Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Anastasis)

Highlights

The little and very modest wooden ladder standing outside the entrance of the church is very telling of the friction between the various church communities residing inside the Holy Sepulchre today. The ladder has been in that spot since the 19th Century when it was decided that the status quo of the holy site would be upheld for the future. When the agreement was made the ladder was left outside and has become a symbol of the rigid disagreements between the church denominations raging for centuries.

Background Information

Today's Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built by the Crusaders, but the site has been connected to Jesus' crucifixion and burial since the 4th Century when Queen Helena built the first church there. The various Christian structures at the site have been destroyed or covered by pagan symbols several times in history but always re-claimed by Christians as a result of the very strong tradition of this actually being the site of Jesus' death, something most archaeologists agree upon. Today the inside of the church is divided into areas according to the various denominations practicing there.

Travelujah Tips

The church is open daily free of charge. Modest dress code recommended.

Nearby Places of Interest

The Old City, the Western Wall, Jaffa Gate

Articles

Hours of Operation

Useful Links

http://www.bibleplaces.com/holysepulcher.htm

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-church-of-holy-sepulchre.htm