For thousands of years, pilgrims from every corner of the world have covered long distances to reach Jerusalem. Today, thanks to the initiative of Yael Tarasiuk and Golan Rice, these ancient routes can be travelled down once again and the experience of a pilgrimage in the Holy Land relived.
The association “The Way to Jerusalem” offers the pilgrimage as an extraordinary opportunity to get to know the places of the Holy Land and its history, but also as an occasion for meetings, exchange and human dialogue.
The aim of the project is to reopen the historical routes towards Jerusalem, favouring an experience of personal growth and promoting dialogue between different cultures through meeting the local communities.
A project that is the fruit of friendship
Golan Rice, an expert in pilgrimages, has devoted years to the study of ancient and modern spiritual routes, completing the Way of St James. Yael Tarasiuk has extensive experience in the field of social inclusion and intercultural dialogue. Linked by a long friendship they decided to unite their skills and “We wondered,” Yael says, “that since there are routes like the Way of St James or the Francigena Way, why not create one dedicated to Jerusalem? This city has been and continues to be a destination of pilgrims and the faithful of different religions up to the present day.”
So, after having consulted archaeologists and scholars, they traced the original route which leads safely to Jerusalem.
The route is about 450 km long and winds from Galilee to Jerusalem. It is divided into four parts, but to date only the last stretch which goes from Jaffa to Jerusalem and is called the “Way of Silence” can be taken by pilgrims.
Welcome and sharing
There are points of rest and welcome along the route at local facilities, such as parishes, convents or private homes. Some inhabitants, supporting the project, open the doors of their homes to the pilgrims, offering an experience of authentic hospitality. This variety of solutions allows the pilgrims to immerse themselves fully in the life of the local communities and to come into contact with the local people.
The Custody of the Holy Land has actively supported this project, offering some of its structures. In Ramleh, for example, the pilgrims can visit the Franciscan parish and meet the local community, while in Ain Karem they can find rest and refreshments at the Casa Nova. These stopovers represent invaluable moments of exchange and sharing, which enrich the experience of the pilgrimage.
The way of silence, an interior path
The “Way of Silence” starts from the ancient port of Jaffa and ends at the entrance to the gate of the same name in the Old City of Jerusalem. The route starts by going through the urban areas of the coastal city to then continue climbing up the two ridges that surround Jerusalem.
The “Way of Silence” follows ancient routes used by Jewish, Christian and Muslim pilgrims in the past centuries. The first traces date back to the Roman period, when a paved road connected Jaffa with Jerusalem.
Yael underlines how this pilgrimage, in particular the last stretch, does not aim to be only a test of physical resistance. On this route, the pilgrim can have the experience of silence and rediscovering themselves.
“The way of silence,” says Yael, “is not only a physical route, but also an interior one. It is a route in the heart of pilgrims who, as they approach Jerusalem, wonder what they are seeking in the Holy City.”
The pilgrimage as an occasion for encounter and exchange
The Way to Jerusalem is a unique experience which combines spirituality and humanity. Yael and Golan, in involving the local communities, have created a network of welcome which fosters encounters between people of different cultures and religions.
As Yael says, “Over the last few years, we have gone from one stage to the next, from one community to another to tell them about the project. We said that the pilgrims will pass through these places and maybe ask for water and some words of comfort. Because what a pilgrim needs is that their journey is recognized.”
Walking, silence and meeting other people mean that anyone who undertakes this journey returns deeply changed. They go back to believing again.
“This is the meaning of the pilgrimage for me,” said Yael, “going back to believing in people, in love or in God.”
By Lucia Borgato | custodia
