Map of Jerusalem ( Ancient )

Maps of Jerusalem

Jerusalem during time of Jesus

Holy Week

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday commemorates the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem described in all four canonical gospels. As described in the accounts, Jesus's entry into Jerusalem was noted by the crowds present who shouted praises and waved palm branches, singing part of Psalm 118: 25–26 – “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.” ( Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-39, John 12:12-19 )

Holy Monday

On Holy Monday, some observe the anointing of Jesus at Bethany (John 12:1-11). Other events which the Gospels tell of which may have occurred on this day include cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17 Luke 19:45-48), and the questioning of Jesus’ authority. (Matthew 21:23-27, Mark  11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8)

Fig Tuesday

On Holy Tuesday, some observe Jesus' predictions of his own death, ( John 12:20-36) and the cursing the fig tree. ( Matthew 21:18—19, Mark 11:12-14)

Spy Wednesday

On Holy Wednesday, the story of Judas arranging his betrayal of Jesus with the chief priests is remembered.  ( Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:1-6 )  For this reason, the day is sometimes called "Spy Wednesday"

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday) commemorates the Last Supper, where Christ lays out the model for the Eucharist or Holy Communion. ( Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46 )    During the meal, Jesus predicted the events that would immediately follow, including his betrayal ( Matthew 26:21-25, Mark 14:17-21 ), the Denial of Peter ( Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-34, John 13:36-38 ), and his death and resurrection ( Matthew 26:32, Mark 14:28,John 13:33-34 ).

Good Friday

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent death. ( Matthew 27:1-61, Mark 15:1-41, Luke 23:1-49, John 19:1-37)

Black Saturday

( Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42 )

Holy Saturday is the day between the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection. As the Sabbath day, the Gospel accounts all note that Jesus was hurriedly buried in a cave tomb after his crucifixion, with the intent to finish proper embalming and burial ceremonies on Sunday, after the Sabbath had ended, as the Sabbath day prohibitions would have prevented observant Jews from completing a proper burial.

Easter Sunday

( Matthew 28:1-15, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-12, John 200:1-18 )

Easter Day, which immediately follows Holy Week and begins with the Easter Vigil, is the great feast day and apogee of the Christian liturgical year: on this day the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated. It is the first day of the new season of the Great Fifty Days, or Eastertide, which runs from Easter Day to Pentecost Sunday. The Resurrection of Christ on Easter Day is the main reason why Christians keep every Sunday as the primary day of religious observance.

Station of the Cross ( Via Crucis )

Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross), refers to 14 images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers. The stations grew out of imitations of Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem which is believed to be the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary.

Commonly, the 14 images will be arranged in numbered order along a path and the faithful travel from image to image, in order, stopping at each station to say the selected prayers and reflections. This will be done individually or in a procession most commonly during Lent, especially on Good Friday, in a spirit of reparation for the sufferings and insults that Jesus endured during his passion.

It has become one of the most popular devotions and the stations can be found in many Western Christian churches, including Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Roman Catholic.

Station 1 – Jesus is Condemned to Death

( Matthew 27:27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23-1-25, John 18:28-19:16 )

Station 2 – Jesus Carries His Cross

( Matthew 27:27:27-31, Mark 15:20, John 19:17 )

Station 3 – Jesus Falls the First Time

Station 4 – Jesus Meets His Mother

Station 5 – Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross

( Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26 )

Station 6 – Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Station 7 – Jesus Falls the Second Time

Station 8 – Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

( Luke 23:27 )

Station 9 – Jesus Falls the Third Time

Station 10 – Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

( Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:23 )

Station 11 – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

( Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:25, Luke 23:33, John 19:23  )

Station 12 – Jesus Dies on the Cross

( Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46, John 19:30 )

Station 13 – Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

Station 14 – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

( Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 42-46, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38-41 )

Via Dolorosa ( Way of Suffering )

The Via Dolorosa (Way of Suffering‎) is a processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem, believed to be the path that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion. The 600 m winding route starts from the former Antonia Fortress and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The current route has been established since the 18th century, replacing various earlier versions.   It is today marked by 9 Stations of the Cross.

