Gethsemane at closing time

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A few more pictures from my recent short trip back to Jerusalem, these for Skywatch Friday.
Such a blue late afternoon sky above the Mount of Olives!
The golden tiles of the mosaic reflected the setting sun with blinding light. 

I never noticed there is a little mosaic on the side of the facade too.
Enlarge the photo to see it better.
I came at closing time (for a special event) and the usual throngs of tourist groups were gone, allowing one to see and hear much more. 
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Inside, the mosaics of the ceiling of the Church of All Nations were recently painstakingly cleaned and repaired and now they sparkle.
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UPDATE, Thursday evening:
I should have added this nice video about the restorers.  You will be happy you watched it.
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(Linking to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors.)
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A tireless and devoted Italian architect

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Antonio Barluzzi (1884-1960) was an Italian architect, a fervent Christian, and a tireless traveler.
He certainly left his mark in the Holy Land.
Between 1912 and 1955 he built or restored 24 churches, hospitals, and schools in Israel and Jordan.

The Christian Information Center in Jerusalem is currently showing an exhibition about his life and works.
The posters, like the one above that you can enlarge and read, are in English and Italian.
Look at the Arab stonemasons at work on the stones to build the Basilica of the Agony on the Mount of Olives.
Look at the arches in the ceiling of the church!

Here is how the arches looked from above while being constructed in the early 1920s!
Please enlarge the picture and feast your eyes!

The church is over Crusader and even earlier foundations.
Right next to it is the Garden of Gethsemane.

The altar is built next to the Rock of the Apostles (where some of them fell asleep instead of watching with Jesus).

What is the Great Seal of the United States of America doing on the ceiling?
Well, the church is also called The Church of All Nations and the symbols of each country that contributed money are incorporated into the inlaid gold ceilings of each of 12 cupolas.

The Franciscans' worship there on Maundy Thursday, April 21, will be broadcast live to the world.

With thanks to Antonio Barluzzi for our That's My World tour today.
Find my other posts about his works here.

UPDATE Oct. 3, 2013:  See how Italian tinsmiths are doing restoration work on the roof of the church.

(Linking to inSPIREd Sunday.)
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Touches of America in Jerusalem

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Happy 4th of July to all Americans!


In honor of Independence Day, I give you the Great Seal of the United States!
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Here it is in mosaic on the ceiling of the Church of All Nations on the Mount of Olives.
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The Basilica of the Agony was built in 1919-24 with funding from 12 different countries, which gave it its nickname, "the Church of All Nations."
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Inside, the symbols of each country that contributed are incorporated into the inlaid gold ceilings of each of 12 cupolas.

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My previous 4th of July posts are about Jerusalem's Statue of Liberty and our Liberty Bell.

Happy day to all!

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"Remain here and watch with me"

What intense days these must be for the Christians--the Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, leading into Easter.
 Tomorrow the drama of the Church will be acted out in the Holy City, in one way or another. 
Washing of the feet of the faithful performed by the superior of the monastery or the priest of the church. Eucharist as part of a seder-like meal. The stripping of the altar. And Tenebrae, ending in silence and near-darkness.
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