Saturday is Shabbat in the Holy Land, which means that we go to church. It has been a bit strange at first, especially because we went out on the town today, even though it was Sunday.
After church on Shabbat everyone in the group decided to go to the Garden Tomb. Rebelling against the masses, and not desiring to be out in large numbers with the rest of the group (big groups can be frustrating) four of my new friends and I decided to find our way over to the Orson Hyde Garden and Garden of Gethsemane. It turned out to be a wonderful adventure.
This is the park where Orson Hyde dedicated the Holy Land for the gathering of the Jews. Here is a portion of the prayer (October 24, 1841):
"Now, O Lord! Thy servant has been obedient to the heavenly vision which Thou gavest him in his native land; and under the shadow of Thine outstretched arm, he has safely arrived in this place to dedicate and consecrate this land unto Thee, for the gathering together of Judah's scattered remnants, according to the predictions of the holy Prophets -- for the building up of Jerusalem again after it has been trodden down by the Gentiles so long, and for rearing a Temple in honor of Thy name. Everlasting thanks be ascribed unto Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast preserved Thy servant from the dangers of the seas, and from the plague and pestilence which have caused the land to mourn. The violence of man has also been restrained, and Thy providential care by night and by day has been exercised over Thine unworthy servant. Accept, therefore, O Lord, the tribute of a grateful heart for all past favors, and be pleased to continue Thy kindness and mercy towards a needy worm of the dust.”
The garden isn't very safe I guess because it's one of the few places we have to have a guy with us, a group of 5 (instead of 3), and can only go to in the daytime. It was beautiful when we were there, and we only saw one other person and he was reading a book about finding God.
After church on Shabbat everyone in the group decided to go to the Garden Tomb. Rebelling against the masses, and not desiring to be out in large numbers with the rest of the group (big groups can be frustrating) four of my new friends and I decided to find our way over to the Orson Hyde Garden and Garden of Gethsemane. It turned out to be a wonderful adventure.
This is the park where Orson Hyde dedicated the Holy Land for the gathering of the Jews. Here is a portion of the prayer (October 24, 1841):
"Now, O Lord! Thy servant has been obedient to the heavenly vision which Thou gavest him in his native land; and under the shadow of Thine outstretched arm, he has safely arrived in this place to dedicate and consecrate this land unto Thee, for the gathering together of Judah's scattered remnants, according to the predictions of the holy Prophets -- for the building up of Jerusalem again after it has been trodden down by the Gentiles so long, and for rearing a Temple in honor of Thy name. Everlasting thanks be ascribed unto Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast preserved Thy servant from the dangers of the seas, and from the plague and pestilence which have caused the land to mourn. The violence of man has also been restrained, and Thy providential care by night and by day has been exercised over Thine unworthy servant. Accept, therefore, O Lord, the tribute of a grateful heart for all past favors, and be pleased to continue Thy kindness and mercy towards a needy worm of the dust.”
The garden isn't very safe I guess because it's one of the few places we have to have a guy with us, a group of 5 (instead of 3), and can only go to in the daytime. It was beautiful when we were there, and we only saw one other person and he was reading a book about finding God.
After that we wandered over to the Garden of Gethsemane. There are lots of churches here, built on top of various sites of Christian pilgrimage sites. The Church of All Nations for example was rebuilt in 1924 on top of the Crusader Church (1170) which was built on top of the Byzantine site (747) which was built over the top of the rock it was believed that Christ prayed on while he suffered in the Garden. This church was beautiful inside and there were all sorts of Russian monks and nuns who were on a pilgrimage there and were singing in the nave when we walked in.
We had wanted to go to the Russian Church of St. Mary Magdalen, but it was closed. Instead we climbed up to the Dominus Flevit Chapel, which is the traditional site of where Jesus looked out and wept for Jerusalem. It was wonderful just tromping around the Mount of Olives. Rather surreal actually.
We had wanted to go to the Russian Church of St. Mary Magdalen, but it was closed. Instead we climbed up to the Dominus Flevit Chapel, which is the traditional site of where Jesus looked out and wept for Jerusalem. It was wonderful just tromping around the Mount of Olives. Rather surreal actually.
On the way home I found a flower on the road and put it in my hair. Look at the cute Palestinian girl behind me. (There were little kids out everywhere last night, just hanging around and watching people and playing together. The kids are really adorable here. It's especially fun to see them in the old city with their spiderman backpacks and yamakas.)
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