Church of the Pater Noster

The Church of the Pater Noster stands close to the summit of the Mount of Olives, just outside the walls of Jerusalem.

A cave within the grounds of the church has always been associated with our Lord's teaching of the Lord's Prayer (Pater Noster, Our Father).

The church has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in its long history, eventually falling into ruin in the 14th century.

In the 19th century the property was acquired by Princess Aurelia Bossi de la Tour d'Auvergne  of France, and the cave was rediscovered.

Rebuilding was begun, but in 1927 funds ran out and it was never finished.  The princess is buried on the site.  Throughout the location there are 140 plaques displaying the Lord's Prayer in different languages.

'This then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."'  [St Matthew 8]