Church of the Pater Noster
City:
Jerusalem
State, Province, Region, or District:
Jerusalem (At-Tur) District
Country:
Israel
Overview
The Church of the Pater Noster ("Our Father" in Latin) was built over the cave where it's believed Jesus taught His disciples the Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). It's also the place where it's believed Jesus gave the famous Olivet Discourse about the end times (Matthew 24).
The Crusaders discovered marble plaques on this site, on which the Lord’s Prayer was inscribed in both Greek and Hebrew, and modern archeologists have also uncovered a third plaque inscribed in Latin. Today, the church is most famous for its open-air sanctuary and vibrant ceramic tile plaques in the cloister inscribed with the Lord’s Prayer in over 140 languages.
Alternate Names
Church of the Pater Noster; Sanctuary (Church) (Basilica) of the Eleona (Eleonia); Church of the Disciples
Geography & Location
The Church of Pater Noster is located on the top of the Mount of Olives, just below the Chapel of the Ascension.
Biblical, Historical, & Archaeological Background Information
Historical Timeline
Architecture
The Church of the Pater Noster features a unique architectural blend of 4th-century Byzantine ruins, an incomplete 20th-century neo-Byzantine basilica, and a European-style cloister. Located on the Mount of Olives, it is most famous for its open-air sanctuary and vibrant ceramic tile plaques inscribed with the Lord’s Prayer in over 140 languages.
Biblical & Historical References
In the New Testament, the Lord’s Prayer is mentioned two times. The first and longer form is found in Matthew 6 and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. The shorter form is found in Luke 11 and is a response given by Jesus to a request from one of his disciples to teach them to pray as John had taught his disciples. Apparently, according to Luke 10:38-42, Jesus came to this place to pray while staying at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, who lived in Bethany, located nearby to the southeast.
Spiritual Lessons and Application
It is very likely that Jesus prayed in this vicinity because He had just visited Mary, Martha, and Lazarus’ house in Bethany, a short distance away. Since Jesus regularly prayed on mountaintops, the top of the Mount of Olives would be a natural fit.
Etymology
Pater Noster – Latin: “Our father” meaning “Our Lord”; according to tradition, this prayer was taught by Jesus at this site
Planning a Visit
Disclaimer: The information provided below may not be current. Travel details, entry requirements, and business operations are subject to frequent change due to holidays, seasonal fluctuations, maintenance, staffing levels, weather, and safety considerations. Always double-check with official sources before you go.