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This week is Holy week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with the upcoming Easter Sunday. This was probably the most exciting Palm Sunday celebration I've ever had! After a morning service where we sang and read the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we headed back to JUC for lunch, and then to the Mt. of Olives to walk in the Palm Sunday procession which begins in Bethphage and continues over the mount, down into the Kidron valley, and up to the Old City. There were lots of people there, several thousand, and the procession itself took two hours. There were groups from all over the world playing music and singing, and lots of palm branches waving, so it was entertaining and fun to be a part of. At the beginning of the march, which began in an Arab town, many people were out on their roofs watching the event, or selling palm branches in the streets. There were lots of Israeli Defense Force members along the way also, and one of them, standing on top of a building nearby, was singing "Hosanna in the Highest"  along with the music.
Approaching Lion's Gate
When we at last reached the Church of St. Anne where the procession stopped, there was live music playing and lots of people dancing in lines and circles on the lawn. Eventually a short service started, I'm not sure who it was that spoke, but it was a good but simple message about Peace, and How Jesus brought Peace through his life on Earth.
I enjoyed this celebration not only because of  remembering of Jesus entering the city, but also because it is the largest collective Christian event that takes place in Israel. Christians of many denominations all celebrate the beginning of Holy Week together, and commemorate the role this land had in Christianity's beginning.


Observers near the beginning of the procession


going up the East side of Mt. of Olives

Speaker at St. Anne's Church


It was SUCH a clear day! You could distinctly see the dead sea and Jordan. Herodium, a fortress palace built by Herod looked so close! It is the flat cone shaped Mt on the right

This was just a kitty we saw when heading back to campus, in the distance is the Mt of Olives range again.

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