Church of All Nations - a temple built by many faiths

Going to the Holy Land, tourists primarily want to see the monasteries and temples of Jerusalem - a city considered the cradle of Christianity. And Orthodoxy is not the only confession widely represented in it. There are many temples and other Christian directions. Looking at their location on the map of Jerusalem, one can imagine the history of a rather large segment of the life of Christ.

Church of All Nations

In this unusual church of God, there is always darkness and silence. The sun's rays, which get inside only through dark blue stained-glass windows, are dissipated. And only a small glow, formed from candles and lamps, strengthens the contrast of darkness and light, symbolizing the last night that Christ spent on the earth in heavy reflections. This happened before the arrest of Jesus, before he "drank a cup of suffering."

Here is the stone on which he prayed on his last earthly night. Today, on this site stands the Church of All Nations, also known as the "Basilica of Agony". The very same stone is left under the arches of the temple, next to the altar, framed by a "thorny" wreath.

History

The Church of All Nations was built in the Garden of Gethsemane. The project belongs to the Italian architect Antonio Barluzio. The temple was erected in 1924 directly on the foundation of the chapel, which in the twelfth century was erected by the Crusaders. Since 1345 it is in an abandoned state. It is noteworthy that the medieval chapel itself was also built on the foundation of an even more ancient temple. It was a Byzantine basilica of the fourth century, destroyed by an earthquake in 746.

Erection of the temple

The building of the Church of All Nations began in 1920. During the construction of its underground part at a depth of two meters, just below the base of the chapel were found a column and fragments of a mosaic. After this work was stopped, and immediately began excavations. Archaeologists have made their adjustments to the original plan of the church. Finally, the construction was completed in 1924.

The temple, built by Franciscan monks, originally belonged to the Roman Catholic faith. The Church of All Nations in Jerusalem was built on funds sent from communities of different countries, not only European ones. Apparently, that's why they called her so. As already mentioned, the second name of the temple is the Basilica of Agony. It hints at those gloomy events to which the church is dedicated. About them, tourists are reminded of the sorrowful twilight reigning inside.

For the construction of the Church of All Nations, the funds of twelve states with different denominations were donated. Under its ceiling are the coats of arms of France and Britain, Italy and Germany, the USA and Spain, Belgium and Canada, Chile and Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. On the walls mosaics are laid out paintings that reflect the scenes of "Gethsemane prayer", "The Traditions of the Savior" and "Taking Christ in custody". And inside the modern church today you can see the remains of an ancient mosaic floor - a confirmation of the existence of the Byzantine church on this site.

Description

The basilica of Agony was built for five years. As a material, two types of stone were used: outside - Bethlehem pink, and in the interior - brought from the quarries of Lifts, located in the north-west of Jerusalem. Inside, the Church of All Nations is divided into three galleries by six columns. Thanks to a competent solution, visitors have the feeling of one huge open hall. Purple glass was used everywhere. This reception perfectly conveys a feeling of depression from the agony of Jesus, which adds a ceiling painted in dark blue, like a night sky color.

The facade of the church is supported by a number of Corinthian columns with a modern mosaic reflecting the thesis of the essence of Christ - the mediator between the Most High and man. The author is Giulio Bargellini. The amazing combination of a semicircular dome, thick columns and mosaic on the facade gives the church a classic look.

Interior decoration

On all four pillars of the facade are statues of evangelists. Above them is a large panel called "Christ the High Priest" Bargellini - an Italian master who designed the Church of All Nations in Jerusalem. The inscription under the mosaic is a quote from the Epistle to the Hebrews of the Apostle Paul.

In front of the altar is the main shrine of the Basilica of Agony. This is the stone on which, as the legend says, the Savior prayed last night before imprisonment. Directly behind the altar is a large crucifix.

The Jerusalem Church of All Nations belongs only to Catholics. That's why representatives of other denominations in Christianity use for services another - an open altar, located directly next to the temple.

It is located in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here, Christians from various faiths hold worship services, including Catholics, Orthodox, Armenian-Gregorians, Protestant Lutherans, Evangelicals, Anglicans and others.

The Church of All Nations has a unique location. It stands at the very foot of the Mount of Olives, on its eastern side.