Jerusalem: The Garden Tomb

One of the hands-down most interesting experiences I had in the Holy Land was a visit to the Garden Tomb.  If I'd visited Israel during a busier time (ie: when there wasn't a war raging) I think I would have experienced much more religious mania and than I did. As it was, The Garden Tomb comes to mind as a singular experience in religious zeal!

The Garden Tomb complex is a series of gardens and little amphitheaters, places to sit and ponder and, of course, the actual Garden Tomb (or what is commonly accepted as Christ's Tomb). Walking around the complex can most easily be described as a smorgasbord of Christian religion. Groups and Congregations from all over the world, practicing very diverse forms of Christianity and praise could be found at the various gathering places, singing, praying, dancing and chanting. I literally walked down the path, wandering around the complex, and was bombarded by the varying versions of faith. It was astonishing how different each congregation's manifestation of their faith were from each other.

If ever you want to see a number of Christian sects up close, personal and nearly side-by-side, look no further than the Garden Tomb.

 One of many little plaquards and signs placed all around the gardens that make up The Garden Tomb complex.

This is the alternate site where Jesus was thought to be crucified. Historically, this spot makes more sense to me as Golgotha means "place of the skull" and just above this rock face would have been a cross-roads of a very busy roman street, which was commonly where crucifixions were carried out. (The first place thought to be where Christ was crucified is located in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher)

"He is not here, for He is risen..."