Holy Sepulchre

Peregrine
Peregrine
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4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
4
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Church of the Holy Sepulcre

  • June 21, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Depster from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
The Church of the Holy Sepulcre is an extremely interesting spot. According to religous tradition, it is the site of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A lot of American Christians (particularly those unfamiliar with Orthodox churches) have trouble in this site because it is not at all what they expected, but it has a certain ambience. Part of the intrigue is that it is owned by 8 different churches and each church has its own section (some only made it to the roof) It is very dark, has amazing murals, and after visiting it I began asking a lot of questions about the Orthodox church. The biggest thing to remember is that this church has chosen this way to honor Jesus Christ even if it isn't the way you might.

One thing to consider- if you were told to memorialize a field somewhere in middle America, what would you do?

From journal Jerusalem: Semester Abroad

Editor Pick

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  • May 7, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by HobWahid from Damascus, Syria
Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on what is one of the holiest sites for Christians, is a building that has as many critics as it does admirers. Before I entered the Church, I had read in many guidebooks, and heard from others, that the church is not spectacular and not to get my hopes up. So I entered with much lowered expectations, but as soon as I entered I was absolutely blown away, and ended up leaving with a much deeper connection to my faith than I could have ever imagined.

From the outside, the Church is hardly impressive. It is squeezed in between a number of other buildings, and the entrance is hardly the grand entranceway that you find on the likes of the other great cathedrals of the world, but then again, that is where some of the charm lies. Immediately upon entering you are greeted by the supposed stone upon Jesus had his anointment before burial, actually you are first greeted by a man offering his services as a guide, but you can just move past him. Behind the stone lies a lovely fresco. Moving to the left of the stone you are greeted by the Armenian chapel and the Three Maries Altar. As you pass by the altar, the Church begins to open up and before you appears the Tomb Monument, the Tomb of Jesus. A giant ornate wooden kiosk in the middle of the Church houses the Tomb of Jesus, which you can enter, only four at a time, so you may have to wait your turn. The tomb is a surprisingly powerful place, surrounded by numerous benches upon which worshipers pray in silent and nuns are brought to tears. Moving on through the cavernous chapel you will pass by numerous naves and chapels built by various Christian sects. In the very back down a long set of candlelit stone stairs lies the Church of St. Helena and the Church of the Mocking, probably the most peaceful part of the complex, the perfect place for some self reflection. Heading back towards the entrance lies the most spectacular part of the Church, the Cavalry, an elevated platform that houses two chapels, the Chapel of Cavalry, which marks the spot where Jesus was nailed to the cross and the Greek Chapel, which marks the spot where he was crucified. These two chapels are by far the most spiritual part of the Church and are always filled with worshipers sitting in somber silence.

Is it a beautiful commemoration of the Christian faith or a monstrosity? You will have to decide for yourself, but you still cannot deny that the place does hold a certain religious aura that is both powerful and comforting.

From journal Jerusalem and the West Bank

Editor Pick

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  • July 30, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Amanda from London, United Kingdom
Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Jerusalem has no shortage of religious sites, but the Church of the Sepulchre is regarded as the most important Christian location. It is within this deceptively large structure that the last five stations of the cross lie and where Jesus was put to death. The first church was built on the site by the Roman emperor Constantine in 348 AD. The church was destroyed and rebuilt several times but the structure which exists today was built by the Crusaders in 1099.

The small entrance conceals the true size of the church , and as you enter, the vast 11metre high Rotunda quickly absorbs you in it's spacious and cool atmosphere. Here you will find groups of pilgrims from around the globe creating a cacophony of prayers in numerous languages and of countless Christian denominations. But rather than the noise and bustle detracting, it adds to the Church's special atmosphere as the centre of Christendom. The religious conviction of the pilgrims who have made the journey here for thousands of years, often in the face of extreme hardship and danger, creates a thick air of spirituality which lingers like the incense and the echoes of pilgrims' prayers.

The Church, like many sites in Jerusalem is best appreciated after a number of visits at different times of day. Early in the morning, before the hoards arrive, you can find solace in the Church's quiet alcoves, and watch the beams of sunlight shine through the windows of the Rotunda, and strike the Holy Sepulchre itself in the middle. Later in the day, it best to move up to one of the balconies and watch the devotees as they make the final steps of their pilgrimage and finally rest with their heads against the stone of the Unction, in floods of tears. And in the evening too, the Church has its own distinct character as a weary host who must sleep so as to be fresh and ready for his guests the next day.

From journal Jerusalem, the golden city

Editor Pick

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  • September 20, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Peregrine from , New Mexico
The Via Dolorosa ends here, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Like most of the Old City, it is contained in tight quarters with a small courtyard in front and the neighboring buildings, all built of stone, crowd around. Above us, the dome of the church next to the spire of a minaret, the call to prayer (recorded, of course) echoing through the ancient alley ways. Inside the church, though the lines of division are not visible, the place has been divvied up among several Christian sects who jealously guard their bit of space.

This spot, the highest in the Old City, has been a sacred site since the Romans built their temple to Venus, and there have been several churches here, beginning with the one Constantine put up, followed by another built by the Crusaders. Its been added onto since then, but it remains a square Gothic creation with cavernous ceilings and massive columns holding it up.

The crush of humanity inside is as bad as in the suq. There seems to be a steady stream of pilgrims being herded up the first flight of stairs to the final Stations of the Cross. Here, Christ was nailed to the cross; here the cross was set in the stone (there are three indentations in a large stone). Herded down another set of stairs, past the slab of rock where His body was washed and, finally, a few feet away, the Holy Sepulchre itself. Everything is crusted in gold and tapestries.

The commercialism and the pat spiel given by rote got to us. That, and the crush of people, so we wandered off toward the back of the church. Here, we found ourselves in cool, quiet, dimly lit corridors, opening onto tiny chapels, our feet treading stones laid during the Crusades. You could smell the centuries and the dampness in the stones and there was blessed silence. We were alone except for a young nun slowly stopping to kiss each of the small shrines along the wall. There were no tourists, just the peace to sit and contemplate where you were, and, perhaps, who you were.

From journal Jerusalem: Where the Past Is Present

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