In the Footsteps of Jesus: Hozanna

Today we began covering the Passion of Christ. Our journey today physically took us to the Mount of Olives and to Mount Zion, but spiritually it brought us much more.

Damascus Gate

Herod's Gate

Mt. of Olives with the Church of All Nations at the base

Our journey to the Mount of Olives took us past two of Jerusalem's gates, the Damascus gate and Herod's gate.

We began at the Church of All Nations or Basilica of Agony at the Garden of Gethsemane where we had Mass before other pilgrims were let in. Antonio Barluzzi's design really fits this setting with a blue ceiling evoking the night sky and purple windows letting in very little light.

After Mass we drove to the top and then walked down the Mount on the Palm Sunday road visiting holy sites along the way.

The wall of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives with the Golden Gate in the center

Muslims blocked up the Golden Gate and put a Muslim cemetery there to block the Messiah from coming through the gate.

Golden Gate

T
he Kdron Valley sits between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives on the other side.

Kidron Valley

Church of All Nations

The rock where the agony occurred is in
front of the altar

Darkened windows

Inside the main dome

Ida was a lector for Mass

Mass

The arrest of Jesus

Christ is consoled
by an angel

Seal of the US in lower
left corner

The oldest tree in the garden

We are blessed with Holy Oil

Ida receives a special birthday blessing

Jerusalem Cross

We then rode up to the top of the Mount to begin our steep descent along the Palm Sunday Road. Our first stop was at the chapel of the Ascension which is the only thing left from the Crusader era church that once stood here. There are several locations where the Ascension is said to have taken place.

Chapel of the Ascension

Footprint of the Lord

The next stop was the Church of Pater Noster where Jesus taught the Lord's prayer. Along the walls of the former Crusader Church is the Lord's prayer in 166 languages. It was a diverse group of pilgrims again at this site. When we had our turn in the cave we formed a circle, held hands and prayed the Lord's prayer together. It was very special since you could feel that this was holy ground.

The Lord's Prayer in Different Languages

Cave where Jesus met with the
disciples

English

Italian

From here you begin the steep descent of the Palm Sunday road, the same road Jesus took into Jerusalem to start his passion. In front of us was the Temple Mount with the Golden Dome of the Rock and to our left is the Jewish cemetery

Jerusalem

Jewish cemetery

Palm Sunday Walk

Palm Sunday

Jewish cemetery up close

Ossuaries

Carob, Locust Tree

John the baptist is known for eating locusts and honey, but the locusts are the seeds of the Carob tree. The seeds are called gerah which is the origin of the word, carat. These seeds were used to measure the weight of diamonds which is something that we still use today. The seeds were used because their weight does not change and they do not absorb water.

Our next site was Dominus Flevit which is where the Lord wept over Jerusalem. The site provides beautiful views of the city

City of David

Church of Dominus Flevit

Crown of Thorns Tree

Praying for your intentions

Byzantine Floor

The beautiful window overlooking Jerusalem

Morning prayer

On the Palm Sunday road

Zion Gate

We then traveled over to Mount Zion to see the Upper Room, Dormition Abbey and the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu.

Below the upper room is King David's tomb as recognized by the State of Israel. Our guide, George, who knows everything thinks he's buried somewhere else.

The building does not date from Jesus time, it was constructed during the Crusader period, but its likely the site of the Upper Room where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper and the church began.

Entrance

The Upper Room

Muslim mihrab

The Upper Room was a mosque at one point in its life and still has Muslim stained glass and a mihrab to designate which direction Mecca is. Since King David's tomb is considered sacred by Israel, they don't allow Masses or singing in the Upper Room (We sang quietly).

Dormition Abbey

Near the Upper Room is Dormition Abbey where the Blessed Mother died. It was another place where you could sense the holiness.

The main church

In the painting to the right, Jesus is depicted holding the infant Mary at the time of he death. Usually the paintings depict Mary holding the infant Jesus, so this is unique.

Mary in Dormition

Our last stop of the day was at St. Peter in Gallicantu, another beautiful church designed by Antonio Barluzzi. The location marks the spot of Caiaphas House which had three levels, one of which was a prison where Jesus was kept. The original stairs from the Kidron valley are still here more than 2000 years laer.