The One and Only Land of Holy

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas! 🌟 As we celebrate this special day, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas. It's a time of God showing His great love for us, a time of healing and renewed strength. May you feel God's presence in the midst of your festive preparations and enjoy the beauty of the season. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and joyful Christmas! 🕊️✨

14/11/2023

In the fading light of dusk, the ancient stones of Robinson's Arch stand testament to millennia of history in the Old City of Jerusalem. A solitary figure gazes out over the archaeological remains, where once throngs of worshippers and travelers tread. The Western Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple, evokes a profound connection to heritage and faith. As the moon hangs in the sky, one might recall the words from Psalms 122:6, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you.'"

This photo captures the historical Robinson's Arch, part of the archaeological site next to the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City. The arch was an ancient stone arch that once stood at the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount. The stones at the base are remnants of what was a grandiose stairway leading to the temple's entrance, reflecting the engineering prowess of the Herodian period.

Herodian Engineering Western Wall

08/11/2023

Stepping through the Zion Gate, I'm reminded of the rich tapestry of history and faith that Jerusalem embodies. This ancient portal has stood witness to countless stories, echoing the words from Psalms 87:2-3, 'The Lord loves the gates of more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, city of God.' Let's cherish and preserve the sanctity and beauty of these age-old stones.

04/11/2023

In the heart of Jerusalem's Old City lies the Muristan, a peaceful enclave that feels like a living where every corner has a tale to tell. Here, the imposing bell tower of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer stands proudly, offering stories carved in stone. Just a breath away, the of the Holy Sepulchre's ancient domes whisper tales of devotion, echoing through the ages. As the present mingles with the past, the Old City's soulful beauty remains as poignant as ever.
Within these walls, we walk in the footsteps of history and faith. 'Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!' (Psalm 122:7).

Here, in Jerusalem's Old City, the echoes of ancient prayers blend with the murmur of the living city.

24/09/2023

As the Yom Kippur fast begins, let us look inward and seek forgiveness, hope, and renewal. Wishing you a peaceful and contemplative day.

30/06/2023

📸Swipe to get lost in the enchanting beauty of Jerusalem's Old City!🌆🇮🇱

Picture 1: The serene atmosphere envelops you as you stand atop the historic Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center. The age-old structures of the Old City stretch out beneath, whispering tales of history and faith.

Picture 2: As the sun sets, the golden hues cast a mystical glow upon the ancient walls. The intertwining of cultures, traditions, and religions in this holy land is palpable in the air.

✨Jerusalem, a city where history comes alive and spirituality transcends through time. Its age-old walls have stood witness to countless stories, and its winding streets invite you to create your own. 🕍🕌⛪️

07/11/2022

If I forget you, Jerusalem...

21/08/2022

By this steps and other jews of his Era walked up to approach the Temple

17/08/2022

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke tell that Jesus and his disciples went to the Mount of Olives after the Last Supper.

He left eight of the disciples together in one place and withdrew further with Peter, James and John. He asked them — the three who had witnessed his Transfiguration — to stay awake with him while he prayed.

“threw himself on the ground” (Matthew 26:39) and in his anguish “his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground” (Luke 22:44). But the three disciples, all of them fishermen who were used to working through the night, could not stay awake “because of grief” (Luke 22:45).

17/08/2022

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher compound is believed by Catholics and some other Christians to be the site where Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and buried. Located in the quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.

18/07/2022

View of The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem that has been used as a cemetery by for 3,000 years. With over one hundred thousand graves it is also the largest in the world!

Below is located the , known in the as the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which lies in between the and the Old City Temple Mount. And Garden of where prayed and his slept.

18/07/2022

The Tower of David (also known as David’s Citadel) is one of Jerusalem’s most well-known sites and rests on the ruins of fortifications made by the David.
Today’s tower, located near the Gate to the Old City, was originally built in the 2nd century BCE to strategically strengthen the city’s defenses, and was destroyed and rebuilt repeatedly over the centuries.
The citadel’s beautifully brings to life Jerusalem’s history and offers changing exhibitions and activities for all ages. The courtyard houses important ruins, some dating back almost 3,000 years.

