Introduction to Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Church of the Resurrection or Church of the Anastasis also known as the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This church is located within the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Church holds an important position in Christianity. It comprises two holiest places of Christianity: one is where Jesus of Nazareth was crucified “Golgotha” in Greek and “Calvary” in Latin.

The other is Jesus empty tomb where he is said to be buried and resurrected. This holy place is from where Christianity was originated. This Church was built in the fourth century and ever since it has been a destination for Christian Pilgrimage. Being a traditional sight of Jesus Resurrection and hence its Greek name the Church of Anastasias (resurrection).

The building and interior of the Church

The tomb of Christ is enclosed by a shrine known as the Aedicule. The control of Church is shared among different sects of Christianity and other secular entities. The arrangement is really complex and unchanged for 160 years. The key denominations sharing property over parts of the Church are Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic. Ethiopian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox share the property in a less significant degree. Whereas the Protestants have no permanent presence in the Church of Holy Sepulcher.

The Immoveable ladder

The church has a famous ladder that is made of cedar wood. In 1728 it was brought in Church from Lebanon and is present in that location ever since. After the 1757 status quo of Land sites, it was temporarily moved on two occasions but was placed back on its original position. According to the Status quo agreement, no cleric among the six clerics of universal order is allowed to alter, move or rearrange any property of Church without the consent of other five clerics.   The ladder since 1757 status quo of Land sites are said to be “Immovable”. It is considered to be a symbol of Christian division. The window, ladder and the ledge belong to the Armenian apostolic. The ledge serves the purpose to get fresh air and sunshine for the Armenian clergy, they use ledge as a balcony as well.

Hadrian Arch

In 130 A.D Hadriah a Roman emperor built a Roman colony in Jerusalem he ordered to build an arc known as the Hadrian arc. This arch is also known as Ecce Homo Arch, it is a triple-arched Roman gateway, consisting of the rock-cut tomb. The arch is believed to be a traditional location of Pontius Pilate’s Ecce Homo speech. It is said to be built in 2nd century CE during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.