A Georgia Girl in Germany

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the holiest Christian shrines, marking the end of the Via Dolorosa and the spot where Jesus was crucified. The original church was built in 325 A.D. by Emperor Constantine the Great after his mother, the Empress Helena, discovered the tomb of Jesus after its location was revealed to her in a dream. Initially, there were three different buildings: the Anastasia, a round church above Jesus’ empty grave; the Martyrium basilica; and the square between the two churches, Calbarium (or Golgotha) -- a shrine marking the place of crucifixion. In 614 A.D. these buildings were destroyed by the Persians. They were rebuilt, only to be destroyed again in 1009 by Caliph Hakim. The Crusaders erected the present church, which includes Jesus’ tomb and the place of crucifixion under one roof, in 1149 after their conquest of Jerusalem.

The 10th Station of the Cross

This staircase leads to the Chapel of the Divestiture -- or Mount Calvary, although the gate at the top remains locked. This is where Jesus was stripped of his garments before being crucified.

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”
-- Luke 23: 33

The 11th Station of the Cross

This room is just inside the steps of Calvary, and marks where Jesus was nailed to the cross. Magnificent mosaics adorn the ceiling here -- lots of rich blues and golds (the photo doesn’t do it justice at all!). This room is guarded by the Roman Catholics.

The 12th Station of the Cross

This altar is in the chapel belonging to the Greek Orthodox, adjacent to the room with the beautiful blue mosaics, and marks the site of Jesus’ death. Behind the glass is the rock of Golgotha where Jesus and the two thieves were crucified. To the right of the altar is a fissure in the rock that is believed to have been caused by an earthquake at the time of Jesus’ death.

“Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side, and Jesus in the midst.”
-- John 19: 18

The 13th Station of the Cross

When Jesus was taken down from the Cross, his body was laid on the Stone of Unction (Anointing) and anointed with a mixture of myrrh, aloe and aromatic oils. Pilgrims to the Church place personal relics and gifts upon the stone to make them holy.

“[Joseph] went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered”
-- Matthew 27: 58

When I placed my hand on the Stone of Unction, I had a tremendous feeling warmth that filled my entire body, and especially my face. I thought for sure my face would be red in this photo because of that warmth. It was an amazing feeling, and I lingered there taking it all in. Of course, I also placed a few gifts on the stone.

Unfortunately, we were pressed for time, so weren’t able to go inside Jesus’ tomb -- the 14th Station of the Cross. The line to get inside the richly decorated Holy Sepulchre was outrageous! However, we did see inside another tomb -- what Jesus’ tomb likely looked like before it was covered by the decorative chapel beneath the main rotunda.

“And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”
-- Matthew 27: 59-60

Before we left, I sat on Calvary’s steps.

I’m sure you noticed my references to the “Stations of the Cross.” The Via Dolorosa, “Way of Sorrow” or “Way of the Cross,” is Christendom’s most sacred route -- it’s the path Jesus took from the judgment court to Golgotha, bearing the Cross on his back. There are 14 stations on this route, nine along the narrow street and five inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. All are marked by chapels or churches, and every Friday at 3 p.m., Christian pilgrims join the Franciscan progression to retrace these steps and recall Jesus’ agony.

Labels: Israel, Travel