Today’s Enlightening Entertainment will be presented in Arabic, with subtitles in Aulacese (Vietnamese), Chinese, English, French, German, Korean, Malay, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Thai.

As we travel to the eastern side of the Kidron Valley, we come upon a hill that stands facing the holy city of Jerusalem. Named for the cool grey-green olive trees that adorn it, this hillside has come to be known as the Mount of Olives. In the Holy Bible, the disciple Matthew recalled an important event that took place here. It was one evening before his great sacrifice that the enlightened Master Jesus brought his disciples here.

The Holy Bible reads: “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.” – Matthew 26:36 of The Holy Bible Jesus Christ of Nazareth had lived a life, according to God’s will: in dedication to helping the people be enlightened and rise above their own sufferings.

On that night Matthew and other close disciples wrote of, Lord Jesus reminded his disciples to pray that they would be protected from temptation. He then went apart from his students and sat upon a bedrock on the Mount of Olives. Under a starry sky, only the gentle Master himself alone must have felt the collective suffering of the people as his own.

Located just at the foot of this hill, near the place where Jesus prayed, is the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Greek version of the Gospels, Gethsemane means “the oil press,” referring to the olive oil. These trees may very well be the descendents of those who witnessed the Lord Jesus in prayer.

In the Bibles, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John, who were some of Jesus’ close disciples, referred to this area as an “estate,” “garden,” or “orchard.” For many years after the time of Jesus, the Garden of Gethsemane was a key pilgrimage site for early Christians. Today, this site at the foot of the hills is visited by countless people, from all over the world.

The Garden of Gethsemane is also looked upon for other spiritual significance. According to the Eastern Orthodox teachings, it is at this site that the blessed Saint Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, departed from this world. In the Garden of Gethsemane, a signboard bears these words from Jesus’ prayer, according to his follower Matthew:

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” - Matthew 26:39 According to the Gospel of Luke, when Jesus uttered these words, an angel from Heaven appeared to console him. The sorrowful Master then meditated with even greater intensity.

On the signboard in the Garden of Gethsemane, there is another prayer, this time lovingly given to Jesus’ memory. “Jesus, in the deepest night and agony You spoke these words of trust and surrender to God our Father in Gethsemane. In love and gratitude, I want to say in times of fear and distress, O Father, I do not understand You, but I trust You.” - MB

The big rock that Jesus Christ had sat upon that night is now housed by a church. Located just by the garden stands the Church of All Nations. It was built to honor the region’s divinity, and especially as a tribute to Jesus Christ in his hour of suffering for the sake of humankind. Hence, the Church of All Nations is also known as the Basilica of Agony. It glorifies the selfless love of Jesus and his willingness undergo all means necessary to uplift the world.

Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi designed the Church of All Nations to convey the scene of the final night of Jesus Christ as he prayed on the Mount of Olives. Starting with the entrance, to the ceiling and colors of the paint, the ambience inside the church is subdued, gently mournful. It is as though asking the visitor to remember the Master, his real human sympathy, and selfless compassion that knew no bounds.

When we return, we will enter the Church of All Nations and explore. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television.

Where there is charity and love Where there is charity God is there

Welcome back to The World Around Us. Before entering the Church of All Nations, visitors take special notice of the mosaic façade. This impressive and brightly colored image shows Jesus Christ as the connection between God and humanity.

The Church of All Nations, among the many holy sites in Jerusalem, stands apart by its unique themes. The edifice we see today was actually built in the early 20th century, on the site of earlier churches dating back up to a millennia and a half ago. There was first an old Roman church, then a Byzantine church, and a church from the medieval times.

The most recent renovation serves as an example of how Christians from diverse national backgrounds are united in faith. In fact, the development of the new church was a result of collaboration and contributions among 12 different countries. These included Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Italy, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Germany, and the United States.

In addition, the crown around the bedrock was a gift from Australia. Poland, Hungary and Ireland donated the beautiful mosaics that color the apses. To honor these contributing countries, each country’s emblem is incorporated into the glass inside a small ceiling dome.

As the Dome of the Rock was built over the rock near which the Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, made his ascension to Heaven, the Church of All Nations is also built over a rock.

This bedrock is believed to be the place where Jesus spent a night of fervent prayer, where he surrendered to the will of God, even though it would mean the sacrifice of his own life. The design of the church reflects the sorrow felt that night. The entrance of the Church of All Nations is an iron door in the gnarled image of an olive tree trunk. The eight pillars supporting the ceiling represent the eight olive trees in the holy Garden of Gethsemane of Jerusalem.

Like the door, the ceiling’s twelve domes are lowered, to reflect the feeling of the heaviness that night. The ceiling is painted rich blue to resemble a night sky. It is wondrously decorated with twinkling stars and olive branches. A reverent setting is created. The glass used throughout the church is colored a subdued violet, adding to the solemn atmosphere.

The winged angels around the inside of the domes look upon the church’s visitors below.

Larger angels can be seen on the sides, with their arms raised. They seem to be making a gesture of concern, a wish to comfort upon seeing the Lord Jesus alone. The three mosaics in the apses are what fill our view, upon entering the church.

In the middle mosaic, Jesus Christ is praying alone. High above, a winged angel looks upon him and consoles him, while alighted on the night clouds.

According to the Gospel of Luke, after his prayer, Master Jesus found that his disciples had fallen asleep. They were exhausted from their sorrow. They had just shared a supper with their Master, who had told them that this meal would be his last. Jesus woke them up and told them to pray lest they fall into temptation.

At that moment, he was confronted by a group of Roman soldiers, priests and elders. Jesus, ever composed, knew they had come to take him away. One of his disciples, Judas, who is without a halo of light, was with the group.

When Jesus’ other disciples saw what was going to happen, they were afraid, and one of them blindly struck the high priest’s servant, injuring his ear. Jesus immediately cried, “No more of this!” and gently placed his hand and healed the servant. He then looked to the priests who had come for him, saying that now it was their hour – the hour of darkness.

In the mosaic, in contrast to the dark night, Jesus Christ emanates a bright aura of light. As he opens his arms, the trees behind him seem to bend away, along with the people, opening the celestial sky above him.

Today, a steady stream of visitors from all nations enter this sanctuary and remember God and the Beloved Son who had come to Earth. A Franciscan order takes care of the church. On Thursdays, the day before Good Friday, an Anglican community holds services in the church garden. The Holy Land is filled with memories of the wonderful presence of the compassionate and great enlightened Master Jesus.

According to many Christians’ belief, Jesus Christ is to return to Earth. Just across from the Garden of Gethsemane is the Golden Gate on the city wall. It is one of eight gates of the old city of Jerusalem. The Golden Gate is the only one that is kept closed. The gate’s name comes from the fact that the sun reflects on it in the morning in such a way that the gate shines like gold.

It is also known by Muslims as the Forgiveness Gate and by Jews as the Gate of Mercy. Christians, Muslims and Jews believe that when the time came for the Last Judgment of humankind, Christ would enter through this gate. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus had said, “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Thus, the Golden Gate, an eastern gate, was seen as the place he would appear. The earth would level itself, so that the returned Master would walk to the top of the Mount of Olives and on to the Kidron Valley. The virtuous would rise to go with him to Heaven.

Where there is charity and love Where there is charity God is there Where there is charity and love Where there is charity God is there Where there is charity and love Where there is charity God is there

Blessed viewers, thank you for joining us on today’s The World Around Us. Coming up next is Words of Wisdom, after Noteworthy News, so please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television. May the merciful Providence protect you and your loved ones, always.