Up to Jerusalem

We arrived to Jerusalem last night in the pouring rain.  I was in bed asleep by 8:30 pm.  The combination of rain, wind, and walking sucked the life out of me.  We did walk down the side of a cliff to St. George's Monastery yesterday...the only monastery that will allow women.  We owe our gratitude to a 6th century noble woman who was walking the countryside searching for a cure.  In the wilderness she is said to have been visited by the Virgin Mary who told her to go to St. George's for a cure.  She went and the monks were not please with her.  She told them her story and they allowed her entrance.  They put her in the sacristy overnight and in the morning she was healed.  Women have been allowed from that time on. 

We are staying in the Old City Jerusalem.  Today have been on a walking tour of this side of the city and walked the Via Dolorosa (The Way of Sorrows, The Way of the Cross), we walked each station of the cross, read scripture, had prayers and song.  The most wonderful thing that happened was when a man, perhaps in his 50's, my guess is from Russia perhaps, joined in with us in listening to the readings and sang with us, and then during our silent prayers he began praying out loud in his language.  It was marvelous. 

From there we visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre...the place where Christ was crucified and buried.  What was once a barren hillside outside the city gate is now a shrine...the Greek Orthodox has claimed the site of the crucifixion and it is adorned in candles and icons.  We were there at a time when purification was happening and a monk from each of the different faith's came through with chanting and incense. 

We are finally at a rest time here at The Gloria Hotel and then off to meet with Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, a theologian, Catholic, historian, who has studied and researched OT, NT for years and years (he is 80) and has written a guide to the Holy Lands which many of us have along with us.  It's about a 30 minute walk from The Old City and so I am praying for the rain to stay away. 

Tomorrow morning we are worshipping here in Jerusalem, then to the Western Wall (Wailing Wall).  Should be some time for rest tomorrow I would hope.  I am getting tired.

Shalom!
Angie