#christianity

The Lausanne Cathedral stands at the highest point of Lausanne’s Old Town. Overlooking the City of Lausanne, the Cathedral enables a view of the Lake and the Alps afar as well. Its long history furthermore provides a vantage point of spiritual and cultural significance. The Cathedral was constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries. In 1275, Pope Gregory X and Rudolf of Habsburg consecrated the cathedral. In 1536, it became a Protestant cathedral during the Reformation era. Pierre Viret, the first Reformer of Lausanne, has studied alongside John Calvin. Following the adoption of Protestantism, the formerly very ornate Cathedral suffered from Reformist iconoclasm. I have little understanding of the architectural and interior features of the Cathedral, but I did notice the beautiful windows with colorful panes. The decorated windows depict the “medieval view of the world arranged around the figure of God the creator.” The organ of the Lausanne Cathedral is itself worthy of a visit. A product of organ builder Fisk, an American company, the organ prides itself in 7,396 pipes, 5 keyboards and pedalboards, and 2 consoles. Four styles of organ building are present: French classical and symphonic, and German baroque and romantic. Giugiaro, the Italian designer known for Ferrari and Maserati cars, designed the case of this organ. The design symbolizes an angel with spread wings. As such, this organ is the first organ in the world that was designed. Last, but not least, the organ inaugurated in 2003, and the Cathedral holds concerts periodically. Twenty-five recitals coincide with the Christian calendar. Today, the City of Lausanne is perhaps the best known for the Lausanne Movement of 1974. It is a contemporary movement in world evangelization. Billy Graham initiated the first Congress. Delegations from around the world still meet periodically for the International Congress for World Evangelization, where they pray and discuss strategies for world Christian missions. #lausanne #lausanneheritage #switzerland #switzerlandtrip #switzerlandtravel #lausannecathedral #cathedral #europe #europeanarchitecture #christianity #travel#citydaytours

The Old City charmed visitors with its crisscross streets. Bazaars selling all kinds of oddities along the roads form an air of festiveness. The goods and fruits shine incredible colors upon the Old City’s characteristic sandstone buildings. More than two thousand years ago, Jesus walked this very path, bearing the weight of the cross on his shoulders as soldiers beat, tortured and taunted him. The Via Dolorosa (Lat. The Road of Sorrow) is the name for this journey. I meditated along my way, deliberately avoiding conversations with others. Other tourists seemed also to be keeping to themselves as well, walking silently. Some carried a cross in an entourage, to relive the suffering that once happened here. We walked in a rapid pace through the Old City. I had in my mind the imagery of Jesus here. In all solemnity I walked on, despite the picturesque scenery and all the tourist activities surrounding. There were a total of 14 stops on the Via Dolorosa, culminating to the very last stop where, as the Catholics saw it, Jesus’ crucifixion took place. There were disagreements as to the site of the crucifixion. The Anglican reading of history sounded reasonable, I thought it was likely to be closer to the true historical facts. Yet having walked Old City through the Via Dolorosa, I felt that the Catholic interpretation of history, with the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as the final stop for Christ, brought forth a more emotionally powerful experience. It had to do with the sights and scenes on the way. There was the presence and continuation of an ancient city-scape that lends a sense of historic beauty, with it an authenticity that elicited lasting impressions and emotional responses. It also had to do with the pilgrims, who, through reliving Jesus’ suffering, brought to life the message of redemption. The Garden Tomb, despite being peaceful, did not move me in my soul. #israel #viadolorosa #jesuschrist #christianity #catholicism #churchoftheholysepulcher, #jerusalem #church

“We think this is where World War III will begin.” Alla____hu Akbar! Alla_____hu Akbar! At the Dome of the Rock, groups of men shouted this repeatedly. Meaning “God Allah is Greatest,” this phrase often preceded terrorist attacks in the West. Located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock is the holiest of the holy for three theistic religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism. While the general areas outside of the mosque were open to tourists and the Jewish people, the Golden Dome and the mosque only permitted Muslims for worship. At the public area, the Jewish people often encountered animosity. The Arab worshipers that gathered in groups would chant, “alla____hu akbar!” to shoo them (and the secular and the religious tourists) away. Our tour guide stressed again and again: no Bibles! Security at the Dome of the Rock had to do with the presence (or actually, the forced absence) of the Bible. The rule was very strict. That was just one of the many ways that tension expressed itself at the holiest of the holy. The Muslims believed that Prophet Mohammed ascended to Heavens from the foundation rock at the Dome. The Jewish people and the Christians believed that this was the site where Abraham sacrificed his son Isaac. The Arabic chant notwithstanding, the area surrounding the dome was serene. I walked around in the wonderful weather, sun-soaked. Although I fancied a sneak-in for a look, I dared not temper with Muslim religious decrees. Nor would I stretch the limits of our Arabic Christian tour guide’s explicit warnings. A close view of the architecture served all my purposes. Furthermore, the Muslim-Jewish tension at play opened my eyes. Their interactions here were representative of the centuries-old strife between these peoples. Construction for the Golden Dome completed in 691 A.D., by the Muslim Caliph Abd Al Malik. It stood at the former site of a Roman temple, which was built on the yet former site of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. With the Roman invasion came the destruction of the Second Temple in 70A.D. n the Dome’s long history, many religious administrators have overseen and restored the structure. The most notable was the Jordanian Arabs. They shouldered the funds necessary for the gold-plated dome. The Muslim religious trust is the current administrator overseeing the Dome, after years of contentions. The three religions all laid claims on the Dome’s sacredness and significance. Lavish mosaics line the interior of the Dome. The photographs online were the second-best option for me as I did not dare going inside. #jerusalem #islam #abraham #christianity #judaism #israel #religion #travel

Cairo was absolutely magical! I had the chance to visit the oldest and largest church in the world, and as a Christian, it was so special to hear stories that reminded me of home. It's funny how those little moments can transport us back, right? There's so much more I wanted to do but time flew by. Fingers crossed for a return trip soon!#egypt_where_history_started #cairoegypt #christianity #desertlife