Chapel of the Ascension, Jerusalem

Chapel of the Ascension, Jerusalem

Acts 1: 12 suggests that Jesus ascended to heaven from Mount Olivet (also known as the Mount of Olives), the mountain on which the town of Bethany is located.  (Luke’s Gospel is more vague in its reference to the place, whereas Matthew names no location for the Ascension at all.)

In the fourth century, a basilica was constructed on the site of Ascension Rock, believed to be the last point on earth touched by the incarnate Christ; however, the basilica was destroyed 200 years later.  The Crusaders rebuilt the building, only to see it razed again.  Today, all that remains from the medieval period is the Chapel of the Ascension, a small octagonal building or edicule that contains a stone imprinted with what some believe to be the right footprint of Jesus.  The building was for a time used as a mosque, but as a gesture of good will to Christians, a second mosque was built nearby, and the Chapel is now open to visitors of all faith traditions.

Image source (top)
Bottom Image:  Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Mill Valley