Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of the Resurrection, is a fourth-century church in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. It is the holiest site in Christianity and has been an important pilgrimage site for Christians since the fourth century.

According to traditions dating to the fourth century, the church contains both the site where Jesus was crucified at Calvary, or Golgotha, and the location of Jesus's empty tomb, where he was buried and resurrected. Both locations are considered immensely holy sites by most Christians. The church was built under Constantine the Great in the 4th century and was later destroyed and rebuilt several times.

Today, control of the church is shared among several Christian denominations and secular entities in a complex arrangement known as the Status Quo. The main denominations sharing property include the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic, Syriac, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre remains a deeply significant place for millions of Christians around the world.

Name

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is also known as the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre or simply the Holy Sepulchre. It is named for the tomb of Jesus, which is very important because Christians believe this is where his resurrection happened. Some Eastern Christians call it the Church of the Resurrection or the Church of the Anastasis, with "anástasis" being a Greek word meaning 'resurrection'.

History

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the most important Christian sites. It is believed to be the place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. The church has a long and rich history dating back to the fourth century.

After the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, the Roman emperor Hadrian built a temple on the site. Later, the Roman emperor Constantine, after favoring Christianity, allowed the Bishop of Jerusalem to search for Jesus's tomb. They found a cave that was believed to be the burial site of Jesus. Constantine then ordered the temple to be replaced with a church. This church, built over two holy sites, included a rotunda called the Anastasis where Jesus was thought to be buried, and a large basilica known as the Martyrium.

Over the centuries, the church faced many challenges, including destruction by fire and earthquakes. It was rebuilt several times, most notably by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Today, the church remains an important pilgrimage site and is shared by different Christian communities.

Description

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is a very important place for Christians. It is believed to be where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again. Many people visit this church as a pilgrimage.

The church has a courtyard called the parvis with several small buildings and chapels around it. Inside the church, there are many special areas. One is Calvary, where Jesus was crucified. There are chapels for different Christian groups here. Another important spot is the Stone of Unction, where Jesus' body was prepared for burial. In the center of the church is the Rotunda, a large round room with a small chapel called the Aedicule, which contains the tomb of Jesus. The church also has a main area called the catholicon with a large dome. There are many other chapels and special places inside the church, each with its own history and meaning for Christians.

Status Quo

Main article: Status Quo (Jerusalem and Bethlehem)

Long ago, leaders made rules to help different groups share important holy places peacefully. These rules were created in old documents called decrees. Today, three main groups—the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic churches—share the care of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Each group has its own special jobs and places inside the church where they can pray and work.

Even with these rules, sometimes people disagree. For example, in 2002, a small argument about moving a chair caused a quick fight. In 2008, a disagreement during a special holiday led to a short brawl. But overall, the groups work together and share the church in a peaceful way.

Issues with Israeli authorities

In February 2018, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was closed because of a tax problem over a large amount of money that the church had not paid on some of its properties. The city said the church and other churches do not have to pay taxes, but places like hotels and businesses owned by the church do need to pay.

In 2017, there were worries when the church sold some of its lands to groups that want more Jewish people to live in Jerusalem. Church leaders were concerned this could affect access to the church. In March 2026, leaders were stopped from holding Palm Sunday celebrations because of safety rules after a nearby missile strike. Many leaders from different countries spoke out about this decision. Later, Israeli officials said they should have allowed a small group to enter the church.

Connection to Roman temple

The site where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre now stands was once a temple built by the Roman emperor Hadrian. This temple was dedicated to the gods Jupiter or Venus. It was placed at an important crossroads where the main roads of the city met.

Archaeologists have studied the area and found clues showing that when the church was built, it was constructed on top of the old temple. Some parts of the church, like its round shape, might have been inspired by the temple that was there before. Researchers continue to discuss and learn more about how these ancient structures were laid out and how they influenced the church's design.

Location

The New Testament tells us that Jesus’s tomb was outside the city walls, which was normal for burials in ancient times. Today, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is inside the walls of old Jerusalem. Historians believe that when Jesus lived, the city was smaller, and the tomb was outside the walls. Later, the city grew, and the walls were moved.

Recent excavations near the church have found very old remains of olive trees and grapevines, showing that plants grew there thousands of years ago. The church is part of a special protected area called a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the Old City of Jerusalem. It is located near the Armenian Quarter and an area called the Muristan, which has been a place for Christian visitors to stay since ancient times.

Influence

Many churches across Europe were built inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For example, Santo Stefano in Bologna, Italy, features seven small churches that mimic holy sites in Jerusalem.

Churches in places like Germany, Russia, and even the United States were designed to look like the Church of the Resurrection. These include the Heiliges Grab in Görlitz, the New Jerusalem Monastery in Moscow Oblast, and the Mount St. Sepulchre Franciscan Monastery in Washington, D.C.. During the time of the Crusades, this church was considered the most important in all of Christendom.