Jerusalem In the Footsteps of Jesus

About this tour

The journey begins on the Mount of Olives. Here we take a visit to the Church of the Ascension. This church is known to be where Jesus ascended to Heaven. You will see a rock with a foot imprinted on it. This footprint is believed to a foot of Jesus where he was standing before his ascension (Luke 24:50-51). The church was originally built in 390AD, but the church standing today is mainly of the Crusader period of 1150 AD.

Not too far away from this church is the Church of the Pater Nostre (Sanctuary of the Eleona), built on the location where Jesus recited the Lord’s prayer. Upon the walls we can see plaques with the Lord’s prayer written in more than a hundred languages. Also, what must be seen are grottoes (caves) where Jesus would have provided is teachings, and also where Jesus told his disciples of the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and of the second coming.
As we proceed on our travels from the Mount of Olives glancing towards the City of Gold across the ancient Jewish cemetery we can see the Old city and Temple Mount.

Moving on we finally arrive at the Church of all Nation and the Garden of Gethsemane, the spot where Jesus prayed before he was arrested. (Mark 14:32-46).The church of all Nations has been funded by many nations. Each of these nations have their Coat of Arms displayed with decorative glass on the ceiling. At the entrance there are tall columns supporting a mosaic of Jesus Christ as the connection between God and man.

Crossing the Kidron valley we arrive at the Lion’s Gate of Jerusalem’s Old City. Here we can take a look at the pools of Bethesda as stated in the Gospel of John. Next we arrive at the Crusader Church of Saint Anne which was built above a grotto believed to be where Jesus’ mother was born.

Leaving the Crusader Church of Saint Anne we take a visit to the Convent of the Sisters of Zion entering the cellars we can see a water cistern dating back to the Second Temple era. We can view the Lithostratos engraved with Roman flagstones, discovered thanks to extensive archaeological discoveries that were found beneath the convent. Pontius Pilate is believed to have given judgement here in the Courtyard of Praetorium.

We continue our journey along the Via Dolorossa using the route that Jesus had taken carrying his cross towards Golgotha, the place he was crucified and where his burial tomb lies. We can also view the stations of the cross as Jesus took his last walk before his crucifixion. Christ’s burial tomb is within the church and this large Basilica has many alters plus five of the stations of the cross within it.