True Pole of the Earth

You wouldn't want to lose your head over the walls surrounding the Old City of Jerusalem, but apparently its designers did. Built quite recently by Sultan Suleiman in 1537-1540, the account has him executing the architects for not including Mount Zion inside the perimeter.

Mount Moriah, site of the temple, and Mount Zion were inside the walls of first century Jerusalem refortified by King Herod. Golgotha was just outside the walls on the northwest side. Suleiman's wall which stands today, incorporates Mount Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, but leaves the Upper Room and King David's tomb outside on top of Mount Zion.

We hiked up there last week to celebrate Sunday Mass in the Franciscan church of the
Cenacle, immediately adjacent to the site of the Upper Room.



The Crusaders built a chapel to honor the site of the Upper Room; immediately adjacent is the Benedictine church revered as the site of Mary's dormition. The ancient church of Hagia Maria Sion stood on this site, while the current church was built at the beginning of the 20th century.



Down in the crypt you find a grotto with a statue of Mary in her final rest. On the ceiling, not visible in this photo, you have six prominent women of the Old Testament: Eve, Miriam, Jael, Esther, Judith, and Ruth.