Between the minaret and the cross symbol

They parted, like shadows, dissolving into the dense crowd that, like a river, flowed ceaselessly through the narrow streets of the Old City. Alexander remained standing at the Western Wall, alone, looking at the ancient stones, over which the rays of the moon slid. A storm of emotions raged in his head: excitement, fear, hope, and a premonition of something great and unknown.

He felt that his life had changed forever. From the moment he made the decision to take a risk, stepping on this dangerous path, his fate was already predetermined. He could no longer return to his former life, to quiet days in the library, to scholarly debates within the walls of the university. Now, he would face a struggle, a struggle for the truth, a struggle against unknown enemies, a struggle that could lead to glory or destruction.

He touched the cold stones of the Wall with his hand, as if hoping to receive support and strength from them. He knew that a difficult path lay ahead of him, full of dangers and surprises. But he was ready for it. He was ready to risk everything for his dream, for the revelation of a secret that could possibly change the world.

The Western Wall remained silent, holding within it the age-old secrets and hopes of millions of people. Alexander stood before it, a small man in the face of eternity, and knew that from now on, his life was forever connected with these sacred stones and with the city that had become his destiny.

The next day, Alexander spent in the library of the National Museum, as if under siege, buried in dusty tomes and ancient maps, in a desperate attempt to find at least some information about the secret excavations being carried out under the Temple Mount. He was looking for any mentions, any clues, any hints that could shed light on what was happening there, but his efforts were in vain. Everything was classified, as if covered with a thick layer of the dust of time and carefully guarded from prying eyes. Information seemed to have evaporated, disappeared from all available sources, leaving Alexander completely in the dark.

All day long, doubts tormented him, like a swarm of annoying insects. Should he trust Amir and David, these mysterious young men who appeared out of nowhere and offered him help? Were they luring him into a trap, pursuing their own hidden goals? Were they part of some complex game in which he was just a pawn? These questions gnawed at his brain, giving him no peace for a minute. He felt that he was being followed, that he was being watched, that someone wanted to prevent him from getting to the truth.

But, despite all the doubts and fears, he could not back down. Too much was at stake, too great was the chance to uncover a secret that could change the world. He had already crossed the line, and now there was no turning back. He had to go all the way, even if it cost him everything.

In the evening, when night fell on Jerusalem, enveloping it in a mysterious shadow, Alexander, like a conspirator creeping in the dark, headed towards the Lion’s Gate, also known as St. Stephen’s Gate. Each step echoed loudly in the empty alleys, intensifying the tension that gripped his entire body.

His heart was pounding in his chest, like a bird caught in a cage, its beats echoing in his ears. His breathing quickened, and his throat became dry. He felt that something important awaited him, something that could turn his life upside down. Something that could change the world, or at least his perception of it.

Fear and excitement mixed into a strange cocktail, giving him strength and paralyzing him at the same time. He knew that this night could be a turning point in his life, that his decisions and actions would determine not only his fate but also, possibly, the fate of the whole world.

He walked in the dark, as if towards his destiny, ready for any trials that awaited him. He knew that the risk was great, but his belief that he was doing the right thing gave him courage and determination. He must get to the truth, no matter what it cost him.

Approaching the Lion’s Gate, somber and majestic in the light of the sparse street lamps, Alexander saw Amir and David, waiting for him in the shadows. They stood motionless, their faces hidden in the dim light, but Alexander felt their tense anticipation, their readiness for action.

«Ready?» Amir asked, his voice sounding muffled and serious. In his eyes, which flashed in the moonlight, there was determination and confidence.

Alexander nodded, trying to hide the excitement that gripped him from head to toe. He felt a lump rise in his throat but managed to swallow it, gathering all his willpower.

«Then let’s go,» David said, his voice sounding warningly. «But be careful. There may be guards here, and they will not stand on ceremony with intruders. We need to act quickly and silently so as not to attract attention.»

hey set off, like ghosts gliding through the night, their steps quiet and cautious. Alexander followed them, trying to keep up and not make unnecessary noise. He felt adrenaline surging through his blood, sharpening all his senses. He was ready for anything, for any danger that might lie in wait for them on this nocturnal adventure.

