Prayer at the Church of All Nations in Jerusalem during your Christian Holy Land Tour of Israel

The Church of All Nations: A Sacred Christian Landmark

The Church of All Nations, also known as the Basilica of the Agony, is a Roman Catholic Church located on the Mount of Olives, beside the Garden of Gethsemane. This sacred site is a highlight of our Holy Land tour. It is built over a bedrock that, according to Christian tradition, marks the very place where Jesus prayed in deep anguish before His arrest (Mark 14:32–42).

Jesus' Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane

As written in the Gospel of Matthew: “Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” — Matthew 26:36–39 (ESV)

A Site Steeped in Christian Heritage

The present Basilica was constructed between 1919 and 1924 with contributions from twelve different nations, symbolizing unity in Christian faith and earning the name “Church of All Nations.” It stands atop the ruins of two earlier churches: a 4th-century Byzantine basilica destroyed by an earthquake in 746, and a 12th-century chapel built by the Crusaders, later abandoned in 1345.

A Place of Ecumenical Worship

Managed by the Franciscan Order, the Church features an open-air altar in its gardens that welcomes diverse Christian denominations. These include Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Protestant, Lutheran, Evangelical, Anglican, and other culturally distinctive Christian communities.

International Contributions to the Basilica

A unique feature of the church is the presence of stained-glass domes representing each contributing nation. From left to right (starting at the apse), these countries are: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico; the center includes Italy, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom; and on the right side: Belgium, Canada, Germany, and the United States. Mosaics in the apses were donated by Ireland, Hungary, and Poland, while Australia gifted the crown encircling the bedrock where Jesus prayed.

A Sacred Space of Christ's Suffering and Divine Purpose

The façade of the Basilica features large Corinthian columns beneath a breathtaking mosaic portraying Jesus as the bridge between God and humanity. Designed by Professor Giulio Bargellini, the Basilica’s three aisles conclude with mosaic-adorned apses depicting biblical events from the Garden of Gethsemane. The central high altar overlooks the revered bedrock—believed to be the very stone where Christ submitted to God’s will on the night of His betrayal by Judas.

Experience the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations

Visiting the Church of All Nations is a deeply moving experience, especially for those on a Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It is a place of reflection, unity, and prayer—a space where Christ’s obedience and love for humanity echo through time. Don’t miss the opportunity to pray where Jesus once prayed, and to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made for our salvation.