Church of the Holy Sepulchre

In 326, Emperor Constantine of Rome, who had recently converted to Christianity and pronounced it the official religion of the Roman Empire, called a meeting of bishops from all over the empire. The bishop from Jerusalem attended. The emperor’s mother, Queen Helena, who had been instrumental in the Emperor’s conversion to Christianity, was saddened by the bishop’s descriptions of the lack of care given to the sites that Christianity held sacred and subsequent state of disrepair. In 326 AD, with her son’s authority and funds, she visited the Holy Land. In addition to preserving the sites that were known, one of her missions was to identify the site of the crucifixion which had not been determined.

Helena found a place that fit the description of the Gospel and historical accounts. Ten years later, Constantine dedicated the magnificent Church of the Holy Sepulchre encompassing both the site of the crucifixion as well as the tomb.

The original Byzantine church was destroyed by the Persians in 614 A.D. Rebuilt shortly thereafter, the Egyptian caliph al-Hakim destroyed the church in 1009 and had the tomb hacked down to bedrock.

The Crusaders rebuilt the church and much of what is standing today is from that time period. The ladder in the upper right window has been there since at least 1860, a testimony to rivalries between the church's factions.

Inside the church is the traditional place where Jesus’ cross was placed. Pilgrims come from all over the world to reach in and touch the hole where Jesus’ cross was supposed to be placed.

Nearby is the place where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial. Many touch, kiss and pray over this spot.

The tomb of Christ is also within the same church. However, this reconstructed tomb looks nothing like a garden tomb as the Gospels indicate.

This site is considered one of the holiest of Christian sites in the world. Many Christians come from all over the world to visit the site where they believe Jesus was crucified on Golgotha, as well as resurrected from the tomb.

This may be the spot where Jesus was crucified and buried. However, because it is so busy and all contained within a church, it is hard to get a feel for what may have taken place here. I much prefer the Garden Tomb site. It is quiet, there is the face of the skull on a hill, and a garden tomb.

It doesn’t matter which site, if either, was the place where Jesus was crucified and buried. What matters is that the cross is empty and so is the grave.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!