As a teenager, I took off from school from time to time, and went on a bus to Jerusalem. There, I sat on a corner stone in the Old City, watching the passersby for hours. The kaleidoscope of different religious outfits, tourists from all around the world, the blend of colors and scents, church bells ringing and answered by the call of the Muslim muezzin. For a young Israeli girl who grew up in a farming village, there was nothing more exciting than that. Once a tour guide, I entered a new and fascinating world of holiness in the Holy Land. In Jerusalem, a religious center for the three monotheistic religions, you really feel the special energies faith is giving to any ordinary human being. There is even a psychological diagnose called “Jerusalem Syndrome”, depicting people who were overwhelmed, could not handle the emotional impact of this city, and lost their sanity. I am still in owe, after so many years, when I see the devout pilgrims who visit the holy sites. The whole meaning of religion is taking a new form when you stroll the allies of Jerusalem. All different streams and nationalities, Catholic and Protestants, Greek Orthodox, Coptic, Armenians and Ethiopian mingle in the Church of Holy Sepulcher. Muslims rush down to ‘Haram El Shrif’ (The sacred place) on Temple Mt. with a small carpet rolled under their arms, while on the other side of the western retaining wall of this complex, on Friday evening and High Holidays, Jewish people pray.
There are many colorful and interesting people who walk the streets of Jerusalem. Each of them is worth a post in this blog. The 3000 years of history are not just in the stones. Somehow the stories reveal themselves through the humans as well. One of those people is
Carl James Joseph
born 1960 in Detriot
11 years in Jerusalem
started wearing a robe and walk barefoot 30 years ago.
moto in life - AGAPE (Greek) - the fatherly love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God. Pictures credit goes to Simon Beni.
One of the most amazing ceremonies which I was evident to is Holy Saturday called also Holy Fire.
Orthox tradition holds that the Holy Fire happes annually on the day preceding Orthodox Pascha (Orthodox Easter). During this time, blue light is said to emit within Jesus Christ's tomb, rising from the marble slab covering the stone bed believed to be that upon which Jesus' body is to have been placed for burial. The marble slab is now in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The light is believed to form a column of fire, from which candles are lit. This fire is then used to light the candles of the clergy and pilgrims in attendance. The fire is also said to spontaneously light other lamps and candles around the church. Pilgrims and clergy say that the Holy Fire does not burn them.
While the Patriarch is inside the chapel kneeling in front of the stone, there is darkness but far from silence outside. One hears a rather loud mumbling, and the atmosphere is very tense. When the Patriarch comes out with the two candles lit and shining brightly in the darkness, a roar of jubilation resounds in the Church.
The best way that I could find to share this special holiness with you is by videos s and photos taken by me but mostly by a friend of mine, a gifted photographer who also guides photography tours in Jerusalem. His name is Simon Beni and I thank him for letting me use his photos in this Blog.
I highly recommend to go to Simon's wesite and bring the atmosphere of Jerusalem to your heart.
I could go on and on with pictures and stories about Jerusalem and its people. It is ubsoloutley the city I mostly connect with and feel part of. I made many friends over the years I lived in this city and walked tourists in her streets.. I specially felt close to nuns who devote their lives to work the Lord in the Holy City. Therefore I chose to end this post with a remarkable story about a nun who died recently in Jerusalem.
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