The Chapel of the Ascension
Citing a then recent incident, our guide indicated on 3/16/17 that we would be unable to visit the Chapel of the Ascension.
As per the Vatican News site,
"On Wednesday, March 8th, the chapel of the Ascension, located at the top of the Mount of Olives, was damaged by a voluntary fire. According to the media of the Custody of the Holy Land, in all likelihood, a car tire may have been laid and burnt on the revered rock - kept inside the chapel - where, according to a tradition dating from the early centuries of Christianity, Jesus ascended to heaven. The cabinet containing the postcards and religious items sold by a Muslim family, was also damaged. According to police, the incident may be related to a dispute between two families linked to the holy place. One person was allegedly arrested for questioning.
"The Chapel of the Ascension is one of the four shared holy places that depend on the Statu Quo. The status quo governs how the churches share the use, it's [sic] space and time of use. Of the four holy places, this chapel is the only one under the jurisdiction of the Waqf, that is the Muslim authority of the holy places.The present chapel dates from the Crusaders period. It was built in the place of a previous church destroyed in 614 by the Persians.
"The holy place is also frequented by Muslims."
http://www.news.va/en/news/asiaholy-land-the-chapel-of-the-ascension-on-the-t
Looking toward the area on the Mount of Olives, where the Ascension is believed to have taken place....
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