After lunch, we walked through the Jewish Quarters (Judaica) and through the Cardo Maximus or simply the Cardo.
It was a monumental royal road, which was typical of the grand Roman cities. Cardo maximus ("the main line") was the main North-South royal road in the Roman and Byzantine Aelia Capetalina (Jerusalem). A small section of this grand and wide road was excavated in the Jewish quarter, probably built in the 6th century AD. The rendition below looks what it would have looked like then.
It was a monumental royal road, which was typical of the grand Roman cities. Cardo maximus ("the main line") was the main North-South royal road in the Roman and Byzantine Aelia Capetalina (Jerusalem). A small section of this grand and wide road was excavated in the Jewish quarter, probably built in the 6th century AD. The rendition below looks what it would have looked like then.
It is emphasized in the
Madaba map, showing that it played a central role in the urban
design of the Byzantine city. Below is a copy of the Jerusalem map discovered in 1884 in a Byzantine church in Madaba, Jordan. This ancient map, laid out in the 6th C AD, shows the map of the Holy Land, with dozens of illustrated sites. 
It is a street of about 53 feet and had columns (pillars).
The Cardo built by the Romans (135-312) and used by the Byzantines. The
road is in the middle of the photo and extends to the left past the
edge. To the right are
the original columns of the colonnaded street. To the right of the
columns is the Roman sidewalk. Notice the square curb. Curb, columns and
sidewalk were also on the other side of this street.
Ancient arched shop fronts and their vaulted rooms along the sidewalk of
the Cardo in ancient Aelia Capitolina, the Roman Jerusalem.
Notice the modern city street level is about 20 feet above the street level of 135 AD. There is a stairway coming down to the Cardo.
This city was built by Hadrian, a Roman emperor in about 132 AD. He was heading to Alexandria and came through Jerusalem, which had been destroyed in 70 AD. He built a pagan city over the ruins.After walking through the Armenian Quarter . . .
Lots of bullet holes in the metal doors of
the gate and the wall that took place during the Six-Days War in 1967.
One internet site explained the Six Day War in this way: Six days of war between Israel and its Arab neighbors in June 1967 re-shaped the modern Middle East.
The repercussions of the conflict continue to reverberate. To some, the Six Day War, or the June '67 War, as Arabs prefer to call it, never really ended.
To Israelis, victory brought reunification of Jerusalem, renewed access to holy sites, and greatly expanded the size of the fledgling Jewish state. For Palestinians and Arabs, including Egyptians, Syrians and Jordanians, it was a humiliating defeat that cost them the West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza and the Golan Heights. There continues to be conflict over East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.
One internet site explained the Six Day War in this way: Six days of war between Israel and its Arab neighbors in June 1967 re-shaped the modern Middle East.
The repercussions of the conflict continue to reverberate. To some, the Six Day War, or the June '67 War, as Arabs prefer to call it, never really ended.
To Israelis, victory brought reunification of Jerusalem, renewed access to holy sites, and greatly expanded the size of the fledgling Jewish state. For Palestinians and Arabs, including Egyptians, Syrians and Jordanians, it was a humiliating defeat that cost them the West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza and the Golan Heights. There continues to be conflict over East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.
As we continued our walk, we passed a black pepper tree. Tarez had us smell some of the "fruit." I don't think I've ever seen a pepper tree before.
Another place that we were all looking forward to visiting was the Upper Room, where among other things, The Last Supper was held.
However, due to the Pope coming this next week, the room was closed for fixing it up inside. This was so disappointing to all of us!
Brother Thompson spoke to us here about the things that happened in this upper room: The Last Supper (a somber time) - the Passover meal (Seder dinner) or “feast of unleavened bread.” (Luke 22). The sacrament was instituted here.
In addition, Jesus' final words / teachings were here (John 13): Washing of feet of the Twelve, a new commandment: “As I have loved you, love one another,” the Comforter, and prayer.
