Nothing is more fun than taking someone through the Old City of Jerusalem for the first time. Today I had the privilege of taking my brother in law for his first experience with the many facets of this historic city.
He was staying in Yemin Moshe which was the first neighborhood outside the walls of Jerusalem and is historic in its own right.
We walked to Jaffa gate through to the Christian Quarter where you get the sense that Christmas is nigh. There were throngs of Christmas Shoppersfrom all over the world crowding the alleys of the Christian Quarter. Olive Wood Nativity sets were sitting pride of place in the shop windows.
After we changed some money and my girls were treated to some free gifts from our friends in the various shops we made our way to the Crusader Church of the Holy Seplichur. If you have never been the Church it is a real atmospheric experience with pilgrims from all nations, the scent of Frankenstein and Myrrh curling through the air and the Priests watching and leading the faithful in their pilgrimage,
For millions of Orthodox Christians this is a holy site and every square inch is spoken for by the various sects.
The best part for me was watching my brother in law transition from a disconnected tourist to suddenly connecting to the historic magnitude of this city. Once it starts to sink in every step afterwards can be spiritual or at least awe inspiring.
He was staying in Yemin Moshe which was the first neighborhood outside the walls of Jerusalem and is historic in its own right.
We walked to Jaffa gate through to the Christian Quarter where you get the sense that Christmas is nigh. There were throngs of Christmas Shoppersfrom all over the world crowding the alleys of the Christian Quarter. Olive Wood Nativity sets were sitting pride of place in the shop windows.
After we changed some money and my girls were treated to some free gifts from our friends in the various shops we made our way to the Crusader Church of the Holy Seplichur. If you have never been the Church it is a real atmospheric experience with pilgrims from all nations, the scent of Frankenstein and Myrrh curling through the air and the Priests watching and leading the faithful in their pilgrimage,
For millions of Orthodox Christians this is a holy site and every square inch is spoken for by the various sects.
The best part for me was watching my brother in law transition from a disconnected tourist to suddenly connecting to the historic magnitude of this city. Once it starts to sink in every step afterwards can be spiritual or at least awe inspiring.
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