On our urban hike through Jerusalem, Israel in December 2014 we stopped to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We saw other sites like the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, and the Mount of Olives on the same urban hike.
According to tradition, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (aka the Church of the Resurrection) is located in the Old City in Jerusalem along with the Via Dolorosa, the Temple Mount, and the Wailing Wall. The last four stations of the cross (the rest are located along the Via Dolorosa) are located at the church which is home to two of the most holy sites in Christianity: Jesus’ place of crucifixion and his empty tomb where we was buried and then resurrected. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been said to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, entombment, and resurrection since about the fourth century. In other words, these sites were located and identified by the church approximately 300 years after Jesus’ death.
The sign indicating the walkway toward the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The actual walkway to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Our first look at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
A cat at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
He was a little fierce, but still friendly.
The entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The first room in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Stone of Anointing was the site that Jesus’ body is said to have been prepared for burial (this is what all the people are crowded around in this image).
The Stone of Anointing in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Stone of Anointing in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Stone of Anointing in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
This stone (which claims to be the real Stone of Anointing) was actually placed in its location during an 1810 reconstruction…
The Stone of Anointing is also commonly known as the Stone of Unction.
A picture behind the Stone of Anointing depicting Jesus’ preparations for burial.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
Just outside the Aedicule (where Jesus’ grave is supposed to be).
Just outside the Aedicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
This was above the entrance to the Aedicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Icon of Madonna painting in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
This faded mirror was downstairs under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in what is often called the Holy Prison (where Jesus was held).
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
Jennifer walks on ahead at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.
Related Posts:
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Israel: Photo Gallery
Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel: Photo Gallery
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel: Photo Gallery
Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Israel: Photo Gallery
The Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, Israel: Photo Gallery
