Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Overview

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, built over the place where Christian tradition holds that Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. It is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Christianity and an active place of worship. The church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Present

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is an active site of Christian worship and one of the principal destinations of Christian pilgrimage. Daily liturgies are held by the communities that share the building. Custody is divided among six Christian churches under an arrangement known as the Status Quo, fixed in the mid-19th century, which sets out each community's rights to specific chapels, altars, and hours of worship. The three major custodians are the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Roman Catholic Church (represented by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land), and the Armenian Apostolic Church; the Coptic Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches hold smaller shares. By long-standing arrangement, two Muslim families have managed the church's keys for centuries, a role maintained to avoid disputes among the Christian communities.

Religious Significance

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is revered as one of the holiest sites in Christianity. According to Christian tradition it was built over the locations of the crucifixion of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity, at Golgotha, and his burial and resurrection three days later. The church is in main focus during Holy Week, the period before Easter, when Christians commemorate Jesus's death and resurrection.

History & Structure

The first major church complex was built under Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, after the site was identified in Christian tradition as the place of Jesus's crucifixion and burial. The church was consecrated in 335 CE. The complex was damaged and rebuilt several times throughout the centuries, and reshaped into a single connected church in the 12th century. The Stone of Anointing at the main entrance is traditionally revered as the spot where Jesus's body was prepared for burial. Inside the church a marble shrine, the Aedicule, encloses Jesus's tomb. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is part of the Old City of Jerusalem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Resources

• Official website: Church of the Holy Sepulchre