Mount Zion is associated by Christian tradition with the site of the Last Supper, where the apostles hid after Jesus’ crucifixion, and where the Pentecost took place. The first leader of the community was James, who may have been a cousin of Jesus. After his execution (Acts 12:2), Simon of Clopas succeeded in leading the Early Christian community. When the Jewish rebellion against Rome broke out (66 CE), the Christian community fled to Pella in Jordan, but they later returned. Following the second Jewish rebellion against Rome (the Bar-Kokhva rebellion, 132-135 CE), the Romans forbade Jews of all faiths to reside in Jerusalem. The Christians stayed in the city, but now there were only gentile Christians.

Touring the First Century Church Site on Mount Zion

Some claim that an archaeological site on the southern slopes of Mount Zion bears remains of the first church of Jerusalem, from the 1st century. The site contains remains a typical Jewish ritual bath (“Miqveh”) from the first century. At a later stage the site was converted into a chapel. One cannot rule out that the early Christians dwelt here, using the Jewish ritual bath for Baptism. However, it is also possible that it is a hermitage of Monks fromt the Byzantine period. The site belongs to the Greek Orthodox church, and is closed to the public. Nevertheless, it can be seen from beyond the fence around it, and it was cleaned in 2018. There is no mark or sign at the site, and frankly very few tour guides and local are even aware of this site.

A tour of the site can be combined in a day tour of Jerusalem.