{"id":221,"date":"2015-03-14T15:12:46","date_gmt":"2015-03-14T15:12:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.danhotels.com\/Blog\/?p=221"},"modified":"2025-07-28T15:09:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T12:09:44","slug":"christian-jerusalem-the-old-city-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.danhotels.com\/Blog\/?p=221","title":{"rendered":"Christian Jerusalem\u2013The Old City\u00a0-Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Christian<\/a><\/p>\n

Since the Christian segment of Jerusalem\u2019s population is such a minority in comparison to Jews and Muslims, it is sometimes easy to overlook the fact that the city is Christendom\u2019s holiest site. From Jesus\u2019 early visits to the Temple as a child, to the miracles he performed later in life, Jerusalem is closely tied to Jesus\u2019 biography as described in the Christian Bible. All before we even consider Jerusalem\u2019s significance as the spot of the crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thus, the city attracts well over a million Christian visitors each year to visit the numerous monumental churches, monasteries, Christian holy sites and Christian institutions. Of course, with so many different Christian denominations in the world, many significant spots have multiple churches that mark specific events in Jesus\u2019 life, while some of the other major sites have shared custody between different denominations.<\/em><\/p>\n

All of this can be confusing to the average tourist, so I plan to demystify Christian Jerusalem in a series of posts focusing on the different main areas of Christian interest in Jerusalem. In brief, it will highlight many of the most important Christian sites (though certainly not all of them) throughout the city.<\/em><\/p>\n

In this first post, we concentrate exclusively on sites within the Old City walls. Look out for future posts which will address sites on the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, Ein Karem, outside Damascus Gate, and other areas.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Christian<\/a><\/p>\n

The Old City<\/em><\/h2>\n

The heart of Christian Jerusalem is obviously the Old City, the part of Jerusalem that existed during Jesus\u2019 lifetime. As such, there are churches and chapels inside the Old City walls from nearly every branch of Christianity, including some from small, lesser-known denominations. Some of the most significant sites are :<\/em><\/p>\n

Church of the Holy Sepulchre<\/em><\/h2>\n

The holiest church in the world to the majority of Christians, this church has shared custody among 6 different Christian sects: Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian, Syriac, Coptic and Ethiopian Christians. One of the original churches built by St. Helena in the Fourth Century, this stately and complex structure houses many small chapels and shrines, including altars marking the spots of the crucifixion, the burial and subsequent resurrection.<\/em><\/p>\n

Via Dolorosa<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Primarily a Catholic route, the \u201cWay of Suffering\u201d has physical stops marking the 14 Stations of the Cross. Starting in the Muslim Quarter with a site dedicated to the trial of Jesus by Pilate, the Via Dolorosa winds its way through the Muslim and Christian Quarters to end within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Though not an official station, the Ecce Homo arch is also found near the beginning of the route. It is traditionally associated with the spot where Pilate presents Jesus to the citizens of Jerusalem.<\/em><\/p>\n

Looking for a place to stay in Jerusalem? Check out the King David luxuirious accomodation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

St. Anne\u2019s Church<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the only remaining Crusader-era churches built in the Holy Land, St. Anne\u2019s is situated in a large compound near the Lion\u2019s Gate (also known as St. Stephen\u2019s gate). Known for its excellent acoustics, the Catholic church is dedicated to Anne and Joachim, Mary\u2019s parents. Also on site are the Bethesda Pools \u2013 associated with the miracle in which Jesus healed a lame man \u2013 as well as remains of earlier Byzantine and Crusader churches. (can one visit inside at all times? Maybe link back here to more details on a website for timings? \u2013 same goes for all of them)<\/em>
\nChrist Church and the Church of the Redeemer<\/em>
\nThese are two of the more significant Protestant churches in the Old City. Christ Church, near the Jaffa Gate, was the first Protestant church in the Middle East. It was originally the seat of the shared Anglican and Lutheran Bishopric until the Lutherans built the Church of the Redeemer in the late 1800s. The Church of the Redeemer, near the Holy Sepulchre, also includes a tall bell tower with an amazing view of the city, as well as some relatively new archaeological excavations beneath the church itself.<\/em><\/p>\n

Cathedral of St. James<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

The most important Armenian church in Jerusalem, St. James is also the seat of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Built nearly 900 years ago, the church is the major structure inside the walled compound of the Armenian Quarter and is dedicated both to James the Greater (greater or GREAT?_ (one of the Twelve Apostles) and James the Just (brother of Jesus).<\/em>
\nLesser Known Churches<\/em>
\nThere are tens of churches from many different Christian denominations. These include churches belonging to the Syriac, Greek Catholic (Melkite) and Armenian Catholic sects.<\/em>
\nMaybe make a closing comment like \u2018Jerusalem itself is filled with other sites of Christian interest, look out for further posts on other areas\u2026.\u201d Or something \u2013 I find it ends a bit abruptly<\/em><\/p>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Since the Christian segment of Jerusalem\u2019s population is such a minority in comparison to Jews and Muslims, it is sometimes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":338,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nChristian Jerusalem \u2013 The Old City - P 1 | Dan Hotels Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Jerusalem attracts over a million Christian visitors each year to visit Christianity's holiest sites and Christian institutions. 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