The Church of The Holy Sepulchre

Nestled in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem is arguably the holiest site in Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This iconic place of pilgrimage is believed  to  encompass  the  sites  of  Jesus  Christ’s  crucifixion,  burial,  and resurrection. Since its construction, the Holy Sepulchre Church has gone through periods of destruction   and   reconstruction   that   have   created   a   complex   tapestry encompassing layers of history and culture that can still be seen today. During the period of Roman rule in the 2nd century, when Jerusalem was known as Aelia Capitolina, the site where the church now stands was a temple dedicated to the goddess Venus. In the 4th century, during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, is said to have discovered the remains of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, referred to as the “True Cross” on the site. It was then that Constantine ordered the temple destroyed and the Holy Sepulchre Church was first built and its reverence in the Christian tradition began. Throughout history it has gone through periods of destruction, including during the Persian conquest in 614CE, the earthquake of 746CE, and in  1004CE  by  the  Fatimid  caliph  al-Hakim  bi-Amr  Allah,  but  it  has  always subsequently been rebuilt. It was during restoration by the Crusaders in the mid-12th century that the Church was given the form that it retains today. Since  that  time,  frequent  restoration  and  renovation  have  maintained  the church. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is home to more than thirty chapels and altars, including those marking the last four Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa. The entrance to the church is through a courtyard, known as the parvis,  which  is  surrounded  by  other  structures  housing  monasteries  and chapels of many different Christian denominations. On the south side of the parvis  are  the  large  wooden  doors  that  lead  into  the  Church  of  the  Holy Sepulchre. Since at least the 12th century, but possibly as far back as the 7th century, the keys to these doors were entrusted to descendants of the Muslim Nuseibeh family who continue to be responsible for opening and closing the church. Just inside the entrance a stairway on the right leads up to the site of the crucifixion, known as Calvary of Golgotha. Straight in front of the entrance is  the  Stone  of  the Anointing  which marks the  spot  that Jesus’s  body  was prepared for burial. Continuing further into the church to the left, visitors will enter into the Byzantine-style domed rotunda with the Aedicule standing at its center. This beautifully adorned shrine encloses the tomb of Jesus and stands as an honored marker of the burial and resurrection. Other places of interest within the church include the Catholicon, or main area of worship, featuring "stunning Byzantine architecture and magnificent religious artwork. The Chapel of the Finding of the Cross is another highlight, commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena. Uniquely, the administration of the Holy Sepulchre Church is shared between different Christian denominations. The primary denominations with a presence in the church are the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Apostolic Churches. Additionally, the Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Syriac Orthodox   Churches   also   have   smaller   representations.   The   complex arrangement, known as the ""Status Quo,"" which dates back to the 18th century and was made permanent in 1852, dictates the rights and responsibilities of each  denomination  in  managing  and  maintaining  the  church.  Under  this agreement, areas and objects within the church are designated for specific denominations,  ensuring  a  delicate  balance  and  preventing  conflicts  over control. The most famous symbol of this agreement is the ‘unmovable ladder,’ which has sat on a ledge above the entrance to the church since the 18th century.  Despite occasional  disputes,  the denominations  have cooperatively upheld this arrangement, allowing them to worship and share in the spiritual significance of the Holy Sepulchre. For those seeking an understanding of Christianity in Jerusalem and how it fits into the larger fabric of Jerusalemite history and culture, there is no better place to visit than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church is open daily, although there may be closures dependent on the prayer services of the many different denominations. Whether for religious, historical, or cultural reasons, a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is truly unforgettable."