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.

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.

The Holy Sepulchre under the large dome of the church.

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.

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.

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.

We are now on top of Golgotha also called the hill of Calvary. The area is packed, dark and covered with every kind of decorations you can think of. It is not a scene you would see in your typical American Christian Church. I am waiting to get to the altar that sits on top of the square hole that Jesus cross was placed in. The hole is about two feet deep and craved into solid rock.

Some of the ornaments and candles that hang above the altar. Very eastern orthodox in style.

Why we are all up here, to put our hand in the hole.

One of our group putting her hand in the hole. I had just done the same thing. For me, it was like being baptized. I had the very strange and wonderful experience of having my hand float out of the hole. It felt very light and just seem to float upward. No one else seemed to have this experience. I did.

The ornaments above the front entrance to the Holy Sepulchre.

A priest calling for the next four people to enter the Holy Sepulchre. The Holy Sepulchre is so small only four people can enter the small room that holds the last two known pieces of the tomb of Jesus.

The Stone of the Anointing believed to be the spot where Jesus' body was prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea. The stone is a few feet from the church front door.