Olive Trees and the Gethsemene Basilica of Agony Church

The Gethsemene Basilica of Agony Church is located near the base of the Mount of Olives not far from the eastern wall of the city and is one of the traditional sites for the place where Jesus prayed.  Near its entrance is a beautiful garden with some of the oldest olive trees found anywhere – literally hundreds of years old.  This is the same garden from which Elder Jeffrey R. Holland bore his testimony of Christ in the church video “Special Witnesses of Christ.”  (Watch this powerful 2-minute video here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZQECHeqXRw)

The olive tree is extensively cultivated in Palestine for the sake of the oil. There are some wonderful lessons associated with it and the oil it produces.  For example, the olive requires being grafted; hence Paul’s allusion to the Gentiles.  Using the olive tree in an allegorical sense to illustrate Israel and the Gentiles is also done by Zenos, as quoted by Jacob in the Book of Mormon.

The olive tree has great significance to the Jewish people. The olive branch has been a traditional symbol of peace for thousands of years. The olive itself has special qualities that can be associated with peace and harmony.

                        Olives provide oil for lamps, so they provide light.

                        The cleansing power of olive oil brings purification.

                        The hardiness of the olive tree symbolizes fertility and vital energy.

                        Olive trees can live for 500 years, evoking immortality.

In addition, the olive branch is featured in the story of Noah. Noah sends out a dove to find and bring back evidence of dry land. The dove returns with an olive leaf in its beak, as proof that the flood had subsided.

It is important to mention that the word Gethsemene is derived from the Aramaic literally meaning “oil press” - an appropriate name for the place where the Savior was pressed with the weight of our sins to the point that he sweat drops of blood from every pore.

Quoting Elder Nelson (December 1989 Ensign): "The word Gethsemene comes from two Hebrew roots: gath, meaning "press," and shemen, meaning "oil," especially that of the olive.

Matt and Doug demonstrating the olive press at the Jerusalem Center

There olives had been pressed under the weight of great stone wheels to squeeze precious oil from the olives.  So the Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane was literally pressed under the weight of the sins of the world.  He sweated great drops of blood - his life's "oil" - which issued from every pore."

Inside the church