Tuesday April 5 Garden of Gethsemane/ Orson Hyde Park/ Church over the Dungeon/ Bethlehem/ Church of the Nativity

Walking into the Garden of Gethsemane, this is the private area that you can enter as groups for prayer and discussion, a public area was across the road to Bethany.

View of the Dome of the Rock, built over the Temple Mount, Mohammed was to have ridden into heaven from this spot. Much further back in history Abraham was to sacrifice Issac on this spot, and later both Solomon and Herod built temples

Dr. Lund gave us a great background of the history, we walked up the road to Bethany to get to the Garden, we sang, had a prayer, and learned more about forgiving one another.

Another view of the Dome of the Rock and East Wall of Old Jerusalem

Orsen Hyde Memorial Garden just north of the Garden, a little further up the Mount of Olives, were Orson Hyde rededicated Israel in 1841 as the home of the Jews

2000 year old olive tree in the Public Garden at Gethsemane

This is the pit Jesus was lowered into the night before he was crucified, part of a prison with a church now built over the top

This 2000 year old road that after he was taken out of the pit, Jesus walked to Antionio Fortress to be judged by Pilot.

These are antique silver pieces similar to those give to Judas. For sale, $1800-$3500

Antique oil lamps 2000 years old, for sale. $1000 and up.

Alabaster model of Jerusalem

Hand carved Navitity for olive wood

Bethlehem church built over the supposed site of the cave (not wooden stable) where Jesus was born. The Church has been rebuilt several times and is now divided up and shared by the Armenian/Greek Orthodox/Catholic churches.

Tiny little entrance used to access steps down into basment where site is marked by silver star on the ceiling

Looking back at Jerusalem, 4 miles away from Bethlehem, you must cross a "border" between Israeli and Palestinian territory.

Jewish cemetary