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Prophet Mary
Lions Gate, Old Jerusalem.
Birth place of Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus
Location: 31.781 - 35.237
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What is the significance of Prophet Mary in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam?
Judaism
She is not recognized as a prophetess, and classical, non-canonical Jewish texts sometimes portray her (and her son Jesus) in a highly critical or controversial light.
Christianity
Highly venerated as the blessed Virgin Mother of Jesus. The Gospels highlight her faith, obedience, and vital role in the Incarnation.
Islam
She is considered the greatest of all women, and the only woman named in the Quran. She is viewed as a woman of immense piety and a divinely chosen miracle worker who gave birth to the Prophet Jesus while remaining a virgin.
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What is the Lions Gate?Lions Gate, also St Stephen's Gate, is one of the seven open Gates of the Old City of Jerusalem. It leads into the Muslim Quarter of the Old City. The start of the traditional Christian observance of the last walk of Jesus from prison to crucifixion, the Via Dolorosa, begins at the Lions' Gate, called St Stephen's Gate by Christians. Carved into the wall above the gate are four lions, two on the left and two on the right. Suleiman the Magnificent had the carvings made to celebrate the Ottoman defeat of the Mamluks in 1517. Legend has it that Suleiman's predecessor Selim I dreamed of lions that were going to eat him because of his plans to level the city. He was spared only after promising to protect the city by building a wall around it. This led to the lion becoming the heraldic symbol of Jerusalem.
Where is Jerusalem?Jerusalem is a city in the Middle East. It is located on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, and is considered holy to the three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority claim Jerusalem as their capital, as Israel maintains its primary governmental institutions there and the State of Palestine ultimately foresees it as its seat of power; however, neither claim is widely recognized internationally.
