Judaism did not start in Jerusalem. It most likely started with the pronouncements of Abraham in the north as the tribes meandered from the Tigris and Euphrates to the valleys, hills and shore lines of Judah and Jordan.
Christianity did not start in Jerusalem. Some might say it started in Bethlehem with the recognition by the shepherds that Jesus' birth there was something remarkable and prophetic, or it might be said to start in Capernaum where Jesus first began to preach and to heal.
Islam did not start in Jerusalem. It started with the prophesies of Mohammed in Mecca and Medina.
Yet, here in Jerusalem is the focal point for all these religions.
Jews regard the old city of Jerusalem as important because here was built the temple that held the ark of the covenant. Here was where King David reigned over the united Kingdom of Israel.
Christians regard the old city of Jerusalem as important because here is where the seminal events of Christianity took place, Jesus' crucifixion and his resurrection.
Muslims regard the old city of Jerusalem as important because following their conquest of this land in the sixth century CE, they established a muslim presence and placed their third most sacred shrine on the top of the temple mount.
So pilgrams from all parts of the world come here to worship, or just to see and experience it, or maybe just to see if it tracks with their reading of the Bible...or Koran.
Visually, the most recognized landmark in the old city of Jerusalem is the Dome of the Rock which sits on the Temple Mount.
Although it is closed to both the public and worshippers, it still is a shrine to which many muslims come, pray or read the Koran.
There is a newer chapel at St. Annes which has a remarkable quality. It has a pronounced echo, so that if the congregation sings, the chapel is filled with resonance which can be quite beautiful. Our tour guide leads us in a chorus of Hallelulah...we sing a line...then wait....for the echo to return. It was stunning when another tour group, which must have been a choir from a Spanish speaking country came and sang a hymn. Then a Japanese group sang in beautiful harmony a Japanese hymn.
The Jewish community is well represented with synagogues and temples but, frankly, they feel that they have not been allowed full and equal access to their theological center. Their center would be a magnificent temple on the Temple Mount. Of course that would require the absorbtion or destruction of the Dome of the Rock and that is unlikely to happen, thus Jews are relegated to finding their center through prayer alone.
Here a few Jews are allowed to come up on the Temple Mount but only with police escort (in the dark uniform on the left with backpack and AK 47.)
Jesus was accused and tried before Pontius Pilot near the St. Anne's church. He then moved along the main street of the city carrying his cross. That street is now called Via Delarosa and along the street are the stations of the cross at each of the significant way points in his journey from persecution ot crucifixion. The Via Delarosa eventually ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where pilgrams may touch the stones where (according to the stories) Jesus' body was wrapped and eventually entombed.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is another example of different religious congregations learning to live together. In one edifice are the Greek Orthodox, Latin Catholic, Armenian and some other faith groups. There is evidence that they are still learning some lessons in cooperation.
As with all archeology, peeling back each layer of debris or stone reveals structures from an earlier period. Here, along the Via Delarosa, a newer brick paving is peeled back to reveal large block stones that comprised the road surface of the time that Jesus would have carried his cross to Calvary.
And so ends probably the most interesting day of the tour...the day I saw that peoples of all faiths can meet in a common place and each bring their own prayer for peace and each take away their own blessing of love.
