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 Inside the Church by mafi_moya
It was built in 335 by Emperor Constantine, and added to by the Crusaders, on the site where it is believed Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. As befitting a church with so many influences, the architecture and design inside differs at every turn. It's dark and garishly decorated with lots of gold and rich colours, and very very sombre. I can't say it was a particularly welcoming or uplifting church, but I found its eerie and mysterious atmosphere and shadowy corners fascinating.
At various times throughout the day, the priests and monks carry out their own ceremonies and the church often echoes with the sound of monastic hymns. Leave a Comment
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 Unction Stone by jadedmuse
The last time I was in Jerusalem was in December of 2004 however, and to my delight there were few tourists at that time and I was able to better appreciate the significance of this church, which is widely held to be built upon the site where Jesus was crucified, buried and was resurrected. If you're wondering (like I was the first time around) how it can be that a Jew is buried inside the walls of the city, remember - the perimeter of the Old City has changed countless times.
Back in the days of Jesus Christ, this very site was actually a rock quarry just outside the city walls. As with other Christian holy shrines and churches, this too was built under the mandate of the Emperor Constantine's mother, Helena. Leave a Comment Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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 by jadedmuse
When you get inside, you'll find what is considered to be the stone upon which Christ was laid out inside the burial chamber. Of course it's since been covered by a slab of marble which is to protect the holy stone from being vandalized with graffiti or chipped at by some fanatic.
Interestingly enough, on the other side of this wooden structure that holds the sepulchre, are the Copts who claim part of the tomb and guard it lovingly. I’ve visited here three times over a six year span and have seen this same priest twice, which is actually not unusual. It is after all, a very small and insular world there. Anyways it’s tradition to both leave a small donation for the Copts (the poorest and smallest of the Christian faiths, and also one of the very oldest) after kneeling down and kissing the wall of the tomb. Leave a Comment Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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 by jadedmuseLeave a Comment Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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 by jadedmuse
You may enjoy the dim candlelight feel to it as much as I do, especially if you take the time to explore around the rotunda, including down the stairs into the basement area. If you don't have a guidebook with you, it may be worthwhile negotiate an ad hoc "guide" (the kind that are loitering around the outside of the church gates)...there's got to be some irony in having a Muslim give you the tour of a lifetime through Christianity's most important holy site. Leave a Comment Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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 View from a roof by ophiro
Inside you church you will find the tomb of Jesus and the stone they put his body when they cleaned him.
Leave a Comment Directions: Old City Jerusalem in the christian quarter
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As one can expect from a church of such importance to all Christians, this is a very impressive site. The sad fact about the church's condition, however, is that it is divided into several parts belonging to different Christian denominations, and the struggle of power among them makes every work of rennovation or improvement almost impossible.
In the photo of the church's entrance you may notice a ladder (leading nowhere) in the upper part of the facade. It has been there for decades, owing to the fact that no one sect dares make any changes, fearing the response of the other sects.
The Greek Orthodox church is the most powerful in the Church of Holy Sepulchre, followed by the Armenian Church, the Catholic Church and the Coptic Church. The Ethiopian Church has no part or parcel in the church itself, but occupies its roof.
Most of what you see today was erected by the Crusaders (about 900 years ago). Very few earlier, Byzantine features have survived.
A guided tour of the church is a must in order to see and appreciate all its different sections: you climb the stairs to Golgaltha, visit the 10th to 13th stations of the cross and the site of crucifixion.
You then descend again to the entrance level, where the highlight is the Holy Sepulchre itself; expect a long queue to enter.
The Catholicon, also on the ground floor, boasts an elegant dome and "the navel of the world".
Another popular site near the entrance is a marble slab where Jesus's body was treated and purified prior to his burial. Beautiful oil containers belonging to the different Christian denominations drip oil onto the slab.
On a still lower level you descend to St. Helen's Chapel, where according to tradition the original cross was discovered by St. Helen.
Don't forget to climb to the roof: the area occupied by the Ethiopian monks looks more like an Ethiopian village, and their church is a good example of the Monophysitic church style. Address: At the end of the Via Dolorosa.Directions: Christian Quarter, Old City of Jerusalem
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At the heart of the Old City, this church is also at the heart of the Christian faith. When you enter the church, you can almost feel how ancient it is, and how many people have come to this place to worship over the centuries.
Here are some of the things you will see in the church:
Stone of Unction: This is right at the main entrance of the church. People pray here as this is meant to be the stone on which Jesus' body was anointed before his burial.
Tomb monument: Turn left from the stone of unction and you will get to the actual place where Jesus was said to have been buried (and resurrected from). Normally, there is a queue to get into the tiny space.
Coptic chapel: Walk around the tomb monument and you will see a tiny chapel at its other end. This is where the head of Jesus was rested in the grave. One of the examples of the rivalries between the many Christian groups who share the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Chapels around the tomb monument: these small chapels belong to different Christian confessions.
The Prison of Christ: Turn to the right from the tomb monument and you will come to a small chamber. This is said to have been the prison of Christ.
Chapel of St Helena: St Helena , the mother of Emperor Constantine, decided to build a church at this very place when she was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Chapel of the Discovery of the Cross: Stairs are leading down to this chapel from the chapel of St Helena.
Calvary: To the right of the main entrance of the church. This is the hill on which the cross was erected. Walk up the stairs to the chapel.
Of course there is so much more to see here!
Being one of the major tourist attractions in Jerusalem, this place draws the crowds at all time. But I once came here at 8am in the morning and had the place almost to myself, apart from a few monks and a small Polish tour group. It was amazing. So, in a nutshell, make sure you get there early!
Admission: free Leave a Comment Address: Old CityDirections: Old City
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 Inside the cript by Carmela71
You will find penitents (and tourist) waiting to enter. I was the first one to enter, when I saw a women inside cleaning the tomb and crying very affectionate (It was a little scary)
Whether this is or not the original place, we will leave it to the experts, But I am sure it is difficult to mark after so long and so little information.
By the way I do not like photos inside churches, as I found it very inadequate for the practises, but as I also founded very tourist orientated, and they were complaining about Tal dressed (well a 14 years old, should not be treated like that, the clothes do not make you better person), I did not complain when Stace took the photo.
Leave a Comment Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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 Dome of Rotonda by Carmela71
We got to the church walking through the Jaffa Gate and the Christian quarter (visiting on our way the Western Wall). I was not able to difference the Armenian and Christian quarters during our walk through the Zoco.
Leave a Comment Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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