Churches and more

This day is devoted to "The Paschal Journey." At 8 a.m. we boarded the bus to head for the Mount of Olives - which is now a huge burial area for deceased Jews who wish to be the first to rise when the Messiah comes. There are also remnants of Byzantine crypts and ossuaries - bone containers that were in use during the 2nd Temple period (Jesus' lifetime)...hence a recent controversy over someone claiming to have a box with his name on it - no way to prove it/ not likely. There is a chapel called "Dominus Flevit" which means "the Lord wept" when he looked over the city. That seems like a reasonable reaction, considering the division of East Jerusalem (part of Jordan until 1967) from West. A former mosque, it is simple and dedicated to peace. A clergy couple from our group led a reflection on tears.
We walked down to the garden of Gethsemane - which used to stretch along this whole section but now is limited to a yard surrounding the Church of All Nations - ancient olive trees in the garden, herbs and roses in all their glory. The church is impressive with lavendar stained-glass windows and many tourists.
Then we headed for Mt. Zion, which is a disputed area - and one chapel devoted to the setting of the Lord's Supper is under Jewish jurisdiction! The German-sponsored Church of Domition - that is, the place where Mary sleeps, has two floors of incredible chapels given by many nationalities. Mary is venerated here - and it did not seem overdone. A nnice gift shop too - and I spent about $20 - then left my package accidently someplace....
Nearby is the church: St. Peter in Gallicantu - quite possibly located above prisoner holding cells, adjacent to Roman steps that would have connected the Upper Room with the Garden of Gethsemane. It all becomes tangible, connected, even an excavation suggesting the site of High Priest Caiphas' House - as all this is in the shadow of the Old City walls. The art of story telling with mosaics is not lost - as Peter's denial of Jesus is depicted...with other scenes in the sanctuary.
So much....to ponder. AFter lunch, I decided to shop near the college and replace what I had lost and then some. Around the corner is an Arab grocery with spices and chocolate eclairs! Also an Armenian ceramics factory and store. So this day covered both ends of the spectrum and then some. Time to rest.