They moved into the darkness, creeping like thieves. Alexander followed them, feeling the tension rising. He knew that danger lay ahead. But he was ready to risk everything for the sake of the truth.

The Lion’s Gate remained behind. Amir confidently led them through the labyrinth of narrow alleys. David, walking behind, kept looking back, as if expecting a chase. Alexander struggled to keep up with them, stumbling on cobblestones and cursing his city shoes.

The silence of the night, which covered the ancient city like a velvet blanket, was broken only by the rare howling of the wind, sweeping through the narrow streets like a ghost, and muffled voices coming from open windows, like snippets of other people’s lives, spied through a keyhole. Every sound, every shadow seemed ominous and threatening.

Alexander felt the tension building with every step, with every minute spent in this utter darkness. His heart hammered in his chest like a mad drummer, and his breathing became intermittent and uneven. He felt himself being watched, as if someone was stalking him, ready to attack at any moment.

Fragments of thoughts flashed through his head, like frames from an old movie, jumbled and illogical. Concerns for his life mingled with the anticipation of discovery, with the hope of finding what he had been searching for so long. He thought about the professor from the Hebrew University, about his skepticism and doubts. He imagined how surprised the professor would be if he managed to prove his hypothesis.

He thought about what might await him ahead, about the dangers he would have to overcome. He understood that the risk was great, but he was ready to go all the way, ready to risk everything for the sake of the truth.

Finally, after a long and exhausting wandering through the labyrinth of narrow streets, Amir stopped at an inconspicuous wall, thickly overgrown with ivy, as if trying to hide its secrets from prying eyes. The wall seemed to be part of an ancient, dilapidated building, abandoned and forgotten by everyone.

He quickly looked around, making sure that no one saw them, that there were no guards or curious passersby around. His movements were quick and precise, as if honed by years of training. Taking a small tool out of his pocket, resembling a lock pick, he deftly opened the old, rusty lock hanging on the narrow wooden door, as if guarding the entrance to some secret world.

«Here,» he whispered, opening the door. It yielded with a quiet creak, opening a narrow passage leading deep into the wall. «Be careful. It can be dangerous here. It’s dark inside, and we don’t know what awaits us. But if we want to know the truth, we must take the risk.»

They went inside, stepping over the threshold, as if crossing the boundary between reality and mystery. The door creaked quietly behind them, closing, cutting them off from the outside world, plunging them into total darkness.

Before them stretched a dark corridor, long and narrow, like a gut, dug in the bowels of the earth. It smelled of dampness and mustiness, of antiquity and oblivion. The air was heavy and stale, as if no one had breathed here for centuries.

Amir took a small but powerful flashlight out of his pocket, and the narrow beam of light cut through the dense darkness, snatching from the gloom a vaulted ceiling made of rough stone. The ceiling was low, oppressive, as if threatening to collapse at any moment.

«These are ancient catacombs,» David explained, his voice echoing in the narrow space. «They lead directly under the Temple Mount, to the excavation site. These catacombs were dug centuries ago, and who knows what secrets they hold.»

«How did you find out about this place?» Alexander asked, his curiosity overcoming his fear. He didn’t understand how these young men had been able to find the entrance to this secret place, which had been hidden from the whole world.

«We have our own sources,» Amir replied evasively, avoiding a direct answer. He clearly didn’t want to reveal his connections and his methods. «The main thing is that we are here. And we have a chance to see what the authorities are hiding from us.»

They moved down the corridor, cautiously stepping on the uneven floor, trying not to stumble over the stones and debris lying under their feet. Each step echoed loudly in the narrow space, increasing the feeling of isolation and danger.

With each step, it became colder and damper, as if they were plunging into the very heart of the earth. The cold pierced to the bone, making them shiver. The walls of the corridor were covered with a thick layer of mold, and they gave off an unpleasant smell of rot and decay. It seemed that time itself had stopped here, leaving behind only decay and desolation.

