history there are sacred, holy (set apart) sights and things. Whether battlefields, desks where documents were signed, clothing, caves of burial, birthplaces, etc., these are places and things that serve as tangible reminders of special, sacred times. The problem with trying to pinpoint exact locations is that, in most cases, the exact place is not known. So rather in order to avoid any accusations of misrepresentation, we simply say, “Tradition says….” (At least this is my take on this.) Because of personal piety, there are those folks who would disagree with me right here and who would take great personal offense at what I just said especially when it comes to the sacred places of Jesus. I do not mean to offend anyone. I am simply reflecting on “my take” of it all. And my take is that we are talking “general area” of Jesus happenings in a historical place. Jesus walked somewhere on the Mt. of Olives. He walked to and in Jerusalem. He was crucified and buried somewhere there. Faithful folks identified places years ago as places of homage and devotion. And faithful folks have a variety of responses and beliefs when it comes to the sacred sites– from this is the tomb of Jesus to this can’t be it and there’s no way of knowing where it may have been. Do I believe it happened right there? Not necessarily. Could it have? Sure. Did it? I just don’t know.
As I said earlier, I’m somewhere in the middle (as any good Lutheran would find him/herself). Sacred/holy means set apart. My piety adores having places to visit where I can, perhaps, get a connection with what is holy. Visiting Golgotha, the Tomb of Jesus works for me.
More later….