Golgotha

Golgotha (Greek: Κρανιου-τοπος (Kraniou Topos); Latin: Calvariae Locus; Aramaic: Gûlgaltâ - all denoting "place of the skull") is the place where Christ was crucified just outside the walls of old Jerusalem.

The name "Golgotha" could have been adopted since, historically, this place may have originally been a place of public executions where the skulls of the executed could be seen; or, perhaps the name may have been derived from a neighboring cemetery, or may have been connected with the shape of the ground, a hill which may have resembled a skull. According to tradition, Golgotha was the burial place of Adam's skull and a shrine exists at this site. The location was identified in 326 AD by Empress Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. It was on the northwest side of the ancient city.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is built around the ground, venerated by Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christians as "Golgotha" (known in the West as the Hill of Calvary) which the New Testament records Jesus Christ was crucified ^{citation needed}.

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See also

• Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Holy Land

External Links

• Calvary at Wikipedia.

Sources

• Rev. Dr. Nicon D. Patrinacos (M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon)). A Dictionary of Greek Orthodoxy - Λεξικον Ελληνικης Ορθοδοξιας. Light & Life Publishing, Minnesota, 1984.