The Room of the Last Supper called the Coenaculum, or the Cenacle, or the Upper Room, lies just outside the Dormition Abbey behind the Franciscan house on Sion. The Tomb of King David is believed to be located beneath the Upper Room.
The Upper Room brings to mind the scene of momentous events recounted in the Gospels: the institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper, Jesus' appearance before the Apostles after his Resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit over the Apostles at Pentecost.
The descent of the Holy Spirit over the Apostles at Pentecost, is commemorated in the Chapel of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, exactly above the room where King David's Tomb is venerated.
Upon entering the Upper Room you find yourself in a large hall. The ceiling is supported by three pillars which divide the room into three naves. The pillars and the arches, windows and other Gothic style architectural elements are a clear indication the room was built by the Crusaders in the early 14th century, on top of a much older structure most probably pre-dating the first churches erected in Palestine. This old structure, according to the archaeological research, was a church-synagogue of the early Christian community of Jerusalem.
 |
| The Crusader Church where the Upper Room is located |
 |
| Stairs to the Upper Room |
 |
| The Upper Room |
 |
| The Upper Room |
No comments:
Post a Comment