At 7:30am, we loaded the bus and headed towards the Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock): Holy to both Muslims and Jews, the Temple Mount is the most remarkable well-known symbol of Jerusalem and the most controversial too. For Jews it is the ancient Mount Moriah, where Abraham almost sacrificed his son Isaac, and where the First and Second Temples were built. For Muslims it is their third holiest shrine, said to be the site from where Muhammad ascended to heaven. Visible from almost anywhere around the Old City, the Temple Mount is a wide area with the Dome of the Rock in its center and the El-Aqsa Mosque at its southern edge.
Next we walked down to the Western Wall Tunnel. The underground tunnel starting at the north-west of the prayer plaza passes close to the part of the Western Wall that is hidden by the buildings. It goes through a system of vaulted areas and water cisterns. In a tunnel the largest stones of the Wall were found, including a giant stone weighing approximately 400 tons.
From there, we walked The Via Dolorosa. The Via Dolorosa is also called the way of the cross. This is the tradition path that Christ took before and leading to the crucifixion. We ended our walk on the Via Dolorosa at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the ancient city of Jerusalem. As large as a football field, the church was originally built in the 4th century AD to cover the locations of Christ’s crucifixion and His burial.
Finally, we visited the Western (Wailing) Wall. The Western wall is a remnant of Herod's grand temple, and is the holiest site for Jews. It attracts thousands of Jewish worshippers daily, who come to pray and lay out their problems and seek for heavenly guidance. They feel the presence of God's spirit, who according to their belief resides for thousands of years in the holy temple.
Today was a long day of walking and wonderful sites. We are all looking forward to our day off tomorrow. This day will be spent visiting sites on our own, walking through Jerusalem, and of course shopping! Hope you have been having fun following our journeys. We all look forward to sharing stories with you personally! Shalom!
Next we walked down to the Western Wall Tunnel. The underground tunnel starting at the north-west of the prayer plaza passes close to the part of the Western Wall that is hidden by the buildings. It goes through a system of vaulted areas and water cisterns. In a tunnel the largest stones of the Wall were found, including a giant stone weighing approximately 400 tons.
From there, we walked The Via Dolorosa. The Via Dolorosa is also called the way of the cross. This is the tradition path that Christ took before and leading to the crucifixion. We ended our walk on the Via Dolorosa at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the ancient city of Jerusalem. As large as a football field, the church was originally built in the 4th century AD to cover the locations of Christ’s crucifixion and His burial.
Finally, we visited the Western (Wailing) Wall. The Western wall is a remnant of Herod's grand temple, and is the holiest site for Jews. It attracts thousands of Jewish worshippers daily, who come to pray and lay out their problems and seek for heavenly guidance. They feel the presence of God's spirit, who according to their belief resides for thousands of years in the holy temple.
Today was a long day of walking and wonderful sites. We are all looking forward to our day off tomorrow. This day will be spent visiting sites on our own, walking through Jerusalem, and of course shopping! Hope you have been having fun following our journeys. We all look forward to sharing stories with you personally! Shalom!
6 comments:
Do some shopping in the Jerusalem markets for me!! Seeing the pictures and reading your account make me yearn to return! Thanks for the blog.
Fantastic pictures, Ian! Hope all is well with everyone. Keep having fun & be safe.
Love you,
Mom
Wow! The pictures bring back such wonderful memories. You all are in our prayers!
Thank you, Ian, for the pictures and for updating us as you travel. It is so interesting! Hope everyone is having a good time. Stay safe.
Hi Mom and Dad!
Love and prayers,
Melinda and family
Hey Ian and Bill!
Sonia says hi, she's done with group and is currently sunning on the beach in Las Terrenas with Elizabeth (meanwhile I strip cabinets and remove wallpaper in the kitchen -- how'd I agree to this again?)
Sonia back late Wednesday I'll post a message to that then.
Great pictures and description -- it's been interesting to follow along!
-J
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