The Holy Sites

Once in Jerusalem Anne and Mark visited some of the Holy Sites located there.  As the cradle of three of the world's major religions (probably several others), Holy Sites are plentiful there.  Some of them are easily identified and their histories are easily verified.  Others may be sites that are recognized as a particular place by one group or another, but questions about the accuracy of these sites may be raised by others.  For example, one such debate exists between churches over the place where Jesus was crucified.  Some churches believe that place is where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre now stands, while others believe it is the Garden Tomb.

Entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Some Christian churches recognize the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the site where Jesus was crucified as well as the site where Jesus' body was taken after it was removed from the cross.  The Garden Tomb is recognized by some Christians as the place where Jesus was crucified and buried, but no church has been erected over the site.  The claim by the Garden Tomb is based partially on the facts that there is a tomb cut into the rock and a nearby rock formation looks a bit like a skull (Christ was crucified at Golgotha, which can be translated to "place of the skull.")

Skull in the rock formation at the Garden Tomb

The Garden Tomb is also located adjacent to an area that archaeologists have identified as a place where executions took place.  Unfortunately, archaeologists discovered this after several new construction projects had taken place and the former execution site is now a parking lot for tour buses.

And there were a lot of tour buses.  While touring the Garden Tomb site, Anne and Mark encountered at least three distinct groups of Americans who had traveled there.  Large groups.  One of them was holding a service (in English with a twang - probably North Carolina?) right outside the rock formation above (near the bus lot).  Anne later attempted to enter the tomb cut into the rock and was pushed aside by one of these 'pilgrims' so that they could get a photo of one of their friends coming out of the tomb.  (WWJP - who would Jesus push?)  Needless to say the level of reverence at these sites was on a sliding scale.

But that was at the Garden Tomb, back to the Holy Sepelchre.  Immediately upon stepping inside the building, pilgrims and other visitors encounter the Stone of the Anointing (also called the Stone of Unction).  This is recognized by some as the stone where Jesus' body was placed after being taken down from the cross.

At the other end of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visitors can enter the Edicle of the Holy Seplechre.  Some churches recognize this as the tomb of Christ.

Luke's gospel tells us that Jesus was placed in a tomb cut in the rock.  The local church authorities determined that this was the site of the tomb and built the structure pictured above to mark the location and allow pilgrims an opportunity to pray there.  Now the site is jointly administered and cared for by the priests of several different churches.

Some parts of Jerusalem are clearly where certain Biblical events took place, with no corresponding debate.  Anne and Mark were both raised in the Catholic church and, as such, are familiar with the stations of the cross.  Obviously Anne and Mark were aware that the events detailed in the Passion occurred in Jerusalem and were aware that they would be visiting the sites described in the Gospels, but it was still a bit stunning to actually walk through the Garden of Gethsemane, visit the Church of the Agony, and see the path that Jesus must have walked with the cross up the hill through the gate and into the City of Jerusalem.

The trees in the Garden of Gethsemane are at least hundreds of years old and appear in various stages of growth in paintings made during the Middle Ages.

The city of Jerusalem is a major holy site for Jews, Christians and Muslims and the close proximity of the holy sites of these three major religions is the source of conflict that has lasted centuries.  Anne and Mark were aware of this fact prior to visiting Jerusalem, but actually visiting the city really emphasizes exactly how proximate these sites are to one another.  The Western Wall (sometimes referred to as the "Wailing Wall") is a holy site for the Jewish people as it is a surviving remnant of the original temple.

Just beyond the Western Wall is the Dome of the Rock, a sacred place for Muslims.  The Dome of the Rock is built upon the Foundation Stone, which is a sacred place for both Jews and Muslims.  Jews believe this is where Abraham was preparing to sacrifice Isaac and probably the place where the "Holy of Holies" was located within the original Temple of Solomon. Some Muslims believe that this same place is the place where where the prophet ascended to heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel.

The Western Wall is in the foreground to the right, with the Dome of the Rock beyond it.  The lights to the left were for a wedding that was taking place on the evening of our visit.