The City from the Mount of Olives. Haram esh-Sharif (Temple Mount) - the Noble Sanctuary, the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque. An area sacred to Jews, Moslems and Christians. Across the Kidron valley from the Temple Mount rising a hundred metres above the city is the Mount of Olives.
Over the brow of the hill is Bethany. When he visited Jerusalem Jesus stayed with Mary, Martha and Lazarus at Bethany. Lk.10.38; Mk. 11:11. How many times he must have climbed the Mount of Olives and turned to look at the city spread out before him.
Gethsemane. According to tradition the Church of the Nations is built on the garden of Gethsemane.
On one occasion, as Jesus was leaving the Temple a disciple remarked on the size of the Temple. Jesus predicted: “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another.” Mk 13.2. Later seated on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple the disciples asked him when this would be? Jesus spoke about the coming disaster that would befall the city and its people Mk 13:5-37.
Place of Agony
Tradition asserts that it was on the Mount of Olives Jesus taught his disciples the Our Father. This is commemorated by the Church of the Pater Noster. Lk 10:38-11:4 and Mk 11.12-25.
Luke records Jesus tears over Jerusalem, commemorated in the chapel Dominus Flevit. Lk 19:41-42
Lk 19:41- 48. At the foot of the Mount of Olives is Gethsemane. After the celebration of the Passover, Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane accompanied by the disciples. Mk. 14:17-21. The Mount of Olives is the place of Jesus Ascension. Lk 24:50-51
Olive Trees, Gethsemane.
Gethsemane
Pater Noster Church. There are plaques with the text of the Our Father in over sixty languages.
The Our Father in Gaelic.
Dominus Flevit. “As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘if you, even you, had only recognised on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’” Lk. 19:41-42
Dominus Flevit
Dome of the Ascension
Mount of Olives: Church of Mary Magdalene.
Aerial view of the Temple Mount
