The Mountain that Bears the Lord’s Footprint

The land where the Lord Jesus Christ lived and ministered—known as the Holy Land or Palestine—holds numerous sacred sites for Christians. One such site is the Mount of Olives, from which the Saviour ascended to His Heavenly Father’s Kingdom.

The Mount of Olives is among the highest hills encircling Jerusalem. Situated to the east of the city, it is separated from it by the Kidron Valley. The mountain rises to 1200 metres above sea level and acts as a natural barrier, shielding Jerusalem from the arid Judean Desert.

The mountain features three peaks: the southern peak is known as the Mount of Offence, the northern as Little Galilee, and the central (and highest) peak is the Mount of Ascension. It was from this central summit that Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. Climbing slightly above the site of the Ascension reveals a breathtaking panorama. To the west lies the entirety of Jerusalem, with its myriad hills and countless buildings. To the southwest, one can see the Valley of Rephaim, the Monastery of Saint Elijah, the Bethlehem Hills, Mount Zion, and other historical landmarks. To the east lie the plains of Jericho, the River Jordan, and the Moabite Mountains.

The focal point of the Mount of Ascension is where Christ ascended to heaven. Today, this is a large courtyard featuring an octagonal building known as the Chapel of Ascension. To the right of its entrance, one can see a rock bearing an imprint believed to be from the Lord’s left foot. The courtyard and chapel are under Muslim jurisdiction; however, they permit Christian worship on portable altars during the Feast of Ascension.

East of the Chapel of Ascension lies a piece of land acquired by the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in the 19th century. This site hosts a two-storey house, the Church of Ascension, and a tall bell tower (60 metres), famously known as the Russian Candle. It stands as Jerusalem’s tallest structure.

In 1906, a women’s Ascension Monastery was established here. Additionally, behind the Church of Ascension, a chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist was constructed on the spot where his holy head was found for the first and second times.

The northern peak of the Mount of Olives—Little Galilee—is also steeped in sacred history. For instance, it once housed an inn where travellers from Galilee to Jerusalem would stay. The apostles often gathered here since many hailed from Galilee.

Near the summit of Ascension is a site where, according to Church Tradition, an angel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would be taken up into heaven in three days’ time.

On the Mount of Olives is also where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer—”Our Father.” Today, this site hosts a large women’s Catholic monastery. Notably, on its inner marble walls, the Lord’s Prayer is inscribed in 42 languages.

Adjacent to this monastery is a site called “Credo” by Catholics. According to Church Tradition, it is here that the apostles gathered after Christ’s Ascension to compose the Apostles’ Creed.

Two hundred metres south of the “Our Father” and “Creed” lie the Tombs of the Prophets. This vast cave, carved into the rock, houses 36 tombs. It is believed that these are the resting places of Old Testament prophets who were killed by their fellow believers. These divine messengers often faced violence because they condemned the chosen people for turning away from God and engaging in idolatry.

Translated by The Catalogue of Good Deeds
Source: https://foma.ru/gora-sohranivshaya-sled-gospoda.html