MAY 18 : MOUNT OLIVE / GETHSEMANE BETHLEHEM

 MAY 18, SAT: MOUNT OLIVE /  GETHSEMANE BETHLEHEM, ISRAEL

After nice heavy breakfast, proceeded to Mount of Olives, where Jesus taught us “Our Father” prayer and preached to his disciples and local people.  Here we visited the sanctuaries of Pater Nester Ascension, in wall outside they had this prayer in ceramic tiles, printed in many languages including Konkani and Marathi.  On this mount, Jesus ascended into Heaven.  

Walked down the Palm Sunday road down to the chapel of Dorminous Flevit, where Jesus wept over the eminent destruction of Jerusalem.  Here in a small corner, we all attended a mass conducted for us.  

Then moved to the slopes overlooking the city of Jerusalem.  We could see the golden dome of the Mosque built in place of the Temple built by Solomon, by the Muslims Turks. 

We then went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed, while his disciples slept and where Judas betrayed him for 30 silver coins to the Jews. Then walked to the Basilica of the Agony, where we saw mosaic paintings depicting the agony in the garden, betrayal by Judas along with Jew soldiers.  Then walked to the Church of All Nations.

Gethsemane Garden & the Church of All Nations ( Agony )

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One of the most sacred places in Jerusalem is the garden of Gethsemane. The olive trees there are hundreds of years old and are believed to be the trees that accompanied Jesus the day he was arrested

 “Gethsemane” comes from “Gat Shemen” in Hebrew, which means olive press. Of course this is due to the many natural growing olive trees there. This place is special to the Gospel where it is told that Jesus spent his last night there praying: "And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray" (Matthew, XXVI 36).

 This reminiscent sight in Jerusalem is ideal for the rise of the Church of All Nations. Also known as  the Basilica of the Agony, as reference to Jesus' night of Passion there.

The church was built by Antonio Barluzzi, the  Italian architect, in 1924. The unique design is a harmonious mixture of outstanding Islamic architectural features, like domes on the roof and sides of the building, and christian basilica in the front.

Many countries helped build the church, thus the name “Church of all nations”. A slight oriental reference is noticeable in the domes where the flags of the nations are displayed. A  Byzantine church was built on the same grounds in the 4th century later converted to a basilica by the Crusaders.

At the top of the steps stands a wrought iron fence enclosing the front of the church. The atrium arches are supported by a mass of pillars surrounding the atrium. The  tympanum is decorated with a contemporary mosaic representing Jesus as the connection between mortals and God.
Traces of the  ancient Byzantine church can be seen inside on the remains of the mosaic.
The most prominent part of the church is the presbytery and the high altar that are behind a large piece of the rock believed to be where Jesus prayed the night before the Passion.

The main apse of Gethsemane Church - The stone of Agony

Surrounding the rock is a circle of thorns made of wrought iron. A mosaic in the apse symbolizes Christ's suffering and being comforted by an angel. More representations of occurrences in Christ's passion, like his arrest and the Kiss of Judas can be

We proceeded to the Cenacle, where the Last supper of Jesus took place, which is old room, which is taken over by Muslims and mosque was created,  but now it is taken over by Dominican brothers.  From here we visited the tomb of King David where there was separate entrance for men n women.  Holy place for Jews.

Visited the Basilica in honour of Mary, where she died and buried for some months, from where she was taken out by Thomas, carried to the hill, where she ascended into arms of Jesus in to heaven.

Then visited the Church of St. Peters in Galligantu, built over the place where Cock crowed when Peter denied Jesus 3 times, where depiction is shown, and sculpture of Peter outside sitting around the fire and denied. 

We visited 3 places close to each, walkable and here we lost Frankie, he was sitting outside the entrance while we went to visit next Church from backside.  While getting into the bus, we found him missing and it was a panic situation since he did not have passport, mobile or the address of the hotel where we stayed.  Ulf ran to search for him and even our Guide Jacob and Tour Leader Ravi and but could not find him anywhere and then we took back our bus up to the Y point, near the earlier Church.  There he was sitting like Sitting Buddha and it was a second miracle for us.  All the people were frayed and hungry, it was already 3pm, in the bus all pounced on him for losing and of course long fight and shouting from Philo, Winnie and self too. Then all advised me that from now on catch hold his arms and move around.  He was not willing to come for lunch, but all forced him, and he then relented.  Reached the restaurant where the meals were not great and enough, quite disappointed.

Then we went to the Milk Grotto built over place where Joseph and Mary took refuge during slaughter of the innocents before their flight to Egypt.  Here while Mary was nursing the baby Jesus, a drop of milk had fallen on the rock turning its colour  into pure white.  The church built here is visited by both Christians and Muslims believe that the scraping from stones in the grotto boost the quantity of mother’s milk and enhance fertility.

We then visited the Church of Nativity – the birthplace of Jesus, which is managed by the Orthodox Church.  Here we had to wait in line, due to restoration to see the underground grotto.  Here we were not allowed to take the picture.  The altar had plenty of lamps hanging over and surrounded by iconic pictures on the walls.