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Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Jerusalem

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a historical site in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem. From the courtyard of the church, the Immovable Ladder can be seen. This ladder is mentioned from the 18th century and it means that no cleric of the six ecumenical Christian orders may move or alter any property without the consent of the other five orders.

The Stone of Anointing

The Stone of Anointing is a stone where Jesus’s body is said to have been anointed before burial. Jesus’s body was prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea here. There are few mosaics in the area, close to the Stone of Anointing. One of them depicts that Christ’s body is taken off the cross. Another one shows, that Jesus body is covered in white cloth and taken away for burial.

Main facade of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Old City of Jerusalem
Main facade of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Old City of Jerusalem
Entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Kanissat al Qi'yama in Arabic) from the courtyard
The Immovable Ladder at the entrance of the Holy Sepulchre Church
This mosaic depicts that Christ's body is taken off the cross
This mosaic depicts that Christ's body is taken off the cross
Here, Jesus body is covered in white cloth and taken away for burial
Pilgrims are touching the Stone of Anointing
Pilgrims are touching the Stone of Anointing
This is the stone where Jesus's body is said to have been anointed before burial
Small lanterns and candles hanging above the Stone of Anointing - Church of Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem
Another view of the Stone of Anointing
Another view of the Stone of Anointing
A small Armenian shrine is West to the Anointing Stone
A small Armenian shrine is West to the Anointing Stone

Aedicule

The tomb of Jesus is located in the center of the hall, within the structure called Aedicule.  In 1099, the Crusaders occupied Jerusalem. The construction of a much larger church was immediately begun and continued for thirty years. As part of this building, they constructed one building, which would connect the existing buildings and cover all of the chapels in the surrounding areas, as well as covering the space which had been a courtyard between the tomb and Golgotha. 

It is this building which stands today over the Holy Sites. In 1555 the Aedicule was rebuilt from its foundation by Boniface of Ragusa, Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land. The entrance to he first chamber it is also called “Chapel of the Angel”. On the east side opposite the Rotunda is the Crusader structure housing the main altar of the Church.

Entrance to he first chamber - Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Entrance to he first chamber - Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Facade of the Chapel of the Angel
Ceiling of the Aedicule
Aedicule
Supporting columns of the Aedicule
Supporting columns of the Aedicule
Huge candles at the front of the first chamber of the tomb
Entering through the small door of the first chamber
Entering through the small door of the first chamber
A Crusader structure to the opposite side, housing the main altar of the church

Calvary or Golgotha)

Historically, Golgotha was a skull shape hill where Crucifixion had taken place. Most historians agrre that it was a hillock called Gordon’s Calvary just north of the Damascus Gate. There are Stairs which lead to the Calvary (Golgotha), traditionally regarded as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion. Inside a box, a section of a stone column is on display. According to tradition, Jesus was tied up to this pole. 

Along the walls of this wide staircase leading to the St. Helen Chapel is medieval graffiti of crosses.

Stairs leading to the Calvary (Golgotha) - Church of the Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem
The Rock of Calvary (12th Station of the Cross) where cross was raised
The Rock of Calvary (12th Station of the Cross) where cross was raised
Calvary seen here in the the Chapel of Adam
Calvary seen here in the the Chapel of Adam
In this glass box, is a section of a stone column. According to tradition, Jesus was tied up to the pole
In this glass box, is a section of a stone column. According to tradition, Jesus was tied up to the pole
Original rock is shown here inside a glass
Original rock is shown here inside a glass
Golgotha Rock - Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Golgotha Rock - Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Greek Derision Chapel is on the eastern side of the Church
The Greek Derision Chapel is on the eastern side of the Church
Medieval graffiti of crosses on a wall
Medieval graffiti of crosses on a wall
St. Helen Chapel inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
St. Helen Chapel inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
Prayer time in Calvary and representatives of different Christian Orders gather here
Prayer time in Calvary and representatives of different Christian Orders gather here
Exiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre through its main courtyard
Exiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre through its main courtyard