Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Mt of Olives and Christian Quarter

A very full and busy day. We started on the Mount of Olives, the hill to the east of Jerusalem, for a classic view of the Old City and Temple Mount.







We then descended the traditional Palm Sunday route, remembering Jesus' entry to the city to the waving of palms. Several churches are along the way.



At the bottom we visited the garden of Gethsemane: a church, a cave the disciples may have slept in, and a church build on a 1st century grave identified as Mary's Tomb (mom of Jesus Mary). Very cool and reverent spot.





After a medicore lunch and an expensive shopping stop, we went back to the Old City. From the NE corner we walked in the Lion's Gate and visited St Anne's church.






Next, we followed the traditional route of the Via Delorosa, ending up at the (crowded) church of the Holy Sepulcher.









Finally, we went to St Mark's church, a church supposedly built on the site of the mother of John Mark and a site of activity of the NT church.




Finally, we should mention we saw LOTS of police and soldiers in the Old City, but saw or heard of no incidents. Roadblocks are being removed, things seem to be calming down.





And if you ever wanted to hear the Lord's Prayer as it sounded when Jesus spoke it....