STUDENT IN ANCIENT TOWN (continued, p.2) It should be noted that the streets and byways of the Old City to get lost very easily. Old Town is more like a maze of souvenir shops. But still interesting to walk on it and try to imagine those who walked these same streets to you. During my first visit to the Old City several times I got lost. After studying the map I was sure that entered the city through the New Gate. A few hours walk, visiting the temple of the Holy Sepulchre, lost a few more times, I still managed to find their way to the gate through which I entered. Al hamdu Lilla! (Arabic for "Praise be to Allah!", Approx. Perevi.). Believe me, my fault it was not. The entrance to the temple of the Holy Sepulcher Holy Sepulcher - the place itself is very interesting, moreover, is one of the most important places for Christians in the Old City. Many believers think that the temple stands on the very spot where Christ was crucified. This tradition lives since Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine, who in the IV century, traveled to the Eastern Roman Empire in search of relics. (Helen was ardent supporter of Christian teaching.) Somehow she came to the conclusion that here is a place of Christ's crucifixion, and ordered him to build a temple here. Historians in the majority believed that the temple is not built on the spot where the crucifixion took place, although no one has sufficient data to establish the truth. The place where the temple does not fit any description of the place of widespread executions of Christ, nor in the general concept of the crucifixion as a whole. Penalty would almost certainly took place outside the city walls. In addition, this kind of punishment as crucifixion, were sentenced by no means all "criminals." Namely, the crucifix was destined to political dissidents, whose punishment was to be a warning to other potential troublemakers. (For example, during the suppression of a rebellion Roman general, sent to subdue him, ordered to crucify two thousand rebels along the road for all to see and intimidation. In addition, the two men crucified with Jesus, most likely were not thieves, as previously thought, because theft is not punishable by crucifixion). Thus, the place known as Golgotha ??- the place of execution - most likely located on a hill outside town, where everyone could see the consequences of rebellion. There is another theory that Calvary - a rock, which is near the Damascus Gate. Firstly, this place is noticeably rises over the surrounding area, and secondly, the very rock oddly reminiscent of the skull. However, this theory has also not been proved. Whatever it was, the temple of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for Christians in the Old City. Inside the temple of the Holy Sepulchre Once I got out of the old town, I went back to the hotel, on the way up in a local fast food restaurant for lunch, where I had fairly to reflect on how to order a hamburger from a guy who does not speak in English (and also in Arabic, French, German and Spanish), but I still do not know Hebrew. But in the end I did it. Al hamdu Lilla! I think I ought to brush up a little Hebrew, once I'm in Israel. I even got a little sorry that did not do it before coming here. Start material: Read more:
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