Page 27 - Discover Israel Magazine - UKA Edition 2023

Reuven Doron

Millions of Christian pilgrims travel each year to commemorate these events. While in
from all over the world to walk the famous Jerusalem, Queen Helena discovered the site
Via Dolorosa, the “Road of Suffering,” of Golgotha and had her son erect the Church
associated with Jesus of Nazareth’s final of the Holy Sepulcher commemorating the
walk from Pilot’s court to Golgotha where crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of
He was to be crucified. The traditional path Jesus according to the Christian faith.
wanders through the narrow alleys of the Old
City of Jerusalem, ending at the Church of The 4th Century Church is located in the
the Holy Sepulcher, which contains the final Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem The Holy light.
On left: Inside the church.
five Stations of the Cross, signifying the last and was rebuilt many times throughout Photos: Dafna Tal, Imot Flickr.
episodes of the Passion of Christ. history. The architecture reflects multiple
layers of constructions stretching over
While this is the holiest site for Orthodox thousands of years including Byzantine, securing the rights of Christians to worship at
Christianity in Jerusalem, we must remember Crusader, Muslim, and Ottoman periods to the Church.
that Islam rejects the notion that Jesus, called the present day. The Church building bears
Isa in Arabic, was crucified and died. Muslims the scars of time and the distinct orthodox Saladin assigned responsibility for the Church
believe that Jesus did not die but rather was style of high ceilings, low hanging deem lights, doors to two prominent Muslim families. The
taken up to heaven by Allah and will return at strong fragrance of incense, and many alters Joudeh family was entrusted with the key
the end of the age. scattered throughout its chapels and inner itself, and the Nussaiba family, who had been
spaces. The atmosphere is one of mystery, the custodians of the Church doors since the
The Quran speaks about it in Surah Nisa, designed to draw the visitors into the heart of days of Caliph Umar, retained the position of
saying, “That they said (in boast), ‘We killed God. The focal points inside the building are opening the Church doors. Every morning
Isa, son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah;’ But of course the last five Stations of the Cross, and evening, two Israeli officials accompany
they killed him not, nor crucified him. Only commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion, anointing, a member of the Joudeh family who brings
a likeness of that was shown to them. And burial, and resurrection. the doors’ great key to a member of the
those who differ therein are full of doubts, with Nussaiba family who unlocks the doors of the
no knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, Muslim – Christian Harmony in the Holy great Church in a most remarkable display of
for a surety they killed him not. Nay, Allah Land harmony and cooperation between Muslims
raised him unto Himself, and Allah is exalted Muslim-Christian relationships in the Holy and Christians in the Holy Land.
in Power, Wise.” [4:157-158]. Land were often contentious, and special
covenants and agreements were formed Keeping a permanent presence and
This historic Church is one of the four churches over the centuries to promote peace and sharing space in the Church of the Holy
that Queen Helena of Rome established in the guarantee safe access to the holy sites. The Sepulcher are several Orthodox Christian
Holy Land following her 4th Century A.D. visit. famous Mosque of Kaliph Umar stands right denominations including the Roman Catholic,
Queen Helena was the mother of the Roman next to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic
Emperor Constantine who turned Rome into a reminder of the strong Muslim-Christian Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, and Ethiopian
a Christian empire during the 3rd Century bond in the Holy Land following the Islamic Orthodox. Here, in the center of the Old City
A.D., and history indicated that she was a 7th Century conquest, commemorating of Jerusalem, visitors and pilgrims from all
God-fearing Christian. the "Covenant of Umar” which guaranteed over the world reach the focal point of the
protection for Christian pilgrims in the Holy story of Jesus and can share the deepest
Convincing her son the Emperor to sponsor Land. sentiment of Orthodox Christianity.
what some call “the first archeological
expedition in the history of the world,” the Kaliph Umar appointed one of the great As millions of pilgrims pass through the
Queen made the epic journey from Rome to ancestors of the respected Islamic Nussaiba massive doors each year seeking to connect
the Holy Land to research the life, teachings, family as governor of Jerusalem, and the with God’s heart of love and mercy, all visitors
death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. keys of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher are warmly welcomed to the great halls of the
Interviewing local shepherds, farmers, and were placed in his custody. Following the historic Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the
elders of the Jewish Christian community, Crusaders’ reign and defeat by Sultan heart of Jerusalem.
the Queen identified the locations of the Saladin, another historic agreement was
most important parts of the story of Jesus signed between Saladin and King Richard
and constructed four historic churches the Lionheart in the year 1,192 A.D., again The writer is the Director of Sar-El Academy, Sar-El
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