Holy Jerusalem

The Golden Gate
Mount Zion
Gethsemane
St. Stephan's Gate
Via Dolorosa
Holy Sepulchre
Ceremonies
Mount of Olives
Heavenly Jerusalem
Mount of Olives Print version

he Mount of Olives takes its name from the olive groves that grew there in ancient days. The summit of the mountain provides one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring views of Jerusalem.


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radition claims that on this mountain Jesus taught his disciples the Pater Noster, or the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus crossed this mountain as a pilgrim on his way to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Descending from this mountain, he wept for the Holy City as he envisaged its destruction. On the Mount of Olives, Jesus hid with his disciples from the Romans. And here he was captured and led to his trial and crucifixion. According to Christian belief, Jesus ascended to heaven from the mountaintop. Many churches and monasteries mark these great events.


Eleona
leona is the Greek name for the Mount of Olives, derived from eleon, which means olive. The Pater Noster Church, which is under the auspices of the Carmelite Sisters, stands on its upper part. It was built on the site in which, according to tradition, there lies the cave where Jesus brought his disciples and spoke to them about the mystery of the end.


Luke 11:1-4
Now once he was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray: “Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come; give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.”
Reference also Matthew 6:9-13.


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his prayer is engraved in Aramaic on the marble floor. Visible among the foundations of the church are remnants of an earlier church that, according to tradition, is one of the oldest in the world. The church courtyard contains a mosaic floor from the 5th century, with verses from the Psalms written in Greek. Inside, on the church walls, the Lord’s Prayer is written in many languages on colorful porcelain tiles.



Dominus Flevit
Luke 19:41-44
As he drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it and said ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes! Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will encircle you and hem you in on every side; they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you - and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!’



his church was designed to commemorate the “Weeping of the Master” over the destruction of Jerusalem as Jesus viewed the city from the summit of the Mount of Olives, after leaving Bethphage for Jerusalem. It was built in 1955 over a Byzantine monastery. Like many other Catholic churches in the Holy Land, it was designed by Antonio Barluzzi. The sanctuary is constructed in the shape of a teardrop as a poignant reminder of this event. Its altar points westward toward Jerusalem with a magnificent view overlooking Jerusalem. Luke 19:4 1 As he drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it...
A mosaic on the altar depicts a hen with her chicks, and around them are the words from Luke 13:34. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused!


The Church of the Ascension
Luke 24:50-51 Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. Reference also Mark 16:19.
orty days after having risen from the dead, Jesus ascended to heaven. During those forty days he revealed himself to his disciples. Ten days leater, on Pentecost, the aposteles gathered in Jerusalem, were filled with the holy Spirit, and set forth to spread the good news around the world.



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his was the event that consecrated the Mount of Olives and over the years, churches were built on its summit in commemoration of the ascent of Jesus to Heaven. The Church of the Ascension was built on the mountain at the close of the 4th century. During its construction, a rumor spread that a footprint of Jesus, preserved throughout the generations, had been found on site. That church stood until the 10th century, after which the Crusaders built the present one over it, in a style reminiscent of a fort rather than a church, with its surrounding defense-wall loopholes and watch towers. The church is open to the sky, thus symbolizing Jesus’ ascent.
The rock bearing the footprint of Christ lies in the middle of the church.
Near the Church of the Ascension, visible from afar, is the Russian Ascension Church under the auspices of the “White Russians.”



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