In time for Easter, my essay “At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre” appeared on Jerusalem Moments. With it, I thought I’d share a few photos from and around this church, with which I have made more of a peace since that very first visit, retold in this excerpt from Jumping Over Shadows.
I pretty much visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre every time I’m in the Old City of Jerusalem because in one of the alleyways leading to it there is the store where I always buy incense for my Coptic Ethiopian friends here in Chicago.
In the winter of 2014, on my first visit back to the church after the one detailed in the essay, it was one of these colorfully dressed pilgrims from Nigeria who, inside the church, kindly explained to my daughter and me what was what.
This is the altar described at the end of the essay.
People in line to see Jesus’ final resting place.
As you can see, none of the white light streaming in through the dome’s windows really makes it down into the church, and there are no windows at “ground” level.
The facade of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – this is as much as you’re going to get in case you’re looking for a grand entrance like I was. It’s the only part of the church that’s free standing.
I know the entrance seems “that’s it?” compared to what’s inside. I find it strangely marvelous that the various Christian groups making that place their home are so contentious with each other.
Yes, it is sad that there’s so much strife within the church but the last time I was there, a few weeks ago, there was some construction going on so it looks like some of these groups agreed on something and necessary repairs are being made.