Gethsemane

This blog is a continuation of the recent entry on the Tour of Israel in late May to early June 2014 (Read here). 

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On 1 June 2014, we were taken to an olive grove at the foot of Mount of Olives. Adjoining the grove is the Church of All Nations, a Roman Catholic Church. By the Catholic tradition, this was where Jesus prayed on the night just before his arrest, trial and eventual crucifixion. As in similar cases of other pilgrimage sites, there are other nearby sites claimed by other denominations to be where Jesus prayed. The fact is that most scholars are unsure of the exact location of Gethsemane and therefore the spot where Jesus prayed.

At the church courtyard, many congregated around an old olive tree. Previous analysis has concluded that three among these old olive trees are around 1,000 years old. No one can be certain that one of these old trees is the one which Jesus sought shelter and prayed. The old tree has since been partially fenced up to prevent overzealous pilgrims from pinching bit and pieces of the trunk, branches and leaves for souvenir.

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The Church of All Nations was built in the early 1920's over ruins of a Byzantine basilica and Crusader chapel. The Church was built with donations from many countries. Hence, this multi-nation effort gives the Church its present name, "All Nations Church".

Similar to the Church of Primacy of St. Peter in Tabgha, there is a piece of bedrock outcrop in front of the apse. By tradition, this is believed to be where Jesus prayed as recorded in Mark 14: 32-35.

"They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray". He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled..........Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed....."

In remembrance of the agonizing prayer of Jesus at Gethsemane, this Church is also called the Church of the Agony.