Holy Sepulchre
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1600.jpg
This is the front of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The original building built by Emperor Constantine was destroyed by Muslims in 1009. This building is a rebuilding project completed in 1048 by Constantine IX Monomachos and Patriarch Nicephorus of Constantinople. Despite the Byzantines spending vast sums on the project, a total replacement of the original Constantine Basilica was far beyond available resources. The new construction was concentrated on the rotunda and its surrounding buildings. The great basilica remained in ruins. Come take a walk with me through one of the most bizarre buildings I have ever walked in. The interior of the church is governed by many different groups that can lead to conflict. A fight broke out between sects who run the church a week after we were in this church. I almost saw a fight break out while I was waiting in line to enter the small chapel of the tomb of Jesus.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1523.jpg
This is the chapel we descended through to get to the front door of the Church. We can see the steps to the left of the altar. There was a monk there to attend to the chapel and take donations. We exited through a door at the back of the chapel and through another door out into the courtyard and the front door of the church. The present church was reconstructed in 1048.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1528.jpg
This is what I saw about 50 yards inside the front door. On the left is the front door of the chapel of the Holy Sepulchre that holds the remaining pieces of the tomb of Jesus. All kinds of people in all kinds of dress are crowding around trying to get inside the chapel.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1530_1.jpg
This is the large dome of the church. It is called the Rotunda of the Anastasis. Bneath the dome is The Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre itself. We see here the shadow of the Holy Sepulchre.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1534.jpg
The Holy Sepulchre under the large dome of the church.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1538.jpg
A peek into the chapel of Mary Magdalene. This chapel is adjacent to the Holy Sepulchre.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1540.jpg
A very catholic looking altar. I didn't take any notes on this one and I can't find anything so far on the internet.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1544.jpg
In the north-east side of the complex there is The Prison of Christ, where it is believed Jesus was held. The emblem on the floor is just in front of the "Prison of Christ".
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1545_1_1.jpg
In the north-east side of the complex there is The Prison of Christ, where it is believed Jesus was held. This is a look inside the Prison, now a small area for prayer with a small altar.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1546.jpg
A look up at the arches above Golgotha, it was a very pretty and light view with so much of the rest of the church being dark.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1549.jpg
Between the first two chapels are stairs descending to The Chapel of St. Helena, belonging to the Armenians. The chapel is named after the mother of Emperor Constantine. From there, another set of 42 stairs leads down to the Roman Catholic Chapel of the Invention of the Holy Cross, believed to be the place where the True Cross was found. The Romans kept a pile of crosses at this location. Crucifixion was not uncommon in Roman occupied Jerusalem.
01-NOV-2008
IMG_1553.jpg
There are many murals in the church. This is near the steps that lead up to Golgotha. The mural depicts the crucifixion of Christ.
click on thumbnails for full image