Via Dolorosa, Way of Grief, Way of Suffering

Via Dolorosa is a street in the Old City of Jerusalem. Traditionally, it is held to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. It is marked by nine of the fourteen Stations of the Cross. The last five stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. (wikipedia)




14 stations of the cross.


Throughout the Via Dolorosa you will find pilgrims gathered around some of the staions to mourn and pray.

Garden Tomb, Jerusalem

The Graden Tomb in Jerusalem is considered by some to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus. The Garden Tomb falls out of the Old City Walls. The Traditional site of the Jesus' tom is where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre now stands.

From the experience that I have had so far in the Holy land. To me it does not techincally matter where is was burried but, the fact that Jesus walked among this Holy site and that I am here walking were he walked, learning where he taught. The most important is that I believe and so does many more.

Bethlehem

Church of the Nativity

The church is maintained by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.Church of St. Catherine, a Roman Catholic church built next to the Church of the Nativity.
The Star under the Alter (above) marks the birth spot of Jesus.

We went to Bethlehem located in Palestine. Getting there was an adventure of its one. We started by taking bus 21 next to the Jaffa Gate. Before getting to Palestine terriroty we all had to get out the bus and show our documents to some of the army men. After a few minutes of them searching the bus and checking documentation they let everyone in the bus except 4 people. Some people say that Israelitas cannot go into palestine so at those check points they are taking out of the bus. Luckily we were able to continue. Getting closed to Nativity Church these three ladies got in the bus who to my surprise they were from Mexico and were visiting family in Paelestine and Jerusalem for a week. These was an experience like to other meeting people that spoke my language was just incredible.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel. It is next to the Israeli Mediterranean Sea. We walked around the area of Jaffa but, the humidity and hot sun drained all of us. So, we all headed to the beach. The soft, light sand was just amazing and the Water temperature was just right.

Temple Mount

Entering Temple Mount on the right are these beautiful archs.
This is the Dome of the Rocks. There is a rock in the center of the dome ths is believed to be the spot from which Prophet Muhammad ascended to God in heaven. (belief by Muslims) Only Muslims are allowed to enter the Shrine.

The Golden Gate - Located on the East is said to be where the Messiah will come. There are many gates at Temple Mount and they are all closed.

Yemin Moshe

The entire group was headed today to Architect David Guffenheim's office and on our way there we passed through this small residential area called Yemin Moshe. The Landscape, pavement and flowers made this place a great place to be, walk and and live. The area or road I believe is called Eliot.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre and More

Yesterday - We walked to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where it is said that this was the place where Jesus was buried. The church has been an important pilgrimage destination since the 4th century, as it is purported to be the site of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. On Monday the 14th of July, we will be walking the entire "Via Dolarosa" The entire stations of the cross and would hopefuly enter the Rotanda.

Just inside the entrance is The Stone of Anointing, believed to be the spot where Jesus' body was prepared for burial. It isthe 13th station of the cross. The lamps that hang over the stone are contributed by Armenians, Copts, Greeks and Latins.

To the left, or west, is The Rotunda of the Anastasis beneath the larger of the church's two domes, in the center of which is The Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre itself. The Edicule has two rooms. The first one holds The Angel's Stone, a fragment of the stone believed to have sealed the tomb after Jesus' burial. The second one is the tomb itself.

These are some random night shots what we took on our way back to the Biblical Institution that we are staying while in Jerusalem.