Seeing seven gilded onion domes on Mount of Olives is initially surprising. But after spending time in Jerusalem, you begin to appreciate how important the city is to so many religions. The Russian Orthodox church was commissioned by Alexander III of Russia (reign 1881 – 1894) and completed in 1888. A convent was founded in 1936. Both are dedicated to Mary Magdalene. She was the constant travel companion of Jesus and considered by some as his only female and most beloved apostle. The Church of Mary Magdalene contains the bodies of two Russian saints: Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Sister Barbara Yakovleva.
