Those who go on pilgrimage tours to Jerusalem get the opportunity to experience the energy of the local holy places, spiritually renew themselves and feel the harmony of soul and body.
The pilgrimage to Jerusalem allows you to visit places related to the last days of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Important: Russian Orthodox pilgrims who decide to go on a pilgrimage to the land of Jerusalem should receive a blessing in the Russian spiritual mission.
Mount Eleon
Mount Olivet is famous for the numerous shrines located here (from the mountain you will be able to admire the panorama of the Old City):
- Spaso-Ascension Monastery (on its territory there is a place where the Mother of God stood during the Ascension; here pilgrims have the opportunity to see the relics of the saints and bow to the miraculous icons “Seeking of the Perished” and “The Olive-Hearted One”);
- Tomb of the Mother of God (she was buried in an underground kuvukliya, 2 by 2 m in size - inextinguishable lamps burn here and there are several miraculous icons of the Mother of God);
- Jewish cemetery (many prophets are buried here, in particular, Malachi and Zechariah).
The Garden of Gethsemane deserves a special mention (8 ancient olives grow here) - it is revered by pilgrims as the place of the last prayer of Christ on the night before his arrest. In addition, it was in this garden that Jesus gathered his disciples for talks.
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
At the place where it was built, Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected. Every year on Easter, the descent of the Holy Fire takes place in the temple. A visit to this architectural complex will take several hours - pilgrims will see the Tomb of Christ, the Stone of Confirmation, icons and mosaic frescoes, monasteries, thrones, chapels, and auxiliary premises.
It is worth noting that within the complex (it was divided among themselves by representatives of six confessions of Christianity, but the common shrine is the Rotunda with the Holy Sepulcher; certain hours are set aside for prayers) are the last 5 of 14 stops on the Way of the Cross.
Via Dolorosa
It was along this street of the Old City that Christ's path went to the place of the crucifixion (on Via Dolorosa there are 9 of the 14 stops of the “Way of Sorrow” - the Way of the Cross). It is better to go on the road that starts from the school of El Omaria with a guide or armed with a guidebook. Pilgrims will be able to see memorial plaques, temples and chapels. Among them it is worth highlighting the Church of the Savior (inside and outside the building you can admire the mosaics; if you wish, you can climb the bell tower, overcoming more than 170 steps) and the Church of the Flagellation.
Wall of Tears
Pilgrims come here to pray and put notes with various requests between the stones, thereby leaving a message for the Almighty. Access here is open not only to Jews, but also to representatives of other faiths and nations. The main thing is to be modestly dressed (clothes should hide the body; men will be offered to wear a kippa on their heads, and women - a scarf).
