Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Originally built by the mother of Emperor Constantine in 330 A.D., the Church of the Holy Sepulcher commemorates the hill of crucifixion and the tomb of Christ’s burial. Since that time Christians have preserved this as the site of Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.

Originally the area was a quarry and a cemetery during the time of Jesus and was located outside the city walls of Jerusalem. Today the Holy Sepulchre is in the heart of the Christian quarter in the Old City. It is also considered as a spiritual center for Christians and Roman Catholics and several Orthodox churches share the complex.

The word sepulcher is a Latin word which means "grave" or "tomb." The term "Holy Sepulcher" refers to the tomb of Jesus Christ. Orthodox Christians call this the "Church of the Resurrection."

Photo: Stone of the anointing. Upon entering the church, you will see the the place where Christ's body was laid down after being removed from the crucifix and prepared for burial. He was anointed and wrapped in shrouds as the Jews customarily prepared their dead for burial at the time. The lamps that hang over the stone were contributed by Armenians, Copts, Greeks and Latins. We watched as people knelt down and kissed the stone and prayed. The church was extremely crowded and therefore difficult to take photos.

Photo: At the right of the photo is the Edicule (tomb where Jesus was buried). Only one person at a time is allowed to go inside and there were so many people waiting, we did not have the time to go in. We plan to go back earlier in the day when it isn't so crowded with tourists.

Inside the church is the place where the cross was placed.

There are separate Roman and Greek Orthodox chapels at the Rock of Calvary which demonstrate the division that exists between the various branches of Christianity in the Church. Because the churches were (and still are) so territorial, an agreement was made in 1853 called the "Statue Quo". Each group was assigned certain areas of the church to maintain (such as sweeping the steps, holding religious services and certain days and times to fulfill them.)

The upper area of the church houses Calvary and Golgotha and where the 11th, 12th and 13th stations of the cross is located. Photo: Hallway. When Christians visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the three most important areas within the church are 1) Rock of Calvary where Jesus was crucified, 2)the Stone of Anointing where Jesus was anointed for buriel, and 3) The Edicule (tomb of where Jesus was buried.)

An interesting side note is that two Muslim families were assigned the keys to the entrance in the effort to keep peace between the Christian churches. In 1187 AD, the responsibilities of the entrance was divided between two Muslim families. The Joudeh family keeps the key and brings it twice a day -- once to open the door and once to lock it. The Nuseibeh family actually inserts the key to open and lock the door each day. The same two Muslim families still perform these duties to this day.

Photo: Mass was being held by the Armenian Orthodox church.

Within the church proper are the last four Stations of the Via Dolorosa, representing the final episodes of Jesus' Passion

Photo: Altar.

Photo: Entrance to the Edicule which contains the tomb.

Photo: This photo (taken from the web) shows the Edicule from above. The majority of Christians believe that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the actual place of Golgatha, the anointing and the burial place of Christ. However, others believe the actual site is just outside the city walls on the road to Damascus at the Garden Tomb which was posted earlier in this blog. The place is not as important as the fact that Jesus died and was resurrected.

Akko - Ptolemais

Akko is one of the oldest inhabited sites in the world and has functioned as an important port during Canaanite, Old Testament, Roman, New Testament and Crusader eras. The city occupies an important location as it sits on the coast of the Mediterranean and links the waterways and commercial activities. Photo: Mosque of Ahmed Pasha al-Jazzar. This mosque used marble from Herod's palace in Caesarea. vv Akko is located near Haifa and provides one of the best natural harbors along Palestine's Mediterranean cost.

The name Akko comes from a Greek word that means "healing" or "cure." The Crusaders in the 12th century called it Jean d'Acre. Akko is the holiest city of the Bahá'í Faith and therefore gets many Baha'i pilgrims. It is a mixed city that includes Jews, Muslims, Christians and Baha'is.

From the Persian through the Roman eras, it was Palestine's main port. Herod (37 BC) and Vespasian (AD 70) launcehd their conquests from here. Paul stayed with Christians "brethen" in Ptolemais (Acts 21:7) on his way to Jerusalem just before being arrested. When it was captured by the Crusaders (1104), Akko became the Crusader capital and fortresses were built. Today the facility functions as a museum.

The inscription on this says: "On this site in the 12-13th century, towered the fortress of the Order of the Knights of the hospital of Saint John who were based in Akko until the Muslim conquest in 1291. Over the ruins of the fortress which was reconstructed by the Ottoman Turks in the 17th and 18th centuries, was built the Citadel (fortress) and Palace of the Governors of Akko. In the mid-19th century, the Ottoman authorities added here a large prison. Under the British Administration (1918 - 1948), these buildings served as government offices and were the largest prison in Palestine. Among those incarcerated were also the fighters of the Jewish underground. After the establishing of the state of Israel until 1985, part of the building complex housed as a mental hospital.

Photo: Prison Hall.

Photo: Roman glass jars found in the excavation.

Photo: Light show on wall.

Photo: As we walked through this structure, there was a life size light show of moving figures on the wall.

Beautiful murals were painted on the walls.

Photo: Dylan, JC student.

Photo: Roman pottery.

Photo: Dining hall explanation.

Photo: Arches in dining hall.

Photo: Dining hall.

An art show was on display.

Photo: Glass blower.

Photo: Excavation.

Photo: Dr. Muhlestein lecturing.

Photo: Students were challenged to a dueling match with Dr. Muhlestein. He surprised everyone with his ability to fence and we learned later he took a fencing class in college.

Photo: JT Carden, JC student.

Photo: Latrines. The draining system in the compound was highly advanced and was used to empty rain water in the winter and to drain sewage from the entire compound. Thirty five stone-made seats were found in the latrine hall arranged in four rows. Lime was scattered on the floor and the seats drained into a large hall of similar size that was built below them and paved with stone. Those using the latrines attended to their personal hygiene by using grass and straw. Additional seats were found in the floor above; these were also drained through pipes that had been installed in the walls and descended to the lower hall.

Photo: Latrines.

Photo: Toilet seats.

We walked outside and through some markets on our way to see the Mediterranean Sea.

Photo: Dr. Whitchurch and students in the market.

Photo: There are always lots of sweets for sale at the markets.

Photo: Fresh fish at the market.

Photo: Market at Akko. Look closely and you will see the pot pipes used for smoking.

Photo: Woodshop.

Photo: Market scene.

Photo: Mediterranean Sea and the end of another wonderful day in Israel!