Station 1 – Jesus is Condemned to Death

( Matthew 27:27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23-1-25, John 18:28-19:16 )

Station 2 – Jesus Carries His Cross

( Matthew 27:27:27-31, Mark 15:20, John 19:17 )

 

Station 3 – Jesus Falls the First Time

Station 4 – Jesus Meets His Mother

Station 5 – Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross

( Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26 )

Station 6 – Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Station 7 – Jesus Falls the Second Time

Station 8 – Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

( Luke 23:27 )

Station 9 – Jesus Falls the Third Time

Station 10 – Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

( Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:23 )

Station 11 – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

( Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:25, Luke 23:33, John 19:23  )

 Station 12 – Jesus Dies on the Cross

( Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:46, John 19:30 )

Station 13 – Stone of the Anointing

 ( John 19:39-40 )

Station 14 – Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

( Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 42-46, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38-41 )

  

Church of the Holy Sepulchre (335 AD)

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is built on the traditional site of Jesus’ Crucifixion and burial. According to the Bible, his tomb was close to the place of the Crucifixion (John 19:41–42), and so the church was planned to enclose the site of both the cross and the tomb.

Both Calvary ( Golgotha ) and the Tomb of Christ were isolated by cutting away the surrounding rock and earth, making them free-standing blocks.

Within the church proper are the last 5 stations of the Via Dolorosa, representing the final episodes of the Passion of Jesus.

Brief History

In 312 AD, after Constantine the Great converted to Christianity, he sent his mother Helena to Jerusalem to look for Christ’s Tomb.  
Helena found 3 crosses near to a tomb, which believed to be the Calvary and Christ’s Tomb.

A church was constructed over the two sites : an enclosed colonnaded atrium with the Calvary in one corner, and a rotunda called Anastasis where Jesus have been buried.  The Church was consecrated on 13^th September 335.

Since then, the church underwent many damages and rebuilding.  It was destroyed by the Persian, damaged in earthquakes and fires.  Restorations and reconstruction were carried out by Emperor Heraclius, and Patriach Thomas.  Despite being captured by the Muslims, it remained a Christian church. 

On 18^th October 1009,  Fatimid Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah ordered the complete destruction of the Church.  In 1048, after given permission by the Muslilms, it was rebuilt by Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachus, but on a different plan, with the entrance on the south side. 

Jerusalem was captured by the Christians during the First Crusade (1096-1099).  The Church was restored and all the small chapels were placed under one roof. It was reconsecrated on 15^th July 1149.

Over 3 centuries, the Church has been changing hand between the Crusaders and the Muslims, till Jerusalem fell to the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

Calvary

Inside the church entrance is a stairway leading up to Calvary (Golgotha), the most lavishly decorated part of the church.

Calvary is split into two chapels, one Greek Orthodox and one Catholic, each with its own altar. On the left (north) side, the Greek Orthodox chapel's altar is placed over the rock of Calvary. The rock can be seen under protective glass on both sides of the altar. The softer surrounding stone was removed when the church was built.

 

On the ground floor, just underneath the Golgotha chapel, is the Chapel of Adam.  According to tradition, Jesus was crucified over the place where Adam's skull was buried.

Behind the Chapel of Adam is the Museum of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, which holds many relics, including a 12th-century crystal mitre alleged to have once held a fragment of the Holy Cross.

Stone of Anointing

The Stone of Anointing, where Jesus' body is said to have been anointed before burial.

Just inside the entrance to the church is the Stone of Anointing, which tradition believes to be where Jesus' body was prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea.

Christ’s Tomb

In the centre of the rotunda is a small chapel which encloses the Holy Sepulchre. The Chapel holds the Angel's Stone, which is believed to be a fragment of the large stone that sealed the tomb; and the tomb of Jesus.

West of the Chapel is the Chapel with Tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

  

Debate

This site has been continuously recognized since the 4th century as the place where Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead.

Whether it is the actual location, however, has been hotly debated. It cannot be determined that Christians during the first 3 centuries could or did preserve an authentic tradition as to where these events occurred.

Members of the Christian church in Jerusalem fled to Pella about 66 AD, and Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD.

Wars, destruction, and confusion during the following centuries possibly prevented preservation of exact information.

Another question involves the course of the second north wall of ancient Jerusalem. Some archaeological remains on the east and south sides of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are widely interpreted to mark the course of the second wall. If so, the site of the church lay just outside the city wall in the time of Jesus, and this could be the actual place of his Crucifixion and burial. No rival site is supported by any real evidence.