Church of the Holy Sepulchre

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The daily procession of the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher. Due to the restoration works inside the basilica, Franciscans, as well as other communities, had to change the route of their processions. These are all issues that need to be discussed, as they fall within the Status Quo.

What is the ‘Status Quo’ that governs some of Jerusalem’s holiest sites?

Mar 24, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

A decree going back to 1852 governs the possession and rights of use for Catholic and Orthodox Christian communities at... Read more

On Dec. 21, 2023, leaders of the three communities responsible for the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher took part in a meeting for the presentation of the work in progress in the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem in 2023. From left to right: Father Francesco Patton, custos of the Holy Land; H. B. Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem; and H. B. Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Experts announce latest in restoration work on Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher 

Dec 22, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

New updates on the ongoing work at one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem were presented recently to leaders of... Read more

Daily procession of the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land (Calvary, Latin Chapel), Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem. Oct. 9, 2023.

In the Holy Land, Franciscans are keeping doors to holy sites open — for now

Oct 11, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

Jerusalem is semi-deserted, with many shops, schools, and offices closed, but the Custody of the Holy Land has kept holy... Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

New discoveries may change what we know about Jerusalem’s Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher

Sep 17, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

Ongoing archaeological investigations have now allowed scientists to trace “the entire material history of the religious complex.”  Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa blesses the congregation at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 4, 2021.

At Easter Sunday Mass, Patriarch Pizzaballa tells Holy Land Christians ‘nothing is impossible’

Apr 5, 2021

On Easter Sunday, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem urged Christians in the Holy Land to take courage and believe that... Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa prays in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem Dec. 4, 2020. Screenshot from livestream

Patriarch Pizzaballa makes solemn entry into the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Dec 4, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa made a solemn entry into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Friday as the new Latin Patriarch... Read more

Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre reopens with restrictions

May 23, 2020

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is reopening this weekend, after being closed in late March due to... Read more

Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed indefinitely

Mar 30, 2020

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre will remain closed until further notice. It is the first time in nearly 700 years... Read more

New tests have confirmed the age of the Holy Sepulchre

Nov 30, 2017

Following the recent restoration of the Holy Sepulchre, archaeologists have confirmed the construction dates of the structure surrounding what is... Read more

Christ's tomb within The Edicule (shrine) inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.

Coming soon: A virtual tour of the tomb of Jesus

Nov 9, 2017

By Perry West

Next week, the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C., will open a 3D virtual tour of the Holy Sepulchre, the... Read more

Christ's tomb within The Edicule (shrine) inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel.

Scientists: Jesus' tomb faces major risk of collapse

Mar 31, 2017

Having just undergone an extensive restoration, the site of Jesus' tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is at... Read more

A mosaic of the entombment of Christ at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Christ's burial slab uncovered for the first time in centuries

Oct 28, 2016

Have you ever wondered what the tomb of Jesus Christ looks like? National Geographic recently detailed the “moment of revelation”... Read more