Want to learn more about the church? Here are 20 interesting facts about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

  1. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, with its origins dating back to the 4th century AD.
  1. The church is built on the site where Roman Emperor Constantine the Great’s mother, Helena, believed she had discovered the True Cross.
  1. The church has survived numerous destructions, fires, and reconstructions throughout its history, including the destruction ordered by Caliph Al-Hakim in 1009 AD.
  1. The ladder resting on a window ledge above the church’s main entrance has been there since the Ottoman period. It is known as the “Immovable Ladder” and has become a symbol of the Status Quo arrangement.
  1. The church’s keyholders are Muslim families who have held this responsibility for centuries. This arrangement helps prevent disputes among the Christian denominations.
  1. The main entrance to the church is a modest door called the “Door of Humility.” It was made small to deter looters and invaders on horseback.
  1. Beneath the church lies a network of tunnels and chapels, including the Chapel of St. Helena and the Chapel of Adam.
  1. The church houses several chapels, each belonging to a specific Christian denomination, including the Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic, Syriac, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches.
  1. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a unique presence in the church, with a monastery located on its rooftop. It is the only monastery in the Old City of Jerusalem.
  1. The Stone of Anointing, believed to be where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial, is covered with a decorative canopy that resembles a tent. It was gifted by the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie in 1959.
  1. The church’s interior is adorned with beautiful mosaics, ornate chandeliers, and intricate artwork representing different Christian traditions and historical periods.
  1. The church has two prominent domes. The larger dome covers the Katholikon, the main worship area, and the smaller dome covers the Aedicule, enclosing the Holy Tomb.
  1. Within the church, there is a small ladder leading to a window on the exterior of the building. This ladder has remained in place since the 18th century and is known as “Jacob’s Ladder.”
  1. The church has been a center of pilgrimage for centuries, attracting millions of visitors from around the world who come to pray, meditate, and witness the sites associated with Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.
  1. The church is known for its unique scent, often described as a mixture of incense, candle wax, and the aromas of the thousands of pilgrims who visit.
  1. The immovable columns within the church are believed to have miraculous properties. It is said that if you can reach around the columns and touch your hands together behind them, your wishes will be granted.
  1. The church’s underground chapels are connected by narrow staircases and corridors, creating a maze-like network of sacred spaces.
  1. The church’s ceremony of the Holy Fire, celebrated on Holy Saturday, is a major event that draws large crowds. It involves the lighting of candles using a holy flame that is believed to miraculously appear inside the Aedicule.
  1. The church is located in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, making it part of a historically significant neighborhood.
  1. Despite its tumultuous history and occasional disputes, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre stands as a symbol of Christian unity and resilience, and it continues to inspire and move people from all walks of life.

These fun facts about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre highlight some intriguing and lesser-known aspects of the church, adding to its mystique and allure.