Comments on: Jerusalem: Good Friday Edition

By: Gina Alessia

Gina Alessia — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:57:22 +0000

Egipt is one of the best places to visit in a lifetime.

By: Final_Transit

Final_Transit — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 04:08:46 +0000

Good reading your post, brought back some nice memories. I stayed in Tiberias and biked around the sea of Galilee.

By: Gary

Gary — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 07:40:24 +0000

Well, I’ve been here a week and have to get going eventually. I think I’m going to stay here a few more days and do a day trip to the Galliee from here. It is probably faster and cheaper to do that than to try and find a place to stay there.

By: suztours

suztours — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 07:17:54 +0000

Why is “Arab Christian” an oxymoron? Christianity as an institution was created in 325CE and thus existed in this region about 300 years before the advent of Islam (in about 622CE! The Nabateans (who brought frankincense & myrrh as well as other spices from the east via camel caravans from Musqat north through the Arabian peninsula to Petra which they built and across the Negev to the ancient port of Aza) converted to Christianity and were never Muslim.

Gary – don’t leave Jerusalem – the Holy Week you witnessed was Roman Catholic/Protestant Holy Week… Starting tomorrow (Sunday), Easter Sunday for the Catholic & Protestant churches is also Palm Sunday for the Eastern Orthodox Church culminating in Orthodox Easter next week. Their traditions & services are VERY interesting! And, of course, Passover continues.

One more note – the via Dolorosa is mostly in what today (and only since about 1936) is called the Muslim Quarter (not today’s Christian Quarter). Much of that area was outside the walls of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. Plus – there are several ideas about the route (if any) Jesus would have walked… see http://tinyurl.com/c2vnxl for archaeologist Shimon Gibson’s theory, which I believe is a lot more likely!

For those Christians thinking of visiting Jerusalem, if you want to participate in a walk of the via Dolorosa, the Franciscans lead one every Friday beginning at 3PM, starting at Station #1 – easy to find, ask anyone!

Hag Same’ach (have a joyful holiday, whichever one you celebrate)!

By: jen laceda

jen laceda — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:45:55 +0000

Yes, crowds can be annoying. Run for your life! Tel Aviv is a great place to run to.

By: Doris Parker

Doris Parker — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:56:40 +0000

Since we were in Israel for 3 weeks including Palm Sunday through Easter in 2008, I was interested in seeing photos of Good Friday in Jerusalem today. I came across your blog. I realize Israel is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I just have to encourage you to reconsider the absolutely amazing opportunity of standing on sacred land during such a sacred time. If you haven’t already done so, stop by the Christian Information Centre at the Jaffa Gate and get a list of the procession and service times and experience, experience, and experience! Being there during Easter (AND Passover) is an even more extraordinary experience. Take a moment–maybe go to the Mount of Olives and sit and reflect while looking across the Kidron Valley toward to the Eastern (Golden) Gate. These are thrilling days. Life is short!

Also, check out the YMCA 3 Arches across the street from the King David Hotel–historical, great location, reasonable accommodations, and really nice staff. My daughter is currently in Ghana and we will arrive in Israel on April 22 for only 8-9 days, sadly missing the Holy Week events. I must say that we wouldn’t have missed it for the world last year , though, and will definitely look forward to going during the season in the future. This will be our 4th visit–just love the land! Getting around by rent car is totally easy and safe. The Galilee is also phenomenal, if you haven’t been there yet. Better to check it out than Tel Aviv, just another large city. There’s also a great historic little YMCA by Peniel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. I do hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity that millions only dream of! Be blessed.

By: nate

nate — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:50:24 +0000

“Arab Christian” is no less an oxymoron than “the astute and well informed Cheryl McCann”. Know your history. The Old or New Testament would be a good start…

By: Cheryl McCann

Cheryl McCann — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:57:14 +0000

Your Message

By: Cheryl McCann

Cheryl McCann — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:56:54 +0000

You answered my question to the term, “Arab Christian” which still seems like an oxymoron.

Thanks for the very interesting information on the Via Dolorosa. I have always wanted to travel to see Jerusalem and if I get the chance it would most definitely be at different time as you suggest here.

Great stuff.

By: Roee Yerushalmi

Roee Yerushalmi — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:43:27 +0000

Hi Gary. Love Your work!

You are in Israel… now…?
contact me… I would be happy to meet.

All the best, Roee.

Hope You would Nourish the children (NTC) with us
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