Thursday, October 30, 2014

48) Viri Galilaei Greek Orthodox Church

On the summit of the Mount of Olives, where Jesus ascended to heaven according to Acts (1: 9-12), there are at least four churches to mark the tradition. The traditional Chapel or Dome of Ascension is now part of a mosque, and the Russian Orthodox and the Evangelical Lutherans have a church each on the site. Viri Galilaei is the Greek Orthodox church to commemorate the Biblical passage where an angel refers to the Apostles as the 'Men of Galilee' immediately after the Ascension (Acts 1:11). Among the four churches, Viri Galilaei is the least explored and more difficult one to locate.