PILGRIMAGE through Israel - Part 2

APRIL 4 (WEDNESDAY OF THE HOLY WEEK)

I had contacted Abu Hassan qt the Alternqtive Tours & Transportation (tel. 0522-864205) about the possibility of a trip to Nazareth and the Jordan Valley on this day. However, there was no trip scheduled, so I decided to explore the area opposite the Old City of Jerusalem. Cherly fro, Alberta, Canada who was also staying at Ecce Homo was my co-pilgrim.

First; we walked from Ecce Homo down to the Lion's Gate, across the street to the Mt. of Olives and entered the Church of Getsemane. We attended the Mass with more than a hundred Franciscans who were around and 200 pilgrims.

After the Mass, we explored the garden of Gethsemane beside the church. There are 8 old olive trees believed to have been at the garden as silent witnesses to Jesus' night of vigil.

The facade of the Church of Getsemane.

The walls of the Old City viewed from Gethsemane.

The spot where the apostles slept while Jesus prayed.

The ancient olive trees.

The Jewish cemetery on the Mt. of Olives.

The Old City with the Dome of the Rock.

At the Dominus Flevit; the site on the slope of Mt. Olives where
Jesus shed tears before His entry to Jerusalem.

Inside the shrine at Dominus Flevit. This building is shaped like a tear. Inside as one looks at the altar, one's gaze at the backdrop includes the view of the Dome of the Rock. Here at this spot, I remembered Benny Tudtud and all friends involved in dialogue of faith and life with Muslims in Mindanao.

Inside the Eleona Grotto on the Mt. of Olives believed to be the site of the Ascension. On this day, pilgrims were not allowed entry into the site but a few were provided the privilege by a kind gatekeeper.

The belfry of the Church of the Ascension.

The Ascension artwork on the ceiling of the church.

Inside, the main altar of the church.

Icons of the Madonna and child inside the church.

From the Ascension church we walked down the path to Mary's tomb.

Inside the shrine church where Mary was believed
to have been buried but later her body was

assumed to heaven. Inside the shrine is an empty

tomb where Mary's body was laid.

The facade of the shrine of Mary's tomb viewed from the roqd level just beside the Church of Getsemane.

APRIL 5- HOLY THURSDAY

In the morning, Cheryl and I visited the Dome of the Rock in the Muslim Quarter in the Old City. Non-Muslim pilgrims are allowed to enter the compound passing through a bridge that penetrates
the Western Wall of the Jewish quarter. It was still quite early so there were just a few of us inside the compound. However, we were not allowed to enter the mosques.

From the Dome of the Rock, we went to visit the shrine-church of Mary Magdalene. This is at the upper part of the Mt. of Olives just above the Church of the Getsemane. A stone stairway goes up to the church with 5 onion-shaped domes.

The Dome of the Rock from the Mary Magdalene church.

Inside the Mary Magdalene church are artworks celebrating her life.

It is very interesting that here we didn't see Greek Orthodox priests inside or outside the church. Instead those taking care of the property were women dressed as nuns.

From Mary Magdalene's church, we went to the section of Jerusalem around Mt. Zion walking through the roadway that passes by the Lions, Golden and Dung Gates. We explored the building the second floor of which is believed to be the Cenacle or where the Last Supper took place. There is actually a bigger room which is this picture.

On the wall of this room are artworks zith calligraphic texts fro, the Qu'arn.

More pilgrims arrived and some hold prayer sessions.

There is a smaller room which is better suited for meditation, which is on the side of the bigger room but at a higher level.

A Jewish cemetery that looks abandoned can be seen from the Cenacle.

This is the lower floor of the same building that leads to the tomb of David. It is one of the major Jewish shrines and since this was the season of the Passover, there were many Jewish pilgrims.

The door to the tomb of David.

One can view the settlements from beyond the old city of Jeruslem. The wall set up by the Israeli goernment can be seen from this vantage view.

We then proceeded to the church where Mary was supposed to have spent her last years and where she died.

Inside the church.

In the basement of the church is q shrine where a marble statue of Mary lies above a tomb.

Artworks shozwing Mary as Mother and in terms

of her Assumption.

The Zion Gate.

Near the Tower of David, a busy intersection in the old city.

The Tower of David, now a museum.

The side of the Tower of David facing shops, cafes and restaurants catering to the pilgrims/tourists.

Inside the Greek Orthodox church where we attended a service on Holy Saturday.

On a side altar of the St. James Cathedral is where the head of St. James is supposed to be kept as a relic. Many pilgrims co,e to this spot to pray and light candles.

Early morning of Good Friday, I visited the Chapel where the flagellation of Jesus took place. Three Pinoy tour groups were there to begin their Way of the Cross.

Inside the shrine commemorating Jesus'

encounter with Pilate.

The Lithostrotos or the site of the crowing of Jesus with thorns and where he was mocked by the Roman soldiers. It is at the basement of Ecce Homo, where I was staying.