After a while, which seemed like an eternity to Alexander, they came to a fork. Two corridors diverged in different directions, disappearing into the impenetrable darkness. It was unclear where to go next. Alexander felt anxiety grip him. He understood that they could get lost in this labyrinth of catacombs and never get out to the surface.»

««Where to next?» Alexander asked, trying to hide the anxiety in his voice. He completely relied on Amir and David, hoping that they knew where they were going.

«To the right,» Amir replied, confidently turning into one of the corridors. His confidence slightly reassured Alexander. «The entrance to the excavation site is there. We’re almost there. Just a little bit left.»

They walked for about ten more long and tense minutes, during which it seemed to Alexander that time had stopped. Every step echoed loudly in the narrow corridor, increasing the feeling of anxiety and anticipation.

Finally, they reached a massive stone door, rough and ancient, behind which, apparently, was what they were looking for, what they had made this dangerous journey for. The door was locked with several locks, complex and reliable, but Amir and David, armed with lock picks and other tools that they handled with the skill of professional burglars, quickly dealt with them. The locks opened one after another with a quiet click, as if yielding to the onslaught of time and persistence.

«Ready?» David asked, opening the door, behind which yawned impenetrable darkness. In his voice, there was a slight excitement, mixed with anticipation.

Alexander nodded, feeling his heart pounding in his chest like a wildly beating drum. He understood that they were on the threshold of something important, that a meeting with the unknown awaited them, which could change his life and his perception of the world.

They entered a spacious room, as if stepping from the dark womb of the earth into the shining belly of history. The dim but numerous lights, hung around the perimeter, fought with the age-old darkness, but could not defeat it completely, creating an atmosphere of mystery and sacredness.

Before them lay a panorama worthy of the most captivating documentaries. Excavations were in full swing. Workers in khaki uniforms, with sweat on their foreheads and earth on their faces, were digging in the ground like moles, bringing ancient artifacts to light. Each swing of the pickaxe, each movement of the shovel, each touch of the brush to the fragile find was accompanied by a quiet whisper of prayer.

«What is this?» Alexander whispered, gazing in fascination at the scene that opened up before him. He seemed to have become numb, not believing his eyes. Theories and books were left far behind; before him was living history that could be touched.

«These are the remains of an ancient temple,» Amir replied, his voice sounding muffled and respectful. «They say it was built even before Solomon.»

He paused, as if gathering his thoughts, and continued: «Legends say that this sanctuary was erected by the Canaanites, the indigenous people of this land, long before the arrival of the Jews. It was called the Temple of El-Elyon, the temple of the Most High God. Here, not only El-Elyon was worshiped, but also other deities of the Canaanite pantheon. They say that sacrifices were offered here, rituals were performed, sacred rites were held, designed to appease the gods and ensure the fertility of the land.»

David added, lowering his voice: «Some historians believe that this temple was not just a place of worship, but a center of power, where priest-kings ruled, wielding enormous influence over the lives of people. Jerusalem was then not just a city, but a sacred place, the center of the world, where heaven and earth intersected.»

Alexander held his breath, listening to the story of Amir and David. He remembered his research, his search for a common faith uniting Islam and Christianity. He remembered the Canaanite deities, about El-Elyon, about his connection with Yahweh, the God of Israel. He realized that he was on the verge of a discovery that could overturn all his ideas about the past.

Alexander looked around, his eyes greedily absorbing every detail, every fragment of history that opened up before him. He saw fragments of columns, crowned with exquisite capitals, testifying to the skill of the ancient builders. He saw pieces of mosaic, which once adorned the floors of the temple, preserving bright colors, like a frozen moment of the past. He saw fragments of statues, depicting, probably, deities or heroes whose names have long been forgotten.

Everything around spoke of the fact that once there stood a magnificent temple dedicated to some ancient deity, the worship of which was an integral part of the lives of people who lived on this land long before the advent of Christianity and Islam.

