Holy Week: St James Armenian Cathedral

 This weekend, for billions of Christians around the World is the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday, where Jesus was welcomed into the holy city of Jerusalem. Inside the old Jerusalem, one of the quarters we visited was the Armenian Quarter where the St James Cathedral, also known as the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem is located. This Cathedral and Monastery was built during the 12th Century and still standing strong in the present time in the 21st Century. This is the religious home of the Armenian Orthodox Church with their patriarch, senior leaders and monks. The Cathedral is dedicated to two Christian saints: St James the Apostle and St James, brother of Jesus. During our visit to Jerusalem, we were blessed to attend their afternoon prayer session.  The Cathedral's interior was richly decorated with byzantine lamps, centuries old religious icons and paintings. It was such a beautiful and serene place. A perfect place to reflect and pray together with the monks. This Holy Week is our time to renew our soul and reflect on the passion, death and resurrection of our saviour, Jesus Christ.