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The '''Church of the Holy Sepulchre''', <ref>"Sepulchre" or "sepulcher" means "burial vault." From the Latin "sepulchrum." Based on "sepultus," meaning "to bury the dead."</ref> called '''Church of the Resurrection''' (''Anastasis'') by Eastern Christians, is a large Christian church now within the walled Old City of Jerusalem. The ground the church rests on is venerated by many Christians as [[Golgotha]], <ref>"Golgotha" in [[Aramaic]], based on the Hebrew word "Golgoleth" which means "skull," refers to a hill where the burial site of Jesus&mdash;the Church of Holy Sepulchre, in the Christian sector of the old city of Jerusalem. As in Matthew 27:33: "And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull." The meaning of the name may be either due to the practice of burying the skull. It can also refer to a rock that looks like a skull.</ref> the Hill of Calvary <ref> "Calvary" ([[w:Calvaria (skull)|calvaria]]) comes from the Latin for "skull" and is the name of the hill where Jesus was crucified and buried. Luke 23:33: "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him..."</ref> where the [[New Testament]] records that Jesus Christ was crucified. It also contains the place where Jesus was buried (the sepulchre). The church has been an important [[pilgrimage]] destination since the 4th century, and the portions of it administered by the Orthodox are in the care of the [[Church of Jerusalem]]. The Church commemorates the founding of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on [[September 13]]. 

The initial building was founded by [[Constantine the Great]] in 335, after he had removed a pagan temple on the site that was possibly the Temple of Aphrodite built by Hadrian. Constantine had sent his mother St. [[Helen]] to find the site; during excavations she is said to have discovered the [[True Cross]]. The church was built around the excavated hill of the Crucifixion, and was actually three connected churches built over the three different holy sites, including a great basilica (the ''[[Martyrium]]'' visited by the nun [[Egeria]] in the 380s), an enclosed colonnaded atrium (the ''Triportico'') built around the traditional Rock of Calvary, and a rotunda, called the ''Anastasis'' ("Resurrection"), which contained the remains of the cave that St. Helen and St. [[Makarios Macarius I of Jerusalem|Macarius]], [[Patriarch of Jerusalem]], had identified with the burial site of Jesus. The surrounding rock was cut away, and the Tomb was encased in a structure called the ''Edicule'' (from the Latin ''aediculum'', small building) in the center of the rotunda. The dome of the rotunda was completed by the end of the 4th century.

This building was damaged by fire in 614 when the Persians under [[w:Khosrau II |Khosrau II]] invaded Jerusalem and captured the Cross. In 630, Emperor [[Heraclius]], who had captured the Cross from the Persians, marched triumphantly into Jerusalem and restored the True Cross to the rebuilt Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

However, after a peace treaty between the Byzantine emperor [[w:Romanos III|Romanos III]] and the caliphate, the church was gradually rebuilt between 1024 and 1048. In 1048, a series of small chapels was erected on the site by [[Constantine IX Monomachos]] in 1048 under stringent conditions imposed by the caliphate. The rebuilt sites were taken by the knights of the [[First Crusade]] on [[July 15]], 1099. Crusader chief Godfrey of Bouillon, who became the first "king of Jerusalem," decided not to use the title "king" during his lifetime, and declared himself ''Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri'', "Protector (or Defender) of the Holy Sepulchre." The chronicler William of Tyre reports reported on the reconstruction. The Crusaders began to renovate the church in a Romanesque style and added a bell tower. These renovations , which unified the holy sites , were completed during the reign of Queen Melisende 50 years later in 1149. The church was also the site of the kingdom's scriptorium. The church was an inspiration for churches in Europe like Santa Gerusalemme in Bologna and the "Round Church" of Cambridge, England.

The After defeating the crusaders, [[w:Saladin|Saladin]] brought down the Cross and turned the church was into a mosque from 1187 to 1190. After an inspiration for churches in Europe like Santa Gerusalemme in Bologna and agreement with the Byzantine emperor [[W:Isaac II Angelos|Isaac II Angelos]], Saladin gave the church back to the "Round Church" Christians; by 1390 a number of Cambridge, Englandnew repairs were made to the church.

