Since this is Holy Week, today we’re visiting Jerusalem where Jesus Christ walked the path to His crucifixion 2,000+ years ago. One blessing-ish perk of living for 5 years not-too-far from the Old City was following the Via Dolorosa on Good Friday. (i usually went with the Anglicans who did the just-after-sunrise morning walk Before The Crowds!)
I always enjoyed walking around the Old City – several of my colleagues & friends lived there, mainly in the Coptic & Armenian Convents. (No, there were not nuns, but under the Ottomans the city was divided into ‘sections’ or neighborhoods, in some cases owned by Very Old Churches whose families have lived there for eons!)
At the Fifth Station Jesus gets help from Simon the Cyrenean
The Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over the site where tradition places the tomb of Jesus. (interesting to note that everyone always kisses the stone, but the Latin inscription reads: “He is not here. He is Risen.” – Abuna Chacour pointed that out once & i never forgot!)
As you walk around the streets of the Old City you will see that it is a very special place in the Jewish & Muslim faiths as well.
This week as we remember the Via Dolorosa (‘way of grief’) of Jesus Christ, please pray for the peace of Jerusalem – that the peoples of different faiths living there may find unity without bloodshed & dignity without demolishing hearts dreaming of a future of peaceful coexistence for their children (who are all God’s Beloved children!)
grace, peace & Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Virginia : )
“…as Jesus approached Jerusalem & saw the city, He wept over it…” (Luke 19:41)
Roses in the Rubble 
Ginny,
Those pics really take you there–fascinating!
Cin
Cin – thanx & will never forget your visit in the Old City to Murphy’s! : )
Thank you for this, a lovely reminder.
Thanks for walking with me in Jerusalem(!)..
(& i can’t wait to try your homemade granola recipe! : )
Happy Good Friday, Virginia! 🙂
Thank you for that interesting sight-seeing trip through Jerusalem!
I’d love to travel abroad someday, and the Old City would certainly
be on my list of places to visit. There’s a feeling I’ve yet to feel there,
I bet. Like…when The Truth of His-story hits home, it will seem familiar.
Yes? I pray you and yours have a wonderful Easter weekend! Peace, UT
Uncle Tree – ‘the truth of His-story’ continues there & here – wherever the Light of Jesus continues to shine. ‘Tis very special, though, to walk where Jesus walked & pray… (Gethsemane was always my favorite church, overseen by the Franciscans, always a quiet, worshipful place to pray!) Hope you will make it there one day!
YOU & yours must most definitely have a Blessed Easter Weekend (!)
grace, peace & His-story truth
Virginia : )