Dominus Flevit is a Roman-Catholic site on the slopes of the Mount of Olives, facing the old city of Jerusalem. The site combines great panoramas of the Temple Mount, an impressive chapel built over significant archaeological discoveries, and a significant Christian tradition.
History of Dominus Flevit Church
According to the Gospels, before entering Jerusalem for the Passover, At Bethpage Jesus sent his disciples to look for a donkey and a colt to ride upon. The Gospel of Luke adds that just before his entrance, Jesus saw the city of Jerusalem, yet lamented its future destruction:
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (Luke 19:41-44). |
The reaction of Jesus to this sight was probably surprising to those with him, but his words were true – only a few decades after his crucifixion, in 70 CE, all of Jerusalem was razed to the ground by the Romans, as a punishment for the rebellion of the Jews.
The exact location of where Jesus lamented over Jerusalem is not given, but the most likely place would be on the western slope of the Mount of Olives where one coming from the east sees Jerusalem for the first time. As one ascends toward Jerusalem from Jericho, the view of the city from the Mount of Olives is stunning. However, Roman Catholic tradition locates the place of Jesus’ lamentation about half-way down from the Mount of Olives to the Kidron Valley. It is called Dominus Flevit, ‘The Lord wept’ in Latin.
Visiting the Church of Dominus Flevit
For a full appreciation of the site it is recommended to combine it with a guided day tour of Jerusalem.
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Points of Interest in the Area
Mount of Olives Viewpoint | |
Chapel of the Ascension | |
Pater Noster |
Additional Day Tours