Shalom! Church of St Anne & Pool of Bethesda

Shalom! Continuing our journey in Israel, if you missed my earlier posts, check out Shalom! Israel.

After our visit at The Garden Tomb, we made our way to Church of St Anne, our last stop for the day.  This church was erected during the first half of the twelfth century and is among the longest preserved sacred places in the city.  It is known to be the place where once stood the house of Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary and also the birthplace of the Virgin Mary.

The Pool of Bethesda is next to the Church of St Anne which according to the Gospel of John, animals to be used in the city’s sacrifices were washed in the pool and at this place, Jesus performed the healing of a cripple. (John 5:1-9)

“And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness.  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he has already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”  The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”  Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your pallet, and walk.”  And immediately the man became well, and took up his pallet and began to walk.”  John 5:5-9

Exterior of Church of St Anne with the ruins of the Pool of Bethesda

Ancient remains of the Pool of Bethesda

For more on my Israel trip, check out Shalom! Israel

 

Thank you for dropping by.  

Audrey

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