He tried to imagine what this temple looked like in its heyday: its high vaults, decorated with carvings, its altars, sparkling with gold, its priests performing rituals while chanting prayers. He wanted to touch these stones, feel their energy, feel a connection with those who once lived and believed here.

Alexander saw the workers carefully extracting from the ground the remains of an altar, covered with a layer of ancient dust. He saw one of the workers carefully lift a small clay pot, possibly a vessel for sacrifices. Questions were born in his head that he could not allow himself to voice, fearing to attract attention. He realized that he was opening not just an archaeological find, but a window into the past, which could overturn all his ideas about history.

Suddenly, one of the workers, busy cleaning the clay vessel, accidentally raised his head and noticed the uninvited guests, frozen in the shadows. His face twisted in surprise, and he shouted loudly:

«Who’s there?»

At the same second, as if on command, the lights went out in the room. The dim lamps that illuminated the excavations went out at once, plunging everything into impenetrable darkness, which seemed to thicken and become even denser.

«Run!» David shouted, his voice sounding sharp and agitated. He immediately grabbed Alexander’s hand and, pushing him in the back, dragged him away from danger.

Panic gripped the room. The workers screamed, trying to understand what was happening. There were sounds of stumbling people, falling objects, the stomp of feet running in different directions. Alexander, stunned and disoriented, felt his heart beat wildly in his chest. He tried to get his bearings in the dark, but could not see anything. He fully relied on Amir and David, who knew the way and had to get him out of this death trap.

They rushed back to the door, hoping to find salvation in the catacombs, but it was too late. Harsh voices were heard from the darkness, and figures of guards, who appeared as if from underground, loomed over them.

«Stop!» one of them shouted, his voice sounding stern and commanding. «You are under arrest!»

Alexander realized that he had fallen into a trap, that all their efforts and hopes had been in vain. But he was not going to give up without a fight. He had to see what these excavations were hiding, to find out the truth, no matter what it cost him. He could not allow himself to be caught before he knew the answers to his questions.

Flashlights flashed, snatching the figures of the guards from the darkness and blinding them. The guards surrounded them, pointing their weapons at them, ready to use force at any moment. Alexander looked around for a way out, hoping to find some chance, some way to escape. He saw Amir and David peering intently into the faces of the guards, trying to understand their intentions.

Alexander understood that this could be the end of his research, the end of his path to the truth. And, possibly, the end of his life. Cold fear gripped him, but deep down he felt the determination to fight to the end, not to surrender without a fight. His gaze darted around the room, looking for a way out, looking for at least some hope.

Chapter 2Escape to Syria

Time seemed to slow down, turning seconds into eternity. The bright beam of a flashlight, snatching a huge hall from the darkness, showed Alexander something he did not expect at all. Around them, tightening the ring, guards emerged from the shadows, their faces impenetrable, and in their hands gleamed, reflecting the light of the flashlights, the barrels of pistols. Moments ago, their surroundings were filled only with dampness and antiquity, and now – with deadly threat. Adrenaline rushed into his blood, instantly sharpening his senses. His vision became clearer, his hearing sharper, even the smell of dampness seemed sharper than usual. Every movement, every breath of the guards seemed to take on special significance. Alexander understood that now, at this critical moment, not only his own life, but also the fate of his companions, and perhaps what they came to find in these catacombs, depended on his next step, on his next decision. The realization of this pressed down on him with an unbearable weight, demanding an immediate decision, an instant reaction.

«Don’t move!» one of the guards roared, his voice, distorted by the echo, sounded like thunder in the middle of the night silence. It was a young guy, with a malicious expression on his face, as if hatred for the intruders was overflowing him. «Hands behind your heads! Otherwise, we’ll open fire to kill!»

Amir and David exchanged glances, despair and determination flashing in their eyes. Slowly, obeying the order, they raised their hands behind their heads. Alexander followed their example, feeling the cold metal of the pistol touch his temple. He was frantically figuring out what to do, how to get out of this death trap. Run? Useless. They are surrounded, and it is simply impossible to leave unnoticed. Resist? Pointless. They have no weapons, and they will not be able to resist the armed guards. There was only one thing left – to improvise, to try to wriggle out of this situation, using all his knowledge and skills.

