Episode 2: Waypoints in Church History The Cenacle, Jerusalem Acts 2:1-4

Waypoint timeline Music: ancient Jewish hymn?? Theme: begin the story of the Church’s history

Cenacle Introduction Waypoint: Cenacle in Jerusalem Emphasize importance of events at Cenacle Evangelist and historian: St. Luke Destruction of Jerusalem and the Cenacle Rebuilding of Cenacle

What is the Cenacle Cenacle is from Latin, cenaculum (coenaculum), for upper room or attic An ancient site in old Jerusalem near the Zion Gate Revered in Judaism as the site of King David’s tomb –Ancient synagogue on first floor Revered in Christianity as site of ‘birth place’ of the Church –The first waypoint for pilgrim Church –Sometimes referred to as the first Church

St. Luke Author of Gospel and Acts of the Apostles –Two books about the foundation of Christianity –First Book (Gospel) is about Jesus –Second (Acts) Book covers missionary work of apostles Luke was a disciple of Paul who travelled with him to Rome He was a very learned man, by tradition a physician and artist Why does he write these Books? –See Luke 1:3-4

Important Events at Cenacle Last Supper and First Eucharist –Luke 22 Some resurrection appearances of Jesus –Luke 24 Election of St. Matthias to replace Judas among apostles –Acts 1 Pentecost and first public sermon by St. Peter –Acts 2

First Century Roman Palestine

First Century Roman Empire

Herod the Great (73 to 4 BC) His father, Antipater, was placed in power by Romans Herod grew up (‘hostage’) in Rome Friend with both Ceaser Augustus and Mark Antony Becomes Roman client king of Romans Exerts great power in Palestine, including massive building projects –Second Temple precinct –Cities of Caesarea and Tiberius –Palaces in Jerusalem, Masada When he dies, Romans divide his kingdom among his sons with a Roman administrator

Brief History of First Century AD Roman Provence of Palestine Friction among Herod’s sons Friction among various Jewish groups over relation with Rome –Priests and Sadducees in Jerusalem –Pharisees –Essenes –Zealots Frictions make Palestine a contentious place, with several localized tax rebellions –Jesus crucified by Romans as an insurrectionist in 33 AD One major First Century War: First Jewish War 66 – 73 AD –Starts in Galilee, but spreads throughout Palestine –Nero appoints Vespasian and his son Titus as Roman generals –Destruction of Second Temple in 70 AD –Fall of Masada in 73 AD

Roman Destruction of Jerusalem In 70 A.D. Romans lay siege to Jerusalem Eyewitness account from the historian Josephus –Jew who defected to Romans –After the War, he writes about Judaism A great fire destroyed the Temple, and much of Jerusalem, including the original Cenacle –Western Wall is one of the few things not destroyed

Later History of Cenacle After time of persecution by Romans, a great basilica was built in 4 th C at the Cenacle –Becomes an important pilgrimage site This building was destroyed by Muslims in 11 th C Rebuilt by Crusaders in 12 th C

Cenacle Summary Cenacle as model for our liturgical life –Each local Church place where Eucharist is celebrated –Word preached –Sacraments administered Also a model for patient endurance of pilgrim Church during difficult times –After crucifixion –Destruction of Jerusalem

Next Waypoint: The Coliseum