Holy Sepulchre
Christ's burial site
The Holy Sepulchre is the tomb in Jerusalem where, according to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ was buried and resurrected.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the site, is among Christianity's most sacred pilgrimage destinations: Pilgrims traveled to the Holy Sepulchre from across medieval Europe.
The site has been contested and rebuilt across centuries of religious conflict.
Triply sacred ancient capital
- Old CityPreserved walled urban center
- GolgothaBiblical execution hilltop
- CalvaryBiblical execution mount
- rotundaCircular domed chamber
Mount of Olives · Gethsemane · Temple Mount · Zion · basilica · Constantine · Helena · excavation
Circular domed chamber
- domeRounded vault forming roof
- altarSacred ritual table
- naveChurch's main interior
- chapelSmall worship room
sanctuary · sacristy · clergy · liturgy · incense · icons · mosaics · lamps
Placing deceased underground
- cryptSubterranean burial vault
- graveSerious and worrying
- rock-cutCarved into bedrock
- chamberEnclosed room or cavity
sarcophagus · entombment · sealed · Joseph of Arimathea · Nicodemus · anointing · shroud · empty tomb
Religious journey takers
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- journeyTravel from place to place
- crusadesAggressive advocacy campaigns
medieval · procession · indulgence · relics · shrines · penance · faithful · palm branches
Resurrection commemoration day
- risenMoved upward already
- empty tombUnoccupied burial chamber
- angelDivine winged messenger
- Mary MagdaleneFemale disciple, early witness
stone rolled away · appearances · ascension · eternal life · salvation · faith · triumph · miracle
Byzantine Christian tradition
- Roman CatholicChristian denomination led from Vatican
- CopticLate Egyptian language
- EthiopianFrom Africa's oldest nation
- shared custodyBoth parents raise child
keys · disputes · coexistence · ecumenical · denominations · territories · schedules · traditions
Jerusalem
Triply sacred ancient capital
- Old CityPreserved walled urban center
- GolgothaBiblical execution hilltop
- CalvaryBiblical execution mount
rotunda · Mount of Olives · Gethsemane · Temple Mount · Zion · basilica · Constantine · Helena · excavation · archaeology
rotunda
Circular domed chamber
chapel · sanctuary · sacristy · clergy · liturgy · incense · icons · mosaics · lamps · bells
burial
Placing deceased underground
chamber · sarcophagus · entombment · sealed · Joseph of Arimathea · Nicodemus · anointing · shroud · empty tomb · antechamber
pilgrims
Religious journey takers
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- journeyTravel from place to place
crusades · medieval · procession · indulgence · relics · shrines · penance · faithful · palm branches · candles
Easter
Resurrection commemoration day
- risenMoved upward already
- empty tombUnoccupied burial chamber
- angelDivine winged messenger
Mary Magdalene · stone rolled away · appearances · ascension · eternal life · salvation · faith · triumph · miracle · hope
Greek Orthodox
Byzantine Christian tradition
- Roman CatholicChristian denomination led from Vatican
- CopticLate Egyptian language
- EthiopianFrom Africa's oldest nation
shared custody · keys · disputes · coexistence · ecumenical · denominations · territories · schedules · traditions
Holy SepulchreBethlehem
Nativity's traditional setting
manger · Nazareth · Galilee · birthplace · Calvary
Holy SepulchreKaaba
Sacred cube in Mecca
Mecca · Temple Mount · Western Wall · Varanasi · Golden Temple