Holy Sepulchre

The term "Holy Sepulchre" most commonly refers to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a major Christian pilgrimage site in Jerusalem built over the places where Jesus was crucified and entombed.

The Holy Sepulchre - Posts and Essays | Danny The Digger What does archaeology say about the location of the Church of ... Thousands gather for centuries-old Holy Fire ceremony in ... Inside Look: Church of Holy Sepulchre & Tomb of Christ Church of the Holy Sepulcher (BiblePlaces.com)

Significance and historical context

• The sites of the Passion: According to tradition dating back to the 4th century, the church stands over two of the most sacred sites in Christianity: Calvary (or Golgotha), the site of Jesus' crucifixion, and the empty tomb from which he is believed to have resurrected.
• Built by Constantine: The first church was commissioned in 326 CE by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, after his mother, Helena, identified the location of the tomb. An earlier Roman temple dedicated to Venus had been built over the spot by Emperor Hadrian.
• Historical turmoil: Over its long history, the church has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times due to fires, earthquakes, and invasions. The 11th-century destruction ordered by the Fatimid caliph al-Hakim was particularly extensive and is considered a contributing factor to the Crusades.
• Crusader reconstruction: The Crusaders renovated and combined the church's various shrines into a single complex in the 12th century. Much of the structure today reflects that Crusader-era construction.

Key sites within the church

The church is a complex of chapels and structures administered by various Christian denominations. Significant locations include:

• The Aedicule
  • A small chapel at the center of the rotunda that encloses Jesus' tomb.
• The Stone of Anointing
  • A slab of stone near the entrance where Jesus' body is said to have been prepared for burial.
• Calvary
  • An elevated section of the church containing two chapels marking the rock of Golgotha, where the cross was placed.
• The Chapel of Saint Helena
  • An underground chapel built by the Crusaders, which leads to the location where Helena is said to have discovered the "True Cross".

Management and traditions

• "Status Quo": Control of the church is shared by several denominations, including the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Apostolic churches. A delicate and complex arrangement known as the "Status Quo" has governed rights and rules at the site since the 18th century.
• Muslim keyholders: For centuries, a Muslim family has been entrusted with the key to the main entrance. This tradition dates to the time of Saladin in the 12th century and is meant to ensure neutrality among the rival Christian factions.