If you could tour just one Christian site in Israel it should be the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (or Sepulcher) in Jerusalem’s Old City. This mammoth 4th-century church encompasses the site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
What is the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem?
In the 4th-century Emperor Constantine’s mother, St. Helena toured Israel and identified places where New Testament events took place. Among them was Calvary (Golgotha), and Christ’s burial tomb. A church was erected around the holy sites and over the next 1,500 years, it has been expanded, damaged, and repaired.
Visit the Holy Sepulcher Church
The church is shared by the Catholic Church, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Church, Syrian and Coptic Churches. On an Israel tour, or a Jerusalem Old City private tour you can see the altars, and chapels of each denomination within the richly decorated church. Throughout the day you can hear chanting, prayer, and liturgical music. For Christians visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is a highly emotional once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Don’t Miss the Sepulcher Church Highlights
- Eleventh Station of the Cross, where Jesus was nailed to the cross.
- Twelfth Station of the Cross, where Jesus died on the cross.
- Thirteenth Station of the Cross, where Jesus was taken off the cross and placed in his mother’s arms.
- Stone of the Unction (or Stone of the Anointing) where Christ’s body was prepared for burial.
- Rock of Golgotha, where Jesus’ cross stood.
- The Tomb of Christ is the final Station of the Via Dolorosa and stands beneath the dome of the church. An Edicule holds the Chapel of the Angel and the inner rock-cut burial chamber of Christ.
Take a private tour of Jerusalem’s Christian sites to discover more about this fascinating landmark
