The Church of Bethphage

Just east of the Old City of Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives is the Franciscan Church of Bethphage. Bethphage is a name derived from Aramaic, meaning “the house of the unripe fig,” a reference to the fruitless fig tree that was cursed by Jesus and withered and died in the Bible. This location is significant in Christianity because it was here that Jesus instructed two of his disciples to fetch him a donkey and her colt in order to ride into Jerusalem. From this point Jesus began his triumphal entry in to Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, fulfilling the messianic prophecy of Zechariah. The crowds that gathered celebrated by singing “Hosanna” and laid their cloaks and palm  fronds  before  Him.  This  tradition  is  celebrated  today  during  Palm  Sunday processions beginning from the Church of Bethphage. The tradition of the Palm Sunday procession from Bethphage began during the Crusader period in Jerusalem. By the end of the Crusader period that practice had all but ended, but was renewed later by the Franciscans and continues today. In the 1870s, a stone was discovered with Crusader era paintings featuring Jesus meeting Martha and Mary, the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus beginning his triumphal entry to Jerusalem, and the people holding palm fronds. This stone is known as the Stele of Bethphage and it is believed that this was the stone that Jesus used to mount the donkey before his entry to Jerusalem. After the discovery of the stone, the Franciscans purchased the land on which the Church of Bethphage now sits. The Franciscan church was built in 1883 on top of the remains of a Crusader era chapel and a 4th century Byzantine shrine. At the time the church was built, the Ottoman rulers restricted the construction of churches in Jerusalem, so the original structure more closely resembled a fortress rather than a church. In 1897 an arch was added to the church and in 1954 the church was renovated and a tower was built. This structure is what is seen today. The stone that was discovered during the 19th century in now on display at the Church of Bethphage. The interior of the Church is also adorned with a mural of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. Travelers can see these impactful pieces during a trip to the Church, which welcomes visitors every day. Although a stop at the church is recommended at any time of year, it is a profound experience to witness the Palm Sunday procession which departs from the Church of Bethphage each year at the start of Holy Week and not to be missed by those in Jerusalem.