We beging the day with a knock on the door from Dave, letting us know that Day
light savings time change happened today and we were late for breakfast! After breakfast, Terrance gathered us in a room at the convent for a couple of d
evotions on Christ's agony in the garden and his death and resurrection.
We enter again through the Jaffa Gate and walk through the Christian Quarter to
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is at this location where the events too
k place that is the basis of ou
r Christian faith. This is huge church which was outside of the city walls when Jesus was crucified. The entire church is divided into many chapels of 6 different sects of Christianity. We first observed the site where Jesus was crucified and then saw some empty tombs cut into the rock beneath the church. The line to see the location of Christ's empty tomb was huge, so we went for an early lunch in the Muristan area. Of course there are a multitude of shops selling us souveniers.
Returning to the church, we find that the line is still long but better. We wait for about an hour and are allowed into the site a few at a time to view the marble slab that marks the tomb of Jesus. There were pilgrims from all over the world...we heard Italian, Russian and languages that we couldn't identify. It was a very moving time for all. Many people were lighting candles and extinguishing them to bring home a candle that had been lighted at this site.
We then walk toward the Lion's Gate to the site of the Pool of Bethesda. A church has been built at the site (of course) called St Anne's. This is thought to be the birthplace of Mary...her parents are Anne and Joachim...so that's why the name of the church. The church has amazing acoustics and tour groups go in just to sing. We were so thankful to have Donna Newcombe with us, who could
lead us in a couple songs. Later we were able to hear a group from Uganda singing and dancing. The ruins of the Pools were quite interesting and extensive. Some remains at the site were from a Temple to Asclepius, the god of healing. So it has been known for its healing qualities from ancient times. It was at these pools that Jesus healed the lame man on the Sabbath.
Our next stop is the Garden of Gethsemane, where there is a beautiful garden of old olive trees. And of course another church to commemorate the site and the stone where Jesus prayed in the garden before his death. A few of us walk back through the Muslim Quarter to the Damascus Gate. Then we walk on home to the convent, thinking we would purchase food at the grocery store for a potluck. But is is the Sabbath and the store is closed. A few of the men volunteer to walk into the Old City to find a store that is open. They are successful and we have quite a spread of pita, bread, cheese, meats, fruit and veges.
We say goodbye to Jim, Judi and Jerry who leave us in the morning to head to Jordan and Petra.
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