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<\/a><\/p>\nI also saw the Lion’s Fountain in Bloomfield Garden which symbolizes peaceful coexistence between the many diverse populations of Jerusalem. \u00a0Designed in 1989 the sculpture features the Tree of Life in the center with a dove on top, surrounded by lions.<\/p>\n
Further down the street was the Jerusalem International YMCA built in 1924. \u00a0It is an Art-Deco historic building designed by Arthur L. Harmon, who also designed the Empire State Building.<\/p>\n Rafi had told us about emergency scooters which are called as first responders to accidents or other emergencies when ambulances aren’t fast enough to get through heavy traffic. \u00a0I saw one outside the King David Hotel. \u00a0Great idea!<\/p>\n I turned right onto Yitzhak Kariv Street and I could see the walls of the Old City and King David’s Tower.<\/p>\n “Jaffa Gate” is more of an large opening in the wall big enough to allow cars and many people to enter the Old City, rather than a “gate.”<\/p>\n As I walked through Jaffa Gate I felt like I was in a medieval European city. \u00a0There’s a small hotel on the left of the gate. \u00a0Further on there are cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, and many people.<\/p>\n I remembered the location of the Armenian Quarter from our previous walk in the ancient city. \u00a0I stopped into one of the ceramic shops and asked for directions to St. James Church. \u00a0The soft-spoken woman was very helpful but I learned that the church is only open from 6:30-7:00AM and 3:30-4:00PM.<\/p>\n I went across the street to the seminary and spoke to the guard. \u00a0He accompanied me into the peaceful garden and showed me the beautiful stone “khachkars.” <\/em>\u00a0These are large Armenian memorial stones carved in the shape of a cross.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The seven\u00a0khachkars\u00a0<\/em>were memorials which represented different regions of Turkey where the Armenian Genocide occurred in 1915. \u00a0The second from the left was from\u00a0Sebastia\u00a0<\/i>where my grandparents were born.<\/p>\n The poster in the photo above shows a map of Turkey with red dots representing the number of Armenians massacred or deported from specific areas. \u00a0Sebastia\u00a0<\/i>is the largest red circle on the map.<\/p>\n I wanted to see the interior of St. James Armenian Church, so I had to wait a couple hours. \u00a0I decided to explore the Old City of Jerusalem. \u00a0I walked through the Jewish Quarter but it was mainly closed due to the holiday of Sukkoth. \u00a0I continued on to the Muslim Quarter. \u00a0Despite the labyrinth of narrow streets, the Old City is easy and fun to explore.<\/p>\n I walked all the way to the Christian Quarter and followed signs to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. \u00a0It was not as crowded as it had been on my previous visit, so I went in to take better photographs.<\/p>\n I was able to take a picture of the side of the marble shrine which holds the empty tomb and the front entrance. The line was a lot shorter than the previous day.<\/p>\n I walked back to St. James Armenian Church and waited just a few minutes for the priest to open the doors of the sanctuary. \u00a0It was built in the 12th century and named for James, the brother of Jesus. \u00a0I entered through the hand-carved portals with a few tourists and some local parishioners.<\/p>\n The interior was incredibly beautiful. \u00a0The sanctuary had no electricity and was illuminated by the many lanterns which hung from the ceiling. \u00a0Ancient paintings depicting early Christian scenes decorated the walls. \u00a0Beautiful Armenian carpets covered the marble floors.<\/p>\n At exactly 3:30 one of the priests read the bible from an elevated booth. \u00a0Afterwards, several Armenian Bishops, priests, and a dozen seminarians processed into the sanctuary and performed the service. The seminarians chanted and sang religious songs and prayers, their voices resonated throughout the church.<\/p>\n It was incredible to experience a service at St. James Church. \u00a0I happily went back out into the brilliant Jerusalem sunlight and walked back to the Dan Hotel.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n