Of course traveling to Middle East cannot be compared to Holidays to Caribbean, but definitely the historical importance of such destinations is quite higher that normal beach holiday. Jerusalem is the holy land of all believers – Christians, Jews and Muslims. Jerusalem is the “heavenly city” in which one is closest to God and his soul finds peace and forgiveness. Jerusalem is a symbol of suffering and spiritual high.
They say that the visit to Jerusalem can not be compared to any other city in the world. Adoration of the Holy Sepulchre to be compared with “nirvana” and touch turns to religious shrines in the kind of uphill journey to the Creator. Every year on the brightest holidays – Christmas and Easter crowds crowded around the world are flocking to honor the memory of Jesus Christ. With glowing eyes and trembling hands, they softly breath in anticipation of the miracle that more than 2000 years happening on Holy Saturday – the descent of the Holy Fire from the sky. For them, “Hadji” is not just a title. This is a divine seal on their way of life. Jerusalem is considered the most sacred Jewish site – nearly 70% of the population are Jews. Beginning assigns King David, who in 1004 BC the city became the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. His successor Solomon built the most significant monuments of Jerusalem, now located in the old town – the magnificent First Temple (known as Solomon’s Temple, the place of its destruction after the Second Temple was built) walls with seven gates (after return Holy Cross in the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius city builds the eastern main gate, also called the Golden Gate for not treading on anybody now place your feet. believed that it will open only on the Day of the Second Coming to go through it again Savior ) and the palace.
Then Jerusalem and reaches its largest boom. uslims celebrate Jerusalem as the third most sacred place in religious thinking, linking it with its prophet Mohammed. For Christians – this is the place of execution “of Jesus Christ and his last home on earth. Jerusalem gathers under one “roof” four religions anyway (Armenians, Christians, Jews and Muslims) and demonstrate that “before God all are equal. Everyone decided to make a spiritual journey through this sacred land, feel inspired and elevated. And though still hear welcoming cheers with people who meet the Savior when entering the city during the main gate to the east: “Hosanna! Blessed is coming in the name of the Lord! ”
Jerusalem is situated on the southern slope of the plateau in Jewish Israel. It is about 60 km. east of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea about 35 km. west of the Dead Sea. To his assigned territory, both historically Hill – Hill and Hill Skopus olives and popular cities are near Bethlehem and Ramallah. The whole territory of Jerusalem is surrounded by valleys, rivers and hills, which are directly linked to history and culture of cities.
Jerusalem is one of the oldest towns in the world – dating from approximately the 4th millennium BC. Entry is within the many ancient and medieval states and was “bone of contention” is not only political but also religious opinions of countless people. In its centuries-long existence, Jerusalem was destroyed two times, besides 23 times, 52 times attacked, captivating and recruited 44 times. Passing successively into the hands of the Assyrians, Egyptians, Asians, Romans, Persians, Byzantines, Arabs and Crusaders, which do not stop to change his appearance. In the period 1920 – 1947 Jerusalem is the administrative center of Palestine, but the decision of the United Nations was established as an independent field. Two years later, as a result of the Arab-Israeli war, its territory was divided between Israel (West) and Jordan (Eastern). In 1950, western part of Jerusalem became the capital of the country, while in 1967 it is connected to and east. Since then, the city exists as an integral unit, without annexation.
Jerusalem is not only religious but also cultural center. Every guest of the holy land must to visit the National Museum, which kept Kumranskite manuscript (discovered in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which contain highly fragmented in all kind of Old Testament books), archaeological excavations and works of Israeli and European art; Memorial “Yad Vashem”, built and dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, which houses the richest library in the world on the subject (over 100 000 books and articles), one of the theaters and music festival in the city centers. Undoubtedly, the primary purpose of each visitor to Jerusalem Holy Sepulchre, located in Gethsemane. But to get there, you will need to walk the path in which Jesus Christ has gone before being crucified on the Cross. He started by former Roman fortress Antonia to the Lion Gate (north of Golden Gate), which was then outside the boundaries of Jewish Jerusalem. Savior there was whipped and sentenced to death. Symbol of his sentence is a temple whose dome is depicted crown of thorns – perpetuate pain. It starts narrow stone street with multiple steps, surrounded by shops and small chapels (designated place where Jesus Christ stopped on his way to Calvary). This is the path of suffering (Via Dolorosa), which ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Right from its entrance in a small spiral staircase to get to the top of the hill, where a glass lid shows split Calvary scale (according to legend, due to expire after a strong earthquake Christ. His blood absorbed in the subsurface and colored skull buried there in biblical times, Adam – so the first people received forgiveness and redemption). Another staircase takes you to the “anointing of the plate, where the Savior’s body was coated with odoriferous oils, wrapped in white cloth and there – in the cut passed by his close associate Joseph Arimateyski (He prepared for yourself) rock tomb. Indeed, the Holy Sepulchre is a huge circular temple complex (infinity symbol of the Universe), bringing Calvary, the tomb and temples of various Christian denominations – Orthodox, Catholics, Armenians, Copts. Was created in the IV century by Queen Helena, which organizes expeditions to the opening of the Cross and the grave.
In the central zone is the Holy Sepulchre, and rising above the dome is seen by Christians as a center of the world. In the porch is called. Church of the angel, which is held every night liturgy. There shall be kept of the stone from which an angel announced the glad tidings that the Savior has risen. A little deeper, into slabs of white marble is hidden stone bed on which three days lying body of Christ. Holy Sepulchre is only one of the treasures of the Garden of Gethsemane – so called because at that time was dotted with olive trees and cypresses, with small gaps karst, in which Jesus Christ and his disciples thought to spend the night after the Last Supper. There are more Russian monastery of St. Mary Magdalene, the Catholic Cathedral Church of All Nations “(near the place where Judas betrayed the Savior) and the tomb of Virgin Mary.
To explore all religious sites of Jerusalem will not have much time – do not forget that here reach out three religions. The city has more than 1200 synagogues, more than 160 churches and 70 mosques. You can not miss, however, the most sacred place for Jews – Temple Mount (also called noble sanctuary). There, in ancient times were built Solomon’s Temple and Second Temple of which, there were only walls. One of them is the “Wailing Wall”, to which day and night, believing Jews “rinsed” pain in prayers that reach directly to their God. Over do it is one of the holiest places for Muslims – Dome of the Rock mosque, which alleged that Mohammed ascended to his horse. The temple is not only impressive size, but also atypical, while combined fantastic architecture, sustained throughout its octagonal area. Worship for Muslims it is tantamount to the other two holy places – Mecca and Medina. Jerusalem is a city of people and the house of religion. A trip there will make you look at new ways of religion and religious tolerance to others. Your heart will open to the spiritual wealth that will tap into every corner of this sacred land and you will feel full of energy for life. Climb Jerusalem and stretch out to the highest – in faith will accomplish anything.
Tags: forgiveness, heavenly city, Jerusalem, saint land