St. John the Baptist Monasteryدير مار يوحنا مقطوع الراسΙερά Μονή Ιωάννου του Προδρόμου και Βαπτιστου

Nestled within the Muristan area of the Old City’s Christian Quarter is what many believe to be the oldest church standing in Jerusalem, the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint John the Baptist. Its prominent silver dome rises up from an unassuming courtyard just south of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Walking along  the  Christian  Quarter  Road  hidden  amongst  the  many  shops  and restaurants, a relief of the head of Saint John the Baptist and a sign reading “Prodromos,” meaning “forerunner,” mark the courtyard entrance. A church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist is believed to have stood on this spot since at least 5th century. The long Christian history of the location stems from the tradition that the head of Saint John the Baptist, a holy relic, was housed in the original church. According to tradition, after the discovery of the relics of Saint John the Baptist in the 4th century, they were brought to Jerusalem, where Empress Eudokia had the  Church  of  Saint  John  the  Baptist  built  to  hold  them.  This  church  was destroyed in 614 in the Persian conquest, then rebuilt. During the Crusader period, the church, which lay in disrepair, was rebuilt over the original Byzantine era church, which had sunken below the ground level over time. The remains of the Byzantine church are still preserved today, seven meters under the modern church building, with access via a stairway. The Crusader church became a center for the Knights Hospitallers. At some point in the 15th century during Ottoman rule, the church was put in the hands of the Greek Orthodox Church and remains under their administration today. The church was renovated again in 1839, at which point the two bell towers seen today were added. In the Byzantine crypt, a reliquary that may have once held John the Baptist’s head was uncovered along with many holy relics, including what is believed to be a piece of John the Baptist’s skull. Although  it  has  undergone  many  renovations  and  restorations  throughout history, the church retains much of its original shape and style. The modern church includes a long narthex, or closed entry porch, and three apses. This layout follows the shape of the original Byzantine era church, which can be seen in the crypt. Stairs lead down to the remains of this lower church where the remains of the Crusader and Byzantine era structures are preserved. In the current church, which sits at street level, the interior is richly adorned with elaborate paintings and icons depicting Biblical scenes, including the beheading of Saint John the Baptist, and figures from Christianity. The most significant of these is an ornamented icon of Saint John the Baptist containing fragments of his skull recovered from the crypt. The church is also known for its elaborate green and gold iconostasis  installed in 1853, which is meant to be the largest  in Jerusalem. The Church of Saint John the Baptist in the Old city is a beautiful representation of Christianity in Holy Land. From its architecture and ornamentation to its long history as a spiritual center in the city, this is a must-see for anyone exploring Christianity in Jerusalem. The church is not generally open to the public, however arrangements to visit can be made with the Greek Orthodox Church and are highly recommended.