Site of Christ's Tomb

Site of the Tomb of Christ
"But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay." - Matthew 28:5-6

Pilgrims from every nation and tradition pray at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.Six Christian groups occupy the church and offer religious services and liturgies - Latin Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Armenians, Syrians, Copts, and Ethiopians.

Orthodox Liturgy of the Holy Fire

The Aedicule built over the tomb

What did the original tomb look like?

The Garden Tomb, located in East Jerusalem, contains an actual ancient rock-cut tomb, first noticed in 1860. It was originally sealed with a round stone.

Brief history of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is built over the remains of Golgatha, also called Calvary, the hill just outside of Jerusalem where the Romans crucified Jesus and the location of the tomb which was very close to Golgatha where the body of Jesus was laid. After Jesus was buried, the tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers. Jesus, rose on the third day, just as he had prophesied, and appeared to his disciples.

floor plan of 4th century church

The first Christian community gathered here for worship until 66 AD when the Romans beseiged Jerusalem and destroyed it in 70 AD. The emperor Hadrian in 135 built a pagan shrine over the spot. Constantine built the first church, called "Anastasis" or "Church of the Resurrection" in 326 A.D. This church was destroyed by the Persians in 614. It was immediately rebuilt. The church was destroyed by the Turks in 1009. The church was rebuilt by the Crusaders in 1149 over the remains which still contain some portions of the original 4th century church.

See | Holy Week in Jerusalem | Church of the Holy Sepulchre |