Location Name
Church of All Nations, Jerusalem, Israel

Street Address
Foot of the Mt. of Olives

City
Jerusalem

Type of Prayer Place
Chapel

capture-nations-2Description
Also called the Basiclica of the Agony, this church is built over the rock where tradition says was the place where Jesus prayed in agony on the night he was betrayed and arrested. On the side of the church is a small garden area full of ancient olive trees that are said to be the Garden of Gethsemane. The centerpiece of the altar area is a huge exposed rather flat piece of light colored natural stone that is surrounded by a short wrought iron fence with places to kneel facing the rock surrounding this enclosure.

How I used this place of prayer
Although this church was very popular with tourists, it lent itself to moments of quiet prayer and mediation more than the other sites I had visited in Jerusalem. I knelt along the wooden altar rails and meditated on Christ’s prayers about “thy will be done.” I was a bit disappointed that the stone was enclosed in the altar area and wanted to touch it. I then noticed an area to the right of the altar where an outcropping of natural stone was incorporated into the church building and I went and sat on this stone to continue in prayer and meditation.

Hours of Operation & Admission Requirements
Monday-Saturday 8-12 and 2-5:30. Sunday various masses are held

Personal Tips
This is a decent walk from the gates of Old Jerusalem and walking there will give you a feel for Christ and his disciples as they might have journeyed here in the evenings for prayer. Walking will also give you a chance to take in the scenery of the Mt. of Olives and glimpse the small olive garden areas that are still present today.

Added by Karen Barber on October 12, 2011