Friday afternoon, Kim & I traversed down to the Old City to walk the Via Dolorosa. Many Christian pilgrims revere this walk as a holy walk- the same steps that Jesus walked from Pontius Pilate's to Calvary. Along the route, there are 14 stations marking various actions as recorded in the Gospel. For example, station 3 marks where Jesus fell and station 5 marks where Simon the Cyrene was appointed to help carry the cross. Various historians disagree to the actual accuracy of this route. In fact, the route itself has changed several times. At any rate, it is a significant walk nonetheless, even if it is only symbolic (type and shadow) of the real thing. On another note, the Via Dolorosa (Walk of Tears) is actually located in the heart of the Muslim Quarter of the Old City. So as you visit each station, you will invariably be asked by one Arab shopkeeper or another to purchase his goods. He will tell you that "We are friends," and "There is no charge for looking" and "This is it. This is real wood from the cross" and so forth. If you are a blonde American woman, of which Kim & I both are, you may actually get hit on in the process. In fact, these shopkeepers may beckon you to come visit there shop by wooing you with such self-esteem building phrases as "I like your eyes. They are very beautiful" to "My name is Vin Diesel" and "You from the States? You very beautiful." One such shopkeeper emphatically declared to Kim, "My friend, you dropped something." Once Kim turned around to check, he continued, "See, it is my heart." Wow...
While we hardly know what to do with such words of poetry, we found it more intriguing not to get smashed along the walls by other Christian pilgrims- more thoroughly dedicated to the stations than we. In the video, you'll see Kim describing a group of pilgrims wearing green hats and carrying a cross. Without any hindrance to themselves, these pilgrims faithfully stopped at each marked spot and recited various Latin prayers, songs, and chants. This is all very normal of course.
The last four stations are located within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This church is kind of like Mecca for Christians, especially for Greek Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Ethiopian Orthodox and Coptic Christians (Orthodox sects stem from the Byzantine Empire, during the beginning of which, the church was built). Located in the church are several "holy" spots, including the place where Jesus was crucified, where His body was prepared for burial, and where He was buried. We have taken pictures and labeled them accordingly. In the video, it may seem that we are irreverent. We do not intend to be. However, neither of us believe that these are the exact spots where the Gospel events of salvation took place. If you believe more along 
the lines of the pilgrims, then perhaps it is best if you don't watch the video. ;)Top: the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre (Tomb of Christ)
Bottom: Golgotha (place of crucifixion)
More about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre
**It is wikipedia, so read it with a grain of salt.
About the Ladder:
A few years ago, one of my favorite history professors, Dr. Dan Hoffman, told us about this ladder during our Roman and Early Church history class. Apparently, this ladder has been left outside in nearly the exact same spot because no one agrees to move it; moreover, the various denominations/sects that are custodians of the church can't remember who left it out there. This may seem silly, I'll admit. However, these men are so adament about their various custodial divisions in the church that they will literally fight & brawl (sometimes leading to hospital visits) if they feel that another
denomination/sect is invading their zone in the church. I dreamed of one day being able to see the ladder in real life, and I did! I took these photos during yesterday's visit.
**It is wikipedia, so read it with a grain of salt.
About the Ladder:
A few years ago, one of my favorite history professors, Dr. Dan Hoffman, told us about this ladder during our Roman and Early Church history class. Apparently, this ladder has been left outside in nearly the exact same spot because no one agrees to move it; moreover, the various denominations/sects that are custodians of the church can't remember who left it out there. This may seem silly, I'll admit. However, these men are so adament about their various custodial divisions in the church that they will literally fight & brawl (sometimes leading to hospital visits) if they feel that another
denomination/sect is invading their zone in the church. I dreamed of one day being able to see the ladder in real life, and I did! I took these photos during yesterday's visit. Kim & I will be visiting the Garden tomb and Golgotha (marked by rocks in the shape of a skull) shortly, which is where we believe the crucifixion/burial/resurrection most likely took place.
1 comment:
What an amzing story about the ladder...my gosh, so symbolic of human kingdoms.
Give a big hello to John Waage from Mike and me. As you may know, the three of us formed part of the very first ever class at Regent Univ. He's great!
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