«We are tourists,» Alexander blurted out, trying to speak calmly and confidently, so as not to betray his fear. «We just got lost. We were walking around the Old City and accidentally stumbled upon this entrance. We didn’t know that excavations were being carried out here.»

«Don’t lie!» the guard shouted, his face contorted with anger. «We know who you are. We’ve been watching you since this morning. You wanted to steal ancient artifacts! You’re spies sent by competitors!»

«We didn’t want to steal anything,» Alexander continued, not losing hope of convincing them of his innocence. «We just wanted to see. We are fond of history. We are scientists; we are looking for the truth.»

The guard snorted contemptuously, his eyes narrowed, expressing complete disbelief.

«Shut up! Now you will all tell us everything at the police station. But first, tell me who sent you here! Otherwise, I will be forced to use force!»

The guards began to approach, tightening the ring, ready to tie them up and escort them to the nearest police station. Their hands reached for handcuffs, and their eyes burned with malice and suspicion. At this critical moment, when it seemed that there was no hope of salvation, Amir suddenly shouted something in Arabic, his words sounded like a spell, like a call to action. He leaned over sharply and threw a handful of earth under the feet of the nearest guards. A cloud of dust rose into the air, blinding eyes, causing coughs and tears.

Taking advantage of the sudden confusion, David pounced on one of the guards. Grabbing him by the arm, he sharply pulled him towards himself, using his weight against him. The guard lost his balance and fell to the ground with a dull groan, pulling down two more who were nearby. A small scuffle arose, in which dust and darkness created chaos and confusion.

Run!» Amir shouted, pushing Alexander in the back. His voice sounded desperate but at the same time resolute.

They rushed into the darkness, dodging rubble, boxes of artifacts, and deep pits dug by archaeologists. Adrenaline propelled them forward, making them forget about fear and fatigue. The guards, blinded by the dust and confused by the sudden attack, hesitated for a moment, trying to recover and orient themselves. But then, cursing everything in the world, they rushed into the chase, their steps echoing in the empty corridors.

Alexander ran, gasping for air, his lungs burned as if boiling water was splashing in them. His heart was pounding at a frantic rate, as if trying to break out of his chest. He did not see where he was running, orienting himself only on the vague silhouettes of Amir and David, looming ahead. He completely trusted them, knowing that they were leading him to salvation. Behind him, he could hear the shouts of the guards, their angry screams and the thud of approaching footsteps drove them forward, not allowing them to stop for a second.

Suddenly, Amir sharply turned into a narrow passage, which turned out to be a dead end. A wall blocked their path, leaving no chance for further escape.

«What now?» Alexander asked, gasping for air, feeling despair beginning to grip him. He didn’t understand why Amir had brought them to this dead end, was it the end?

«There’s a secret passage here,» David replied, not losing his composure. He ran his palms over the rough stone wall, carefully feeling every protrusion, every crack. «I know this place. My grandfather told me legends about these catacombs, about secret passages leading to freedom.»

His fingers felt something different from the rest of the wall’s surface. He pressed on a barely noticeable button, and a narrow gap opened in the wall with a quiet creak, wide enough to squeeze through.

«Faster!» Amir commanded, urging Alexander. «We don’t have time! They’ll be here soon!»

One by one, they squeezed through the opening and found themselves in a narrow, dark tunnel. David closed the hidden door behind them, and they were left in complete silence, broken only by their heavy breathing. Behind the hidden door, the shouts and stomping of the guards could still be heard, but they were safe, at least for the moment.

«Where are we?» Alexander whispered, trying not to raise his voice. He looked around, but nothing could be seen in the pitch darkness of the tunnel. A feeling of disorientation and fear paralyzed his movements.

«In an ancient aqueduct,» David replied, his voice sounding muffled but confident. «It was built centuries ago to supply the city with water. It leads to an exit from under the Temple Mount, to a safe place.»