Church of the Holy Sepulcher Re-visited

My roommate Ann and I spent our Shabbat afternoon in Jerusalem together and were able to roam around the city.   It was really nice going as the two of us.  Previous trips there has always been a large group which sometimes attracts more attention and more confusion.  Ann and I were able to maneuver through the merchant's streets and stop at stores along the way when we wished. I had been wanting to go back to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and so we found our way there along with 10 other tour bus groups!  It was a packed day.  I could not believe how big the church really was!  There were altars here and niches there, and many shrine like spots everywhere.

The first time we went in we were told that there were stairs leading up to part of the mountain where Jesus was actually crucified.  Once we reached the top it was overwhelming.  Sadly it was not overwhelming because of what our savior had done, but because of what mankind had done to this traditional holy site.  There was gold everywhere, lit candles, incense and lamps. It was honestly sickening to my heart to see how enshrined the place was.  My soul, as well as Ann's were both upset by what we saw so we made our way to some other spots but the unsettledness just grew.  There were prayers from the years thrown into displays protecting the real mountain, as well as papers here and there in the walls from all over the world.

We happened to be there right at the time for the priestly...I am not sure what to call it...I guess it was a parade of sorts, or a blessing.  They blocked off the entrance to the tomb itself and were preparing a path for the Greek Orthodox Priests to make their way down town so the High Priest could go and offer a prayer in the tomb.  The ceremony only took a little bit of time and we could not really see anything but could hear some of the prayer as well as feel the stillness in the church from the many pilgrims.  I am not sure what I expected the Holy sites to be like, but I guess I was not thinking I would find it so disturbing.  I would rather places be preserved in their natural state so that people can worship God without distraction or clutter around.  Personally I love being able to walk around the hill country and look at the trees and the sky and the people that God made-it reminds me more of Him as opposed to gold, murals, and statues.