Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Our Pilgrimage

Like No Other Place

Our plan is to travel for a month in the Middle East  . It is a fascinating world opening for us. Discovery is a long time coming. The Middle East cultures have been around for a few millennia. The pre Israelite Canaanites, for example, lived here in the 15th Century BCE. The UAE and other countries in the region have evidence of nomadic tribes going back 7000 years. Exploring Jerusalem and the Old City is happening.

Jerusalem is very special, primarily because it is the birthplace of Christianity.  The Old City is rich in history and cultural significance for the Christian faith as well as for Judaism, Muslims and Armenians. The old City looks, feels, and sounds really old. It feels like being in a different time and place. 

The Old City is smack dab in the middle of a crowded, bustling city of about 1 million people. It is also the nation’s capital. About 3.5 million tourists visit the City each year. If you are coming to Jerusalem only spend 2-3 days. You can see everything in that time. One convenient hotel near to Old City is the American Colony Hotel. It is a 20 minute walk to the Old City via the Damascus Gate or a quick cab ride to the Jaffa Gate.

Jerusalem is Sacred

Everybody has laid a claim on the Old City. Well, maybe not everybody. Four distinct Quarters divide the City. The Jews, the Christians, the Muslims and the Armenians each have a quarter with its own unique characteristics.  They take turns being the custodians of the Old City. The Christian Quarter is naturally the most significant to us. It is home to some of the holiest sites in Christianity, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Church of the Redeemer, and the Via Dolorosa.

Through the Jaffa Gate

Our journey in Jerusalem begins at the Jaffa Gate, one of the most recognizable entrances to the Old City.  The hustle and bustle fills the narrow streets with vendors, locals, and tourists. The Tower of David is immediately on our left. It has symbolically guarded the Old City for centuries.

Christian Quarter

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is our first stop in the heart of the Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter. This is the site where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. The church is decorated with very ornate mosaics. We could not help being overwhelmed by the significance of the site. People from all over the world are visiting this holy place while we are here.

The tower on the right is on the Al Aqsa Mosque while the gold dome towards the left is the Dome of the Rock, The tower to the left is the Tower of David

After leaving the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we make our way to the Church of the Redeemer. This church is located in the Christian Quarter. The view from the top  of the Church of the Redeemer is very good. You can see the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The last two sites are very important in the Muslim faith. Perhaps the most famous of these is the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The mosque is located in Jerusalem, within the Al-Haram Al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary. This is one of the holiest sites in Islam. We learn that the Prophet Muhammad travelled from Mecca to this spot where he ascended to heaven. 

Muslim Quarter

The design os the Al-Aqsa Mosque is quite beautifully.  It has the iconic golden domes and very intricate mosaics. This mosque is not always open for tourists. However, should it be available by all means make the effort. 

The Dome of the Rock is another important site, believed to be the location from which the Prophet ascended to heaven during his night journey. The mosque is truly breathtaking because of the stunning mosaic tiles and intricate artwork cover the buildings walls.

Difficult to Visualize

The Via Dolorosa is the path in Jerusalem that Jesus took to the mount where he was crucified. It begins at the Antonia Fortress where Jesus was tried and sentenced to death.  The path then winds through the streets of the Old City. Along the way are 14 stations of the cross. Each station marks a specific event in Jesus’s journey to the cross. This path is difficult to conceptualize because of all the construction that has taken place over the past 2000 years. Many churches have been built on top of previous churches. The existing ornamentation is so extreme. It is to the point where it is gaudy. 

The Dark Dome is on the Al Aqsa Mosque and beyond the trees to the right is the excavation of the City of David

Jewish Quarter

The Old City of Jerusalem has a strained existence between the various religious groups. The different groups seem to coexist in this relatively small space. Each religious group has had a definite influence on the city’s architecture and history. The Western Wall,  which is a most holy site for Jews, is one example. They have prayed here for 2,000 years. The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is where two Temples have been built and destroyed. Only the original foundation of the second temple remains. The Jews were exiled in 70 CE and since then it has become a pilgrimage. It is essentially an open air place of worship.  While we were there new recruits for the Israeli Defense Force professed their allegiance to the State of Israel.

Hidden Gems

We also discovered several other of Jerusalem’s hidden gems. One is the Church of St. Anne. It is considered to be the best preserved Crusader-period buildings in Jerusalem. The church is located near the Lion’s Gate. It has an acoustic design that allows for very harmonious acoustics. If you sing in the chapel you can hear your voice resonate powerfully through out the Chapel.

The Mount of Olives, located on the outskirts of the Old City, should also be visited. This is where Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection. It is a place of great spiritual significance for Christians. The view of the City from here is impressive.

Our visit to Jerusalem’s Old City is a life-changing experience. As a Christian, being in the city where Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose again provides an incredible sense of awe. The Old City is more than just a tourist destination; it is a place where the past, present, and future collide. It is a place where you can connect with your faith, as well as being reminded of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us all. If you have the opportunity to visit the Jerusalem Old City, take it.

 

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