- Address: Jerusalem, Israel;
- Discovery: 1910;
- Phone: +972 2-565-5330;
- Website: dormitio.net.
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin is a cave temple on the slope of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem . Christians believe that it was here that the Virgin Mary was buried. The temple consists of several sites that belong to different Christian denominations.
Description
In the Holy Scripture it is said that Jesus, dying on the cross, instructed the apostle John to take care of the Mother. Christians believe that after Mary died, the apostle buried her here, although the script does not say anything about it. For the first time the church on the slope of the Mount of Olives was built in 326 AD. The initiator of the construction was the mother of Emperor Constantine, who was a zealous Christian. Over time, the temple was completely destroyed. Her recovery was led by Queen Melisenda of Jerusalem in 1161. It is this kind of church that has survived to this day.
What to see?
The staircase leads to the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God, below which the temple is located. It is partially carved into the rock, so part of the walls is a natural solid stone, getting into the temple, you are inside the mountain. The inside of the church is quite dark, as the walls have darkened from the incense. The main source of light is the lamps hanging from the ceiling. The coffin of the Virgin itself is a rough stone slab. It is believed that it was on this stone that the body of the deceased Virgin was located.
Also on the way to the temple are other religious objects:
- The tomb of Mujir-ad-Din . A well-known Muslim historian who lived in the 15th century is buried in a tomb that has a small dome on the columns, which makes the tomb visible from afar.
- Tomb of Queen Melisenda . The Queen of Jerusalem, who ruled the 12th century. She founded a large monastery in Bethany, which earned considerable support from the church.
- Chapel of St. Joseph the Betrothed . It is located in the middle of the stairs and since the beginning of the XIX century is under the auspices of the Armenians.
- Chapel of the Saints Joachim and Anna , the parents of the Virgin. Also is on the stairs.
How to get there?
The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is in Jerusalem , in the eastern part of the city. You can get to the temple by bus, stop «Mount of Olives» - routes 51, 83 and 83x.