The Russian Orthodox Church

 One of the most recognizable landmarks in Jerusalem is this Russian Orthodox Church, which stands just above the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mt. of Olives.  It took us weeks, but we were finally successful in getting in to see the Church of Mary Magdalene (Russian Orthodox). It is only open to the public 4 hours a week.  They have built a second church almost like this one out by Hadassa Hospital.  This view is looking up from the Kidron Valley

 We marveled that they were able to keep the domes so shiney.  The Dome of the Rock has the same composition on it's dome, but looks comparatively dull.  We have noticed that Muslims generally do not seem to take care of their things on the same order as other peoples.  It seems to denote a lack of reverence for their sacred things

 The interior had a very Scandinavian flavor with lots of tole painting

 The paintings are always one of my favorite parts of the cathedrals.  Here we see a beardless Christ standing in judgement before Pilate.  There were some others of the part Mary Magdalene played in the Saviors life, but unfortunately they turned out too dark to see

And here is an example of some of the intricate wood work inside the chapel.  By the way we were intrigued to see that in this cathedral the chapel was on the second floor

The Valley of Jehosephat - the Valley of Decision

 Here we are standing in the Kidron Valley, also variously called The Valley of Jehosephat, The Valley of Decision.  This is the Muslim side.  In the upper left of the photo, you can see the blocked up Golden Gates.  You should know that the gates are not in the same location as they were anciently.  Right under the wall you can see part of a huge Muslim burial ground...They hope to keep the Messiah from entering the temple mount, just behind the wall.  The Muslims believe that a cable will be strung up between the temple mount and the Mt. of Olives and people will be compelled to walk it.  If they make it, they are righteous, if they fall off, it is because they are wicked

 This is the Jewish side of the Valley Kidron.  On the lower left is Absolom's tomb.  They are in the process of putting in sidewalks, benches and will soon landscape the bare dirt.  It will be beautiful

 Literally hundreds of thousands are buried in the Kidron Valley.  There are some very famous tombs including, here Absoloms pillar, errected by King David after Absoloms death... a most tragic story.  Also buried here are Zechariah, Jehoshaphat, and the Apostle James

This is Zechariah's tomb.  Behind this is one of the largest, most tightly packed cemeteries in the world as Jews are buried on top of each other and packed in so tightly that there is barely room to walk.  It is an amazing sight.  

Spring's Gorgeous Pallate - some of the beautiful spring flowers we saw

The Elah Valley - a place of many battles

 We are standing on top of the north hill bordering the Elah Valley.  On the side opposite of us is where the Philistine fortifications are.  The most famous battle to occur in this valley was the battle between David and Goliath!  We had such fun imagining how it might have been.  Each morning for 40 days, Goliath and the Philistine army would assemble at the bottom of the hill where we stand, and challenge Israel to send someone to fight with Goliath.  Below where we are standing there is a small brook, no doubt where David picked up his 5 small stones

 Here we see the remnant of one of the 2 gates that lead into the garrison area.  In the background we can see Bethlehem on the far hills, about 15 miles away.  Can't you just see David traipsing over hill and dale with provisions for his brothers, only to discover that no one is fighting because they are afraid of Golliath?  I can just see David's indignation.  How could they challenge the God of Israel!  They were just challenging an army in his mind

Here we are standing between the double walls that enclose probably 15 acres of land on the hill top.  The walls are 3,000 years old!!  We were amazed at what a good state of preservation they are in.  Apparently they are not visited as often as many of the more popular sites

This is one of the garrison areas where Saul's men  would have slept, stored food, weapons, armor, etc.  This hilltop fortification is maybe 2 miles from Bethshemesh

Another gate.  The town of Bethshemesh had the same name as this fortification.  Bethshemesh means 2 gates. This fortification is only about 12 miles from the Old City, which at the time of the battle between David and Goliath did not yet exist

Gamaliel - The Apostle Paul's teacher

 On this same trip we went to this little convent commemorating Paul's teacher Gamaliel.  This is also the place where Stephen was buried after he was stoned outside of the walls of Jerusalem.  Also by tradition Nichodemus was buried here and probably Gamaliel himself.  The Catholics believe that they both converted to Christianity after Christ's death and resurrection

 A couple of nice murals of Stephen's judgement in front of the high priest in Jerusalem.  This one inside of one of the 3 churches on the site of where Gamaliel lived

 Sorry the sun was shining on this side but here is depicted the stoning of Stephen

  And here is the view looking towards Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea.  Israel has gotten at least 125% of normal rainfall this winter and it is gorgeous and green, as you can see 

 Welcome to Tel Bethshemesh.  You might not even remember this town, but it played a fairly important part in the ancient history of Israel.  About the time that the prophet Samuel became the prophet of Israel, the sons of Eli, Phineas and Hophni, took the ark of the covenant hoping it  would give them the advantage in a battle against the Philistines, instead the Israelites were routed and the ark of the covenant was taken by the Philistines.  After 7 very bad months of plagues and death the Philistines decided to return the ark. They crafted a new cart, attached 2 milk cows, who had never been trained to wear a yoke and placed gifts of gold with the ark and sent it on its way.  The oxen headed directly for Bethshemesh, which was a Levite city.  The Israelites gratefully received the ark, performed sacrifices and then the Lord slew 50,070 Israelites for disobediently looking into the ark of the covenant.  It was moved then to Kirath-Jearim

The place is also near the hometown of Sampson.  If you enlarge the photo you will see a white barn in the distance that is near the birthplace of Sampson or the ancient town of Zorah, as mentioned in Judges 13

 And also from the top of Tel Bethshemesh, looking west towards ancient Philistia town of Gaza, beyond the ponds is where Delilah was living when she seduced Sampson, cut his hair and delivered him into the hands of the Philistines

And we finish this session with a flock of sheep returned from a morning of grazing to the tent of their shepherd