The Valley of Jehoshaphat, also known as the Kidron Valley, is one of Jerusalem's most ancient and revered sites. According to biblical tradition, it is here, by the waters of the Kidron stream, that the Last Judgment will take place, where all the living and the dead will be judged. This belief has made the valley, along with the slopes of the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem's oldest and still active cemetery, deeply rooted in history.
Tradition holds that the Virgin Mary was buried here in a family tomb 15 years after the events of Jesus’ life in Jerusalem. Her parents, Saints Anne and Joachim, and Joseph the Betrothed are also said to rest here, making this site not only sacred but central to Christian veneration of the Holy Mother and her family. The valley stands as a powerful testament to faith, connecting biblical prophecy with the enduring tradition of devotion and underscoring the spiritual significance of this site.
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.
