Tuesday, November 17, 2026
THE WAY OF THE CROSS: WALKING WITH JESUS IN JERUSALEM
โข After breakfast, meet your tour educator in the lobby, and together, depart the hotel for a day of exploration in Jerusalem.
โข Begin the day atop the Mount of Olives, taking in a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem.
โข Follow the path of Jesusโ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, recalling the crowds who shouted โHosanna!โ as He rode down the Mount of Olives. Stop at Dominus Flevit, โThe Lord wept,โ where Jesus mourned over Jerusalem, offering a place for prayer and reflection on His deep love for the city and its people.
โข Gaze upon the Temple Mount and imagine its grandeur in the days of Jesus, the heart of Jewish worship and the backdrop of many Gospel events. Continue walking down to the Garden of Gethsemane, where, among ancient olive trees, you will have quiet moments to reflect on Jesusโ agony and prayer, knowing He was about to be betrayed.
โข Enter the Old City of Jerusalem through St. Stephenโs Gate, also known as the Lionโs Gate. Tradition recalls this as the place where the first Christian martyr, Stephen, was stoned. Passing through this historic gateway, step into the ancient streets where Jesus walked during His final days.
โข Visit St. Anneโs Church, famed for its remarkable 11-second echo that enhances the beauty of song and prayer. Just beside it lies the authentic Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the man who had been lame for 38 years, a powerful reminder of His compassion and authority to restore.
โข Walk the Via Dolorosa, tracing the Stations of the Cross through the Old City. Pause at the Sisters of Sion Convent, opposite the Praetorium where Pilate judged Jesus, and continue the path of His suffering. Conclude at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, venerated as the site of His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
โข Walk through the colorful oriental shuk (marketplace) of the Old City, alive with vibrant sights, sounds, and aromas. As you weave through its bustling alleys, take in the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and history that have shaped Jerusalem for centuries.
โข Walk to Mount Zion to visit the traditional Tomb of King David, honoring Israelโs great psalmist and king. Nearby, enter the Upper Room, remembered as the place of the Last Supper and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecostโa powerful space of covenant, communion, and commissioning.
โข Conclude at St. Peter in Gallicantu, the traditional site of Caiaphasโ house, where Jesus was held after His arrest. Here, Peter denied his Lord three times before the rooster crowed. The site invites reflection on human weakness, forgiveness, and the steadfast grace of Christ.
โข Return to the hotel.
โข Dinner at the hotel.
Dinner and Overnight: Jerusalem