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Summit of Mount of Olives.
Tallest belfry of Russian Orthodox Sisters,
to right, Church of PATER NOSTER |
Dear Jo,
It is a wonderful experience of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord being celebrated at the Mount of Olives in the Imbomon (aidicule) Chapel or the Mosque.
As in the pilgrimage in May 2004, I recall neither or Cross or Crescent showing,as the Muslims recognise Jesus' Ascension but not His Crucifixion.
Maybe there are more of the pictures from the countless Pilgrim/Tourist Websites.
You obviously had exciting negotiating access to Mount of Olives.
ICN, Independent Cathilc News had the worrying report, "
Holy Land: Church leaders denounce violence against Christians at Easter service
Church leaders in the Holy Land have issued a statement protesting after Israeli armed forces were deployed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City last Saturday as Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter. Israeli police set up check points and deployed heavily in the Old City, said Dimitri Diliani, head of the National Christian Coalition in the Holy Land. Diliani said Israeli security forces were also present in the church and on its roof... He said Israel was trying to stop Christians from performing rituals that they have carried out for centuries |
The surprising good coverage of is from the Malta Franciscan Website
difficulties of the Franciscans being allowed in and out of the Old City, and had to find a solution.
Feast of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives
May 13th, 2010 @ 10:04 |
FROM
OUR CORRESPONDENT IN THE HOLY LAND
On
Thursday 13 May the Franciscans of the Holy Land Custody celebrated the
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord on the Mount of Olives. The celebrations
were conducted by Fr. Artemio Vítores ofm, Custodial Vicar, at the “Imbomon”,
or small dome-like structure in the form of an Aedicula, that marks the spot
from where Jesus ascended into heaven.
Happily you were next to the bus terminal in Nablus Road.
Your Email is so reassring and all goes well.
Yours... ... Donald.
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Jo McG...
...
Sent: Sunday, 12 May 2013
Subject: Ascension
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We celebrated THE ASCENSION last Thursday and I was delighted to hear that the Franciscans would be celebrating the Eucharist at 9.30am on the site where the Ascension took place.
When our group had visited the PATER NOSTER CHURCH high up on the   Mount of Olives, the Sister had told us that the actual site was a little way up the hill but we could not go there as the Moslems have possession and don't allow pilgrims to enter! So Christians today remember the Ascension at the Pater Noster Church. We were all a bit disappointed!
However, there is one day in the year when the Moslems allow the Christians to enter
and celebrate which, of course, is Ascension Thursday. What a blessing to be here for this special feast!
So, two of our student Srs. and myself left at 7.45 to catch the local bus up to the summit which today is quite a built-up area.
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Fortunately, I had read up about it so I didn't get a shock when we entered into a very plain circular courtyard with a simple wall around it. In the centre was a smallish, circular "chapel" with a solid, grey dome on top.
On closer inspection, I saw that the lower half was actually octagonal in shape and had eight beautiful marble columns and arches.
This is all that is left of the beautiful Church of the Ascension built by the Crusaders. They had left the roof open to the skies but the Moslems had built the dome over it.
About ten of us entered at one time
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| Imbomon, Ascension Mass |
and the first thing I saw was the Ascension Rock (part of the floor) with a small railing around it. Some kissed it, others touched it with one or both hands while praying and others touched it with holy objects or clothing.
There was no time to reflect inside as many were waiting to come in but we had a good hour, sitting in the courtyard,to reflect
on the momentous event which had taken place here when Jesus returned to His Father.
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| Wall around Chapel of the Ascension, Jerusalem |
The Franciscans had had Sung Vespers here at 4.30pm on the eve and were allowed to have an all-night vigil but none of the Srs. went for that! Twenty priests, mostly OFM's,
concelebrated the 9.30am Eucharist inside the "Chapel" while the congregation stood around outside. How they and the various servers managed to fit in is a mystery! It was a Latin Mass with the choir, again many OFM's, so I felt "at home".
It was another very memorable and prayerful experience! Deo Gratias!
I wonder what the Lord has in store for PENTECOST!
May it be a very special feast for all of you!
Love,
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