Day 1 in Jerusalem

 

The highlight of today was visiting the place of crucifixion, burial and resurrection of my Savior. After many many many years Queen Helena ( Elena) mother of Constantine the Great build the Church of Sepulchre. It is a beautiful church as you can see from some of the pictures. After I walked out of the tomb, I was full of emotion and grateful to be in such a holy place. As I watched every person come out I could see how much Jesus is loved around the world.  

The Church is belongs to 6 denominations- Orthodox, Catholic, Arminian, Ethiopian, Protestant, Coptics and the Keys of the Church are held by two Muslim families in Jerusalem. 

Each morning a orthodox monk that sleeps inside the church opens a smaller wooden window in the door and gives the Muslim person a latter to climb up give him the key to open the door. After the door is opened by the monk from inside the key is given back to the Muslim until the next day. They have been doing this ceremony each morning for more then 600 years. 

The basement of the church where Queen Helena found the cross Jesus was crucified. 

The front of the small chapel over Jesus’ tomb

I call this man a false prophet stared to preach right where Gary and I were sitting 

The quite streets of Jerusalem in the morning 

The Arminian section of the Church of Sepulchre

The entry of the Church of Sepulchre 

Right before Gary entered the small chapel of the tomb

The tomb entry

The Damascus Gate , where we could see how easy people could preach to the crowd.

Right at the Herods Gate- the old city wall

The mark where the cross was found

Jerusalem at night - view from our hotel

Entrance to the tomb

Yummy

The Church of Sepulchre 

Jesus’ tomb- where his body was placed 

Jerusalem at night