Readers of my previous post asked WHY the mandatory use of Jerusalem stone to face houses and structures in our capital.
Well, there is something we call "the dialogue of the stones." If you are quiet and listen, you can almost hear the building stones, ancient and modern, speaking to one another. But for that, you have to come here and be here, really BE here.
I hope you will come!
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I found this more historical, but less poetic, explanation at the
website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"In December 1917, when General Allenby entered the Old City of Jerusalem on foot, through Jaffa Gate, British rule over Palestine began. The British, who governed first by military government, later (until Israel's independence in 1948) by Mandatory administration, set up their administrative center for the country in Jerusalem.
During these years, Jerusalem began its transformation from the provincial town of Ottoman times to a modern administrative, political, religious and cultural center. Building activity began almost immediately and Jerusalem expanded to the north, south and west.
The British determined municipal zones, commercial areas, density of construction, use of materials and height of buildings.
Perhaps their most influential contribution to the character of architecture in Jerusalem was a municipal ordinance - which remains in effect to this day - requiring all new buildings to be faced with stone, giving a certain romantic quality to the buildings."
>Meleke (Arabic, “kingly” or “royal”) is a type of white massif limestone underlying much of central Israel. A type of dolomitic limestone, meleke has been extensively quarried for centuries and has been used in many of the region's most celebrated structures, including the famous Western Wall. "Jerusalem stone," as it is sometimes known, is extracted from quarries in the Jerusalem and Bethlehem areas.
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Besides meleke, a number of other building stone types in the Jerusalem area may fall under the general rubric of "Jerusalem stone" 1. White, coarse crystalline limestone originally referred to as "Meleke", the stone of Kings. 2. Cream-colored micritic limestone known locally as "Mizzi Hilu" (sweet rock). 3. Red-colored limestone known as "Mizzi Ahmar" (red rock). 4. Gray crystalline dolomite known as “Mizzi Yehudi” (Jewish rock – modern times). 5. Flagstone of thin-layered limestone.
These rock types were quarried from the Judean limestone and dolomite in and around the Old City of Jerusalem.
This variety of stone gives Jerusalem its unique character. The setting sun reflected on the cream-colored limestone facade of both ancient and modern structures gives them a golden hue, giving rise to the term 'Jerusalem of Gold.'"
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P.S. If you want to know still more
click here to see pictures of the different stone colors and textures.
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Today the cave is part of the Franciscan monastery called Saint John in the Wilderness.
The service began up in the church and then continued on the steps to the grotto. This photo I took last year shows visiting Franciscan monks and priests singing the special liturgy. After the prayer, the birthday party for John began in the refectory and courtyard. It was a happy celebration! 
The plaque says the "Cavalla della Pace" was created and donated in celebration of the 3,000th anniversary of Jerusalem. 
When it has been in the 90s F (or 30s C) all week, you just feel like finding some shade and some cool Jerusalem stone and curling up for a catnap until the sun goes down.
Vicarious atonement--the redeeming of sinners by shedding blood on the cross. The Franciscan emblem shows the pierced hand of Jesus reaching out of the cloud, joining the bloody-from-stigmata hand of Francis of Assisi, and the Holy Spirit dove descending on both.
