In the lower church, a round icon of Jesus Pantocrator, a symbol of divine power, stands at the entrance. This image is at the heart of an extraordinary tale of divine intervention. When disputes over the land reached Israeli authorities, the upper church—claimed to have been constructed without permission—was slated for demolition. Bulldozers arrived to carry out the destruction, but then, a truly miraculous event unfolded. The Pantocrator icon, a beacon of divine power, appeared before the machines and began to spin, as if by divine will, barring their advance. The equipment failed, and the demolition was halted, a testament to the power of faith and the miraculous nature of the event.
The lower church was later restored, and construction of the upper church resumed, following a design by Joachim, whose model is displayed in the monastery courtyard. Inside the lower church, another miraculous icon draws pilgrims: the image of the Virgin Mary. This icon, according to Joachim, appeared on a charred wooden plank after the destruction of the upper church, a symbol of rebirth rising from the ashes. With his own hands, Joachim outlined and painted the image, transforming it into a cherished icon of rebirth and hope, a beacon of light in the face of destruction.
This sacred space has become a haven for the faithful, who come to pray for salvation, guidance in hardship, and the blessing of children. The church, a testament to the enduring resilience of the Christian spirit, stands as a beacon of spiritual strength. It is a place where the faithful find solace, where prayers are answered, and where the enduring power of faith is celebrated.
The Mount of Olives, also known as Olivet, is not just a geographical landmark but a place of profound spiritual significance in the history of Christianity. This iconic ridge, serving as a natural border between Jerusalem and the Judean Desert, has been a witness to pivotal events in the Christian tradition. It was here that Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, prayed at the foot of the mountain in the Garden of Gethsemane, and ascended into heaven from its summit.
Our pilgrimage unfolds as we set out from the Monastery of the Ascension, a historic site perched atop the Mount of Olives. This site, with its Chapel of John the Baptist marking the miraculous second discovery of John the Baptist's head, sets the tone for our journey. We then continue to the Monastery of the Second Coming, a place steeped in the stories of John and Anastasia of Olivet, adding depth to our pilgrimage experience.
Next on our route is the Chapel of the Ascension, also known as the Dome of the Ascension or Imprint Chapel. Here, a stone bears what is believed to be Christ's footprint, left as He ascended into heaven. Nearby, we’ll pause to admire one of the most breathtaking panoramas of Jerusalem before descending towards the Garden of Gethsemane. While this path can be walked, we’ll traverse it by car as planned.
The Garden of Gethsemane awaits, home to ancient olive trees and the Church of All Nations, also known as the Church of the Agony. This solemn and sacred space commemorates Christ’s prayer and suffering on the night of His betrayal. We’ll then ascend to the Church of Mary Magdalene, a striking symbol of Russian Jerusalem with its golden onion domes glinting in the sun.
Our final stop is the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, where the revered Jerusalem Icon of the Mother of God is housed. This marks the conclusion of our pilgrimage, which began from Point 12, the entrance to the Monastery of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives, and weaved through the sacred landmarks of this historic and spiritual landscape.
