Immovable Ladder: All about the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Ladder
There’s this ladder at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre called the “immovable ladder.” It’s made of wood from Lebanon cedar and has been there since around 1728, or maybe even earlier. It’s considered one of the best things to see in the Holy Sepulchre Church due to its fabulous back story.
People often wonder why it’s called “immovable,” and it’s because of an agreement called the Status Quo. This agreement says that none of the religious groups that use the church can change or move anything without getting permission from the others.
There are different stories about how the ladder ended up there. Some say it used to belong to a builder who was fixing things in the church. Others think it was put there when the Ottoman rulers were making the Christian clergy pay a tax every time they went in and out of the church.
The Catholics found a way around this by staying inside the church. The ladder at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was actually used by Armenian clergy who lived in the church to reach a balcony where they could get fresh air and sunlight. They even grew vegetables on that balcony.
The Holy Sepulchre ladder has been there for a very long time. It’s shown in pictures and engravings from as far back as the 1700s. In 1757, an Ottoman ruler mentioned the ladder in an official order, and because they wanted everything to stay the same, the ladder had to stay too.
Over the years, the ladder has had different uses. It was used to bring food to Armenian monks who were kept prisoner by the Turks. There are stories of Armenian monks using it to clean windows. People in the past used the ledge under the ladder for special events.
Pope Paul VI visited the church in 1964 and said that the ladder showed how Christians were divided. In 1997, someone took the ladder inside the church and hid it behind an altar to show how silly the arguments about it were. They put it back later, and a window grate was added. In 2009, the ladder was moved to a different window temporarily before being moved back again.
Over time, this immovable ladder in the Holy Sepulchre Church has become quite famous. It’s a symbol of the disagreements and divisions among the different Christian groups who share the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This church is a really important place for Christians, as it is where Jesus was crucified and buried.
The ladder has been perched on the ledge by a window for centuries. People have noticed it in old pictures, engravings, and even early photographs. It’s like a piece of history frozen in time, still there despite all the changes that have happened around it.
So, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre ladder isn’t just a ladder. It’s a piece of history, a symbol of religious differences, and a reminder of the shared stories that make up the Church of the Holy Sepulchre’s rich tapestry.
FAQs about the Ladder at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Here are the most common questions about the Immovable Ladder at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to help you better understand its history and why it remains today.
The ladder got its name because of an agreement known as the Status Quo among the Christian denominations that share the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This agreement states that none of the denominations can move, rearrange, or alter anything without the consent of the others. As a result, the Status Quo ladder has remained in the same place for centuries.
The exact origin of the “holy” ladder is unclear, but it’s been documented in pictures, engravings, and photographs dating back to the 18th century. It’s believed to have been in place since at least 1728.
The origin of the ladder’s placement is somewhat uncertain. One story suggests that it belonged to a mason who was doing restoration work in the church. Another theory is that the ladder was introduced as a way for Armenian clergy to access a balcony for fresh air and sunlight.
The ladder serves as a symbol of the delicate balance and shared custody among the various Christian denominations at the church. The Status Quo agreement prevents any denomination from making changes without the agreement of the others, which has led to the ladder’s preservation.
Generally, the ladder is not supposed to be moved or used without the agreement of all the Christian denominations involved. There have been a few instances where the ladder was temporarily moved or hidden, but these actions were often meant to make a statement or draw attention to the complexities of the Status Quo.
The ladder is made from Lebanon cedar wood, known for its durability and resistance to decay. This type of wood was commonly used in construction in the region.
The ladder has become a symbol of the divisions and tensions among the different Christian groups that share the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It also reflects the challenges of maintaining peaceful coexistence and shared custody of such a significant religious site.
While there are no widely recognized legends, various anecdotes and stories have circulated over the years about the ladder’s history and significance. Some accounts tie the ladder to historical events or the daily lives of the clergy who lived in the church.
