"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." (Psalm 137:5-6). Just today, March 23rd 2011 I heard the news about a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. Hoping this too shall pass, like so many often painful and tragic things that happened in that unique place of our globe. I have recently visited Jerusalem for the first time in my life, and yes, I do believe there is something very special and transcendental about the famous city. The very first thing that we saw when entering Jerusalem, or rather when "climbing up" to the Holy city, was the bridge called "King David’s Harp". This bridge is placed on the western entrance to the city. Its shape resembles a huge harp, and this explains its name. According to the Holy Scriptures, King David had among many talents, the one of playing the harp: "David took a harp, and played with his hand." (1 Samuel 16:23).
Another interesting and noticeable thing when visiting Jerusalem for the first time is the fact that absolutely all the buildings in the city are made of the very same type of stone, which is in fact even called "Jerusalem stone". It is a general name that refers to various types of pale limestone that can be found in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas, and which has been used in building ever since ancient times. Anyway, this special kind of rock certainly does give more charm to the buildings and the streets in Jerusalem.
As it is very well known, people of different religions and denominations have a thing for Jerusalem, as many significant religious events took place here. For Christians, it is the place where Jesus Christ was crucified, then buried. And because of that, there is a Christian church called the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is also called The Church of Resurrection. Although it is the headquarters for the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, the holy place is shared by three Christian denominations: Greek Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and Oriental Orthodoxy. Paradoxically, this place which holds so much significance for all Christians in the entire world is situated in an area which is mostly inhabited by Muslims. For fear of unexpected attacks, many say that it is a dangerous place to visit unless in an organized, safe group.
Another major point of interest in Jerusalem is The Old City. Here you can find Russian Orthodox Churches, synagogues and mosques. I have reached the famous Western Wailing Wall on a Friday evening, so when it was already Sabbath and some of the Jewish believers were praying, some singing and dancing there, in their dark long coats, with their black hats, it was quite an impressive, touching image. I was just so curious what each one of them was praying for at that special place. Hope some of them were praying for peace in this country, and that those prayers were listened.
The tradition states that anyone, regardless of his/her faith, can come to this Wall and hide a note in it, with a special request to God, and they say such prayers go straight to heaven. Anyway, it was so touching to see so many people there, even small children, whispering their troubles towards the sky.
The Israel Museum was another memorable place I’ve seen in Jerusalem. Although I haven’t managed to see it all, it was more than enough to want to come back and complete my visitation. Being a huge fan of the Impressionist painting movement, I just had to see it, and was pleasantly surprised to find a Van Gogh (my favorite painter). Of course, there were more paintings belonging to famous painters such as Pissarro, Monet, Renoir, Gauguin, and also sculptures belonging to the immortal Degas and Rodin.
The village of En Kerem, which is considered in fact to be part of Jerusalem, is filled with an atmosphere of peace, relaxation and natural beauty (flowers everywhere, since springtime was there, trees in fool bloom, cats absolutely everywhere). No wonder it became an artists’ village at a certain point.
Well, I think you can’t be exhaustive when it comes to such a city. And definitely, you need to visit it more than once to discover its numerous beauties and mysteries.
Another interesting and noticeable thing when visiting Jerusalem for the first time is the fact that absolutely all the buildings in the city are made of the very same type of stone, which is in fact even called "Jerusalem stone". It is a general name that refers to various types of pale limestone that can be found in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas, and which has been used in building ever since ancient times. Anyway, this special kind of rock certainly does give more charm to the buildings and the streets in Jerusalem.
As it is very well known, people of different religions and denominations have a thing for Jerusalem, as many significant religious events took place here. For Christians, it is the place where Jesus Christ was crucified, then buried. And because of that, there is a Christian church called the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is also called The Church of Resurrection. Although it is the headquarters for the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, the holy place is shared by three Christian denominations: Greek Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and Oriental Orthodoxy. Paradoxically, this place which holds so much significance for all Christians in the entire world is situated in an area which is mostly inhabited by Muslims. For fear of unexpected attacks, many say that it is a dangerous place to visit unless in an organized, safe group.
Another major point of interest in Jerusalem is The Old City. Here you can find Russian Orthodox Churches, synagogues and mosques. I have reached the famous Western Wailing Wall on a Friday evening, so when it was already Sabbath and some of the Jewish believers were praying, some singing and dancing there, in their dark long coats, with their black hats, it was quite an impressive, touching image. I was just so curious what each one of them was praying for at that special place. Hope some of them were praying for peace in this country, and that those prayers were listened.
The tradition states that anyone, regardless of his/her faith, can come to this Wall and hide a note in it, with a special request to God, and they say such prayers go straight to heaven. Anyway, it was so touching to see so many people there, even small children, whispering their troubles towards the sky.
The Israel Museum was another memorable place I’ve seen in Jerusalem. Although I haven’t managed to see it all, it was more than enough to want to come back and complete my visitation. Being a huge fan of the Impressionist painting movement, I just had to see it, and was pleasantly surprised to find a Van Gogh (my favorite painter). Of course, there were more paintings belonging to famous painters such as Pissarro, Monet, Renoir, Gauguin, and also sculptures belonging to the immortal Degas and Rodin.
The village of En Kerem, which is considered in fact to be part of Jerusalem, is filled with an atmosphere of peace, relaxation and natural beauty (flowers everywhere, since springtime was there, trees in fool bloom, cats absolutely everywhere). No wonder it became an artists’ village at a certain point.
Well, I think you can’t be exhaustive when it comes to such a city. And definitely, you need to visit it more than once to discover its numerous beauties and mysteries.
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