Access to the Holy Sepulchre is available to everyone at no cost


Summer 5am - 8:45pm
(September 8:30 - October 8:00)
Winter 4am - 7pm
(March 7:30)

Many people visit, mornings are quiter
Weekdays are less crowded than weekends

Easter is usually celebrated by Catholic
and Orthodox on different dates.
The Church is often very crowded around these dates.
Saturday of Orthodox Easter is the
Celebration of the Holy Fire, during which the
church is completely full (and wonderful)

Modest dress is Required.
Shoulders and knees should be covered.
Headdress is not required
Be respectful of the many services always taking place all around the church.
Consider hiring a guide for historical context
Camera use is unrestricted, but be respectful of ongoing services

Hours:

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem stands as Christianity's most sacred shrine, venerated as the site where the central events of Christian salvation occurred. For believers across denominations, this ancient church encompasses the locations of Jesus Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection

Christians believe the Holy Sepulchre contains the two most sacred locations in Christianity: Golgotha (Calvary), where Jesus was crucified, and the tomb where he was buried and from which he resurrected. The image behind these words are the inside of the tomb. Underneath the Marble slab still lies the stone bench the body of Christ was laid upon before his resurection. These sites represent the culmination of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

The events commemorated at the Holy Sepulchre form the cornerstone of Christian belief: that Jesus Christ, being both fully human and fully divine, willingly sacrificed himself to atone for humanity's sins. His subsequent resurrection on the third day is the definitive victory over death and sin, offering the promise of eternal life to believers.

These are not merely historical events but the pivotal moment in all of human history—where divine intervention transformed humanity's relationship with God. The physical locations where these events occurred therefore take on extraordinary significance as the tangible connection to this divine mystery.

The identification of the Holy Sepulchre as the authentic site of Christ's death and resurrection dates to the early 4th century. According to historical accounts, local Christian communities preserved the memory of these sacred locations despite earlier Roman attempts to obscure them by building pagan temples over the sites.

The Holy Sepulchre's authenticity is supported by several compelling factors including:
 -- The continuous tradition linking the site to Jesus's death and resurrection dates back to the earliest Christian communities in Jerusalem
-- The location aligns with biblical descriptions placing Jesus's crucifixion outside the city walls (the site was outside Jerusalem's walls in the 1st century) yet near enough to be accessible
-- Archaeological evidence confirming the site's use as a stone quarry and tomb area in the 1st century

For most believers, however, historical debates remain secondary to the spiritual reality the site represents. The Holy Sepulchre serves as a powerful sacramental sign—a physical place where heaven and earth intersect, and where the divine entered decisively into human history.

Custodians

  1. Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

  2. Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (Roman Catholic)

  3. Armenian Apostolic Church (Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem)

  4. Coptic Orthodox Church (Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem)

  5. Syriac Orthodox Church (Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem)

  6. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem)

Information

Christian Information Center

good resouce for information about jerusalem holy sites, operating times, service times, photo permission, etc.

Great History Overview by Justin Kelley here and on Amazon Here

An excellent overview of the Aedicule (the building over the tomb of christ ) by Martin Biddle

Recent archeology, excavations and repair of the inside of the Tomb itself by National Geographic

Research papers about the holy sepulchre