A Biblical Pilgrimage of Physical and Spiritual Significance Where Heavan and Earth Converge

Jerusalem is the religious and historical epicentre of the world. A surreal and vibrant city that made me feel like time had stood still. We followed our guide through a maze of narrow cobblestone streets in the Christian Quarter of the old city and the feeling was profound and difficult to describe. We walked along a part of the “Via Dolorosa” (Latin for “Sorrowful Way” or “Way of Suffering”), considered by Christians to be the holiest road in the world, the path where Jesus was led to death. There was something sacred and spiritual walking the path that Jesus took, forced by the Roman soldiers, on the way to his crucifixion.

There are fourteen stations, or places of significance along the Via Dolorosa each commemorating fourteen incidents that took place along the path. Some of those places include where Jesus received the cross, where he meets Mary his mother, the three places he falls, his place of crucifixion and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where the body of Jesus in placed in the tomb.

We reached the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a fourth-century church considered the holiest site in Christianity in the world and has been the most important pilgrimage site for Christians since the fourth century. Home to two of the holiest sites in Christianity – the site where Jesus was crucified, known as Calvary, and the tomb where Jesus was buried and then resurrected. The Stone of Unction is a large slab of stone inside the church’s entrance and by local tradition, on this rock, Jesus’ body was laid and prepared for burial. We observed people leaning on the stone praying and one woman washing it with rose water.

As we moved quietly through the church the unexplainable feeling of being connected to something sacred, deep in my soul continued. As the tour concluded, I reflected on the day and knew this was one of those unique travel experiences that would stay with me for reasons I cannot explain or do justice trying to describe.

To read more about my trip to Jerusalem go to my story – Ancient Ruins, Cultural Delights & Natural Wonders.

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