This is also the room where Jesus appeared to the disciples (without Thomas) after his resurrection and again eight days later with Thomas present (John 20).
Since at least the 4th Century AD, this structure identified as the Cenacle (Latin word for "dinner") has been a popular Christian pilgrimage site on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The building has experienced numerous cycles of destruction and reconstruction, culminating in the Gothic structure which stands today. It is beautiful inside with its Gothic domed ceiling, and is bare of furniture.
The building where the Last Supper was held actually has three floors. On the ground level are several Jewish synagogues, and the site is one of the Holiest Jewish places as it is considered the place where King David is buried. The second floor is the Christian floor where the Last Supper was held; and the Muslim area is on the roof where there is a mosque and call for prayer tower. (This is on the opposite side of the entrance for the Last Supper room.)
However, due to the Pope coming this next week, the room was closed for fixing it up inside. This was so disappointing to all of us!
Brother Thompson spoke to us here about the things that happened in this upper room: The Last Supper (a somber time) - the Passover meal (Seder dinner) or “feast of unleavened bread.” (Luke 22). The sacrament was instituted here.
 |
| (Looking down into the courtyard and the stairs leading up to the Last Supper Room.) |
In addition, Jesus' final words / teachings were here (John 13): Washing of feet of the Twelve, a new commandment: “As I have loved you, love one another,” the Comforter, and prayer.
This is also the room where Jesus appeared to the disciples (without Thomas) after his resurrection and again eight days later with Thomas present (John 20).
Since at least the 4th Century AD, this structure identified as the Cenacle (Latin word for "dinner") has been a popular Christian pilgrimage site on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The building has experienced numerous cycles of destruction and reconstruction, culminating in the Gothic structure which stands today. It is beautiful inside with its Gothic domed ceiling, and is bare of furniture.
The building where the Last Supper was held actually has three floors. On the ground level are several Jewish synagogues, and the site is one of the Holiest Jewish places as it is considered the place where King David is buried. The second floor is the Christian floor where the Last Supper was held; and the Muslim area is on the roof where there is a mosque and call for prayer tower. (This is on the opposite side of the entrance for the Last Supper room.)
We were able to go into the St. David School just in time because it was about ready to close. This is the Traditional site of the tomb of King David. According
to the Bible he is buried in city of David – 1 mile to the east. But, there is belief that after several centuries the tombs were probably
destroyed and buried under the newly expanding city. This may have
happened during the 1st or 2nd C AD.
A sculpture of King David playing the Harp is located near the entrance to the site.
Once we were inside, we were divided into men and women again. Men had to have their heads covered--those without a hat could receive a complimentary yarmulke.
The men's side.
The Women's Side - Women were praying and putting prayers on papers under the
shroud covering the stone or sarcophagus.
A sculpture of King David playing the Harp is located near the entrance to the site.
Once we were inside, we were divided into men and women again. Men had to have their heads covered--those without a hat could receive a complimentary yarmulke.
The men's side. The Women's Side - Women were praying and putting prayers on papers under the
shroud covering the stone or sarcophagus.
After leaving the Tomb of David, we passed this huge grapevine ball. I'm not sure what it stands for, but George and I had to laugh thinking about Chevy Chase's vacation movies when he wants the kids to see everything. I feel like on this trip, we haven't missed very much!
We passed by the Dormition Abbey, a grand German Bendictine Abbey located on top of Mount Zion, commemorating the memory of the Virgin Mary as the traditional site of her death.
Our trek next took us to St. Peter's in Gallicantu or House of Caiaphas.
As the sign states this church commemorates:
1. The appearance of Jesus to the high priest Caiaphas
2. Sentencing Jesus to death by the Sanhedrin
3. The triple denial of Peter and his repentance when the rooster crows.
This is the most recent church covering the site where Jesus was tried by Caiaphas, the leader of the Sanhedrin. This trial broke many Jewish laws (ie. The trial was held at night, it was the Sabbath, no witnesses were present, not enough of the Sanhedrin present to convene like this.)
