New Tunnel Discovered within City of David

In a briefing last night, Eilat Mazar, a renowned archaeologist who has been excavating at the City of David for a number of years, presented findings highlighting the discovery of a "gutter", part of an ancient water system descried in 2 Sam 5:8. For years scholars have believed that it was through this water system that David was able to conquer Jebus, later known as the City of David. The gutter was discovered last winter after a snowfall in the excavation area that pertained to the First Temple period, known as Area G. The passageway is wide enough for pedestrian traffic and travels north/south which is the direction of the Temple Mount and connects with a structure identified as the palace of King David. An article written by Nadav Shragai providing more information on this latest discovery can be found at http://www.haaretz.com/

3,000 year old City Discovered in Valley of Elah

Published yesterday in the New York Times is an extremely interesting article depicting recent findings of a possible ancient city located south of Jerusalem in the Valley of Elah. Archaeologists are unearthing antiquities including a formidable fortress, that may possibly support writings within the Scriptures which emphasize the importance of Jerusalem and King David during the period of the 10th century B.Cc. The article can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/world/middleeast/30david.html?_r=1&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin

Legionaries of Christ in Jerusalem

The Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ may be one of numerous Christian congregations in the world, but it represents the one Congregation that Pope John Paul II entrusted the management and administration of the historic Notre Dame Centre in Jerusalem in late 2004. Known as the Pontifical Institute of Jerusalem, the Notre Dame Center is the Vatican's main religious, educational, cultural institution in Jerusalem and sits very close to Christianity's main holy site, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Notre Dame Center houses a significant library and serves to welcome pilgrims and others from around the world as well as Christians in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Notre Dame Center provides a professional hospitality training center for Palestinian youth as well as a permanent exhibition on "Who is the Man of the Shroud". The adjacent John Paul II conference center hosts numerous international seminars, lectures and cultural events. The Legion of Christ, known as the Legionaries of Christ, is a Roman Catholic order that was founded in Mexico in 1941 by the late Father Marcial Macial, LC. Its mission is to extend the Kingdom of Christ in society according to the requirements of Christian justice and charity.

Historic Notre Dame Center renovates Guest Units

Ideally located across from the New Gate in Jerusalem lies the Notre Dame Center, at 145 rooms it is the largest and most extensive Christian guest house in the Holy Land and can accommodate groups of up to 500 persons. Erected in the late 1880's the guest units offer some of the best views of the Old City of Jerusalem, situated footsteps away. The property is within easy walking distance to many of the city's most important sites. The pilgrim-oriented guest house is in the process of completing a major renovation to many of its guest units, most of which are now freshly painted and equipped with new lighting fixtures, doors, stall showers, wood-like floors, bed coverings and window treatments. New furniture has been ordered and is expected to be delivered shortly. In addition to the typical guest rooms that can accommodate two persons, there are now a few deluxe suites that have living rooms, kitchen facilities and expansive outdoor terraces overlooking the Old City. The guest house offers an an on site chapel, restaurants, meeting rooms, business center and offers daily mass and adornation. Legionary priests are available for mass and confession.