The Garden of Gethsemane

One of many ancient olive trees in Gethsemane

St. John writes in chapter 18:1 that Jesus, went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Judas, his betrayer, had already gone to inform the  pharisees and scribes who would bring a band of soldiers to arrest Jesus.  This is the most poignant and sorrowful moment in Jesus' life before his crucifixion.  The Gospel of St. Matthew records, Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I go over there and pray.'  And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death, remain here, and watch with me.' Mt.26: 36-38  Going further, the gospel records,  Jesus fell on his face and prayed, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.' Mt.26:39.  Jesus returned to find his disciples sleeping through his agony.  But the Father would not leave the Son alone, for as Luke records, And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. Luke says, And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. Luke 22:43-45.

The word, "Gethsemane" means oil press, and it was  obvious from the moment we entered the garden; for we saw the area covered with very ancient olive trees.  Our guide informed us that many are believed to be old enough to have witnessed Jesus' agony and heard his plaintiff prayer.  There is a legend that says that when Jesus was crucified, the trees of all the world shed their leaves, except for the Olives.  When the other trees asked why they did not shed their leaves, the olives replied, "you shed your leaves in sadness, but in the spring you will grow new ones.  We were pierced to the heart, and there is in us now, a sorrow that will never heal."  And so the legend says, the olive tree dies from the inside outward.

The Garden of Gethsemane was full of tourists, but it was so silent there among the olives that you could have heard a pin drop.  After we strolled around and each of us prayed our silent heartfelt prayers, we went inside the Church of the Agony where Father said Mass.  The original building is reputed to have been built in the 4th century.  It was enlarged 800 years later by the Crusaders and it was renamed St. Saviors.  The present Church of the Agony was completed in 1924 and is considered one of Jerusalem's most beautiful.  It is also known as The Church of All Nations.

A rose grows in the garden among the olive trees.

The Stone of Agony