18/07/2022

Known in only as “the brook Kidron,” the Kidron Valley runs north to south between the and the eastern wall of the . The 20-mile long stretch naturally descends 4,000 feet and tapers off into the Dead Sea. Originally filled by the Spring, the flow of in the was eventually diverted through the construction of complex water supply systems during the and Israelite periods.

The Kidron Valley was traversed by many notable figures, including David, who was described crossing the brook barefoot and weeping while fleeing from Absalom (2 Samuel 15); and even Himself crossed the valley to meet with the disciples (John 18:1-2). It is also the place believed to be where Jesus was tempted by Satan to jump (Matthew 4:8) during His testing in the wilderness. The valley is also home to the Garden of , where Jesus prayed the night before His .

The northern valley, also known as the biblical King’s Valley, mentioned in 14, sees the most foot traffic, given its proximity to strategic sites in . Visitors are free to walk the white stone path into the heart of the valley to view the scores of olive trees and 2,000-year-old which face the .

The monuments, named after biblical figures, are tombs of prominent residents who dwelt in during the Period:

Absalom’s Tomb
The Cave of Jehoshaphat
The Tomb of Zechariah

16/07/2022

Along these of the Franciscan monastery is a small which is sealed with bricks, as seen below.

There are two inscribed stones on both sides of the gate, with verses from John:
The left reads “Locus in Quo”, which in common law means ” scene of the event” . The scene is the place where apprehended and where he was flogged.

The two lines are from John 19 1 “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him”;

The right inscription is a verse from John 19 2 “And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head…”.

#

24/06/2022

Dear friends! Have a great and from

20/06/2022

This sprawling of the Holy Sepulchre displays a mish-mash of styles. It bears the scars of fires and earthquakes, deliberate destruction and reconstruction down the centuries.

Yet it remains a living place of . Its stones are steeped in , hymns and . It bustles daily with fervent rounds of incensing and processions.

This is the pre-eminent shrine for , who consider it the holiest place on earth. And it attracts by the thousand, all drawn to pay homage to their , .

18/06/2022

Sunset at Old Jaffa

18/06/2022

A short walk on the of Old City.
From the Tower of David to .

18/06/2022

Southeast corner of the complex. You can see the remains of Robinson's arch and part of the

18/06/2022

05/06/2022

The Tower of David ( ) is located on the western side of the old city (near gate). It is the main entrance from the western section to the eastern (old city section).

Psalms 48:12:”Walk about , and go round about her: tell the thereof”.

At times this section was the north-west corner of the “upper city”, and the tower and were built to protect this side.

03/06/2022

Shabat shalom, dear friends and Happy

29/05/2022

Happy Jerusalem Day, friends! 🎉💐🇮🇱

20/05/2022

Ein Karem has both and . Referenced as “BeitaKerem” in the books of Jeremiah and Nehemiah, the area was within the juristiction of the Tribe of Judah, from whom the classification of “Jew” originated.

For Christians, Ein Karem is best known as the birthplace of John the Baptist, and in fact is considered one of the top tour destinations for Christian . The village is home to five and : The Church of St. John the Baptist (not to be confused with a church in the Old City by the same name), Visitation Church, the Notre Dame de Sion convent, the Greek Orthodox St. John convent, and the Al Moskovia Russian monastery (originally called the Gorny Monastery). Additionally, a focal point is the famous Mary’s Well, where it’s believed that Mary, miraculously pregnant with , sat and drank from its spring waters while sitting with Elizabeth, who was miraculously with John at the same time.

08/02/2022

View of The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem that has been used as a cemetery by for 3,000 years. With over one hundred thousand graves it is also the largest in the world!

Below is located the , known in the as the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which lies in between the and the Old City Temple Mount.

08/02/2022

Goldenhour View of the Oldcity of Jerusalem and Mount Zion

For those interested in and history, Mount Zion offers several unique sights that are situated near each other. A key place for as well as it holds important constructions dating from the 20th century as well as a compound built by the that marks the spot of both tomb and the Room of the

The Dormition Church marks the place the Virgin Mary died, hence the name of the (Dormir = Sleep). A community of German-speaking monks live in the . The church is built on the remains of earlier churches – from the Crusader and periods. The remains can be seen in the church to this day.