Notice the cock (rooster) on top of the building.
The palace of the high priest where
the Lord Jesus was examined before the Council in Jerusalem, the
Sanhedrin, was not only mentioned in the Bible but also became a
site for this Christian church to be built, on the Hill of the Upper
City.
Arrow pointing to the entrance of the church built on what is thought to be the former House of Caiaphas or Palace of Caiaphas where Peter denied Jesus in one of the courts of the palace that formerly was here.  |
The doors into the church show the denial of Peter with the cock predominately in the picture.
“Gallicantu” refers to the crowing of the cock. As Jesus was being questioned, this is possibly the site where Peter made those denials.
“Gallicantu” refers to the crowing of the cock. As Jesus was being questioned, this is possibly the site where Peter made those denials.
After Tareq showed us the doors and reminded us of Peter's denial, Brother Thompson later added that though Peter denied three
times that he knew Jesus (and then the cock crowed), he never denied the
divinity of the Savior. He was the trusted head apostle.
After Jesus was first arrested, he was taken to Annas who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. (John 18:13)
There Jesus was questioned, struck, and mistreated. He was then taken bound before Caiaphas.
Beautiful paintings and stained glass tell the story of the last few hours of Jesus' life.
Beautiful paintings and stained glass tell the story of the last few hours of Jesus' life.
In Matthew 26:57-67, we read that when Caiaphas asked Jesus whether "thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death."
Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck you?"
Shortly after this, Peter who had been watching in the wings denied for the third time knowing Jesus, "and immediately the cock crew."
Statue we passed that said: "Servus Domini," meaning "Your humble servant, my noble lord."
We were able to go to a little chapel down the stairs from the main chapel where we held our devotional for the day.
Brother Thompson helped us all recall the events of that terrible night and all that the Savior went through for each one of us.
In the area below this building are underground rooms. The Pit is a holding cell/prison that Jesus would have been lowered into with a rope to hold Him there until morning.
The sign indicated that not only was Jesus held in this Pit area of the underground caves and scourged there by Caiaphas, but Peter and John would have been held here and scourged for preaching the name of Jesus in the temple area after the resurrection. (Acts 5:19-42)
The sign indicated that not only was Jesus held in this Pit area of the underground caves and scourged there by Caiaphas, but Peter and John would have been held here and scourged for preaching the name of Jesus in the temple area after the resurrection. (Acts 5:19-42)
Here in the Pit, one of the women in our group read Psalms 88, (a
prayer of one who feels forsaken) aloud in the pit.
Matthew 27:1-2 - "When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor."
Sacred stone
steps – cut into the hill on the side of the church. That path leads to the City of David and to Gethsemane.
This is the likely path Jesus would have walked from the Upper Room to
Gethsemane and then from the house of Caiaphas to be taken to Pilate.
A plaque on the wall stating "After the Supper, Jesus left the Upper Room with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley," showing the stairs they walked on.
A statue in the area depicts Peter with the words: "Non novi illum" which means, "I do not know him."
As we were waiting for the bus, we all snapped a few pictures of this beautiful area on the mountain top--so different looking now than it would have been on the night Jesus went through so many unfair and cruel events. This is Brother and Sister Thompson who provided so much insight into the scriptures for us. Plus, they were like a mom and dad who really watched over all of us.
Our tour directors, Pam and Dan Newbold who literally had everything planned so well as to where we went and what we did, it was just amazing! Plus, if there was ever anything you left behind or needed, they were the first ones to make sure you had it.
The view was phenomenal from up here.
Almost everywhere we went, we were reminded that the Pope would be coming in the next few days.
It was easy from this point to see the Separation Wall
(500 miles long) that separates Palestine from Israel. (About 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the picture.) Again, a great day of learning, as well as contemplating. Tomorrow would be our last full day before heading for home. I actually think we left the best for last!
