Saturday, March 14, 2009
Basilica of Gethsemane
On the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives stands eight ancient olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane. You can tell the ages of most trees by counting the rings in their trunks. Not so with olive trees since they grow hollow with age. Nonetheless, “gethsemane” means “olive oil press” or “to press olives into oil,” and gives this site its name. This olive tree garden is maintained by the Franciscan brothers.
Tradition holds that these olive trees were the silent witnesses of Jesus’ prayer and suffering the evening before his crucifixion when he was arrested and taken away for indictment.“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.”
-- Matthew 26: 36
Immediately beside the garden is the Basilica of Gethsemane -- also known as the Church of All Nations, named so because it was built jointly by several countries. It was actually built between 1919 and 1924 over the remains of two earlier churches, one from Byzantine times (built in A.D. 380 and destroyed in A.D. 614) and the other from Crusader times (built in the 12th century and destroyed around 1200). Pieces of the original Byzantine mosaic floor are visible under glass panels in the floor. The mosaic on the façade depicts Jesus offering up both his and the world’s sufferings. The four statues below are of the four apostles: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
I loved the vibrant colors of the paintings inside, as well as the stunning stained glass windows -- such rich blue hues!
“And he prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”-- Luke 22: 42-44
The blue and gold ceiling and cupola were gorgeous. On the ground in front of the cupola is the Rock of Agony, where Jesus prayed and sweated blood the night before his betrayal and arrest. The rock is surrounded by a wrought iron crown of thorns. The painting above the altar depicts an angel comforting Jesus.
Here you can see the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives.
In this longer shot, you can also see the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene above and to the right of the Church of All Nations -- with the gold onion-top domes.
