The day started at 9.00am with an intro to the Old City. Our local guide, Jack, led us through the Lion Gate into the narrow streets of Jerusalem. Motor vehicles jostled with pedestrians for space on the narrow streets. There seemed to be no road rules at all. Our first stop was the Church of St. Anne, which is purported to be the birthplace of Mary. The acoustics of the building were amazing, we sang Amazing Grace as a group. To the rear of the church was the pool of Bethesda, with the five porticos, where Jesus healed the lame man. Jan D was unwell with a gastric bug at the pool and had to return to the motel to rest. Please pray. We journeyed part way along the Via Dolorosa, stopping at the Antonia Citadel where Jesus appeared before Pilate. While the Citadel has been destroyed and replaced by a church, there remain large flagstones on the floor where the soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothes. Then on through the narrow lanes of the old city along with a great throng of people and many traders selling their wares. Arrived at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre around midday with a great crowd of other visitors with much jostling inside just to get a view.
Lunch was at Kibbutz Rummit Rachel, then on to the Mount of Olives, passing the garden of Gethsemane. The ancient olive trees are gnarled and no one knows how old they are because the centre of the trees has rotted away. The view over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives was impressive, and we were reminded of how Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Visited the Church of All Nations and the Pater Noster Church. While the focus there was on the Lord's Prayer, there was a cave beside the church where Jesus is said to have stayed and taught. A Widow's Mite along with a "certificate" was purchased by Phil M.
On first impressions, Jerusalem is quite hilly with deep valleys surrounding the walls of the old city. Distances between various key buildings and places are also close and compact.
The Lions Gate
Lunch was at Kibbutz Rummit Rachel, then on to the Mount of Olives, passing the garden of Gethsemane. The ancient olive trees are gnarled and no one knows how old they are because the centre of the trees has rotted away. The view over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives was impressive, and we were reminded of how Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Visited the Church of All Nations and the Pater Noster Church. While the focus there was on the Lord's Prayer, there was a cave beside the church where Jesus is said to have stayed and taught. A Widow's Mite along with a "certificate" was purchased by Phil M.
On first impressions, Jerusalem is quite hilly with deep valleys surrounding the walls of the old city. Distances between various key buildings and places are also close and compact.
The Lions Gate
Pedestrian "traffic" in the Old City
The Pool of Bethesda
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Mosaic from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Olive Tree on the Mount of Olives
Ancient Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane
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