The Franciscan monks renovated it further Until the [[w:Fall of Constantinople|fall of Constantinople]] in 15551453, as it had been neglected despite increased numbers of pilgrims. A fire severely damaged the structure again in 1808, causing Orthodox Patriarchs kept the dome keys of the Rotunda to collapse and smashing the Edicule's exterior decorationchurch. The Rotunda and This law, by Patriarch Dorotheos, was renewed by Sultan [[w:Suleiman the Edicule's exterior were rebuilt magnificent|Suleiman]] in 18091517. The fire did not reach With the interior new law of the EdiculeSuleiman, and the marble decoration of the Tomb dates mainly they keys were given to a Muslim family in 1545. During this period the 1555 restoration. The current dome dates from 1870. Extensive modern renovations began in 1959, including a redecoration canopy of the dome from 1994 to 1997Holy Sepulchre was also repaired.

In 1545 Patriarch Germanos added a small dome to the church, and the Franciscan monks renovated it further in 1555, as it had been neglected despite increased numbers of pilgrims. During 1719-1720 the church was repaired further by the Orthodox and also the Catholics. In 1808, the Armenians set the church on fire, which severely damaged the structure, causing the dome of the rotunda to collapse and smashing the edicule's exterior decoration. The rotunda and the edicule's exterior were rebuilt in 1809 and 1810 by Orthodox people worldwide, especially by the Greek architect Komnenos Mitilineos.  In 1834 and 1836, two earthquakes damaged the church. The repairs from this damage began in 1867-1869 after a great delay, but the temple dome is finally renovated through the assistance of the Russians, the French and the Turkish. The 1808 fire did not reach the interior of the edicule, and the marble decoration of the tomb dates mainly to the 1555 restoration. The current dome dates from 1870.  In more recent times, the small dome was destroyed in 1927 by an earthquake registering 6.3 on the Richter scale. In 1931-33 the church was rebuilt through the financial assistance of the Greek State. In 1948 the big dome of the Church was damaged and repaired within the same year. By 1958, after an agreement between the three churches of Jerusalem (the Greeks, the Armenians, and the Catholics), extensive modern renovations began, including a rebuilding of the big dome (1978-1985) and a redecoration of the big dome (1994-1997). In 1995 the exterior of the dome of the katholikon was repaired with copper, and restoration works continue to the present time. Several Christian communions cooperate (sometimes acrimoniously) in the administration and maintenance of the church and its grounds, under a fiat of ''status quo'' that was issued by the Sublime Porte in 1852, to end the violent local bickering. The three, first appointed when Crusaders held Jerusalem, are the [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]], the [[Church of Armenia|Armenian Apostolic]] and [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] churchesChurches. These remain the primary custodians of the church. In the 19th century, the [[Church of Alexandria (Coptic)|Coptic Orthodox]], the [[Church of Ethiopia|Ethiopian Orthodox]] and the [[Church of Antioch (Jacobite)|Syrian Orthodox]] acquired lesser responsibilities, which include shrines and other structures within and around the building. An agreement regulates times and places of worship for each communion. For centuries, two neutral neighbour neighboring Muslim families appointed by Saladin, the Nuseibeh and Joudeh families, were the custodians of the key to the single door.

==Current configuration Layout of the Holy SepulchreChurch of the Resurrection==[[Image:Tomb The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is located in the Christian quarters of Christthe old city, on the west side.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The Tomb church can be approached through a gate from the St. Helena alley. *'''Exterior Courtyard''' - Through the gate of [[Jesus Christ]]]]In the center St. Helena alley there is a large open courtyard outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Church. On the north side of this yard are two main doors; the left door is the ''"Holy Entrance"'', which leads into the church, underneath and the right entrance has been permanently blocked. On either side of the courtyard are a few small chapels. During Holy Week this is the location where pilgrims gather to see the largest dome (recently renovated)Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and other jurisdictions, lays hold a traditional ceremony of the washing of the feet, in honour of Christ's washing the feet of his apostles and disciples before his crucifixion. *'''The Holy Entrance''' is the main door into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre itself. This temple There is used a tiny secondary door built into this main door; the keys for the door are kept by a Muslim family, established in 1520 AD by the Sultan Suleiman. A ritual ceremony has been handed down, involving the opening and closing of the church every day since then. The doors are surrounded by three marble columns on either side. In 1549, the left marble column was torn when the Holy Light came through it instead of coming from the Tomb of Christ inside the church; that year, Sultan Murat had forbidden Patriarch Sofronios IV to go into the church to celebrate the ceremony of the Resurrection, at the request of the Armenian patriarch. Sofronios, the clergy, and all the faithful stood outside the main doors and prayed and chanted the service&mdash;the Armenian patriarch left embarrassed and the sultan issued a ''[[firman]]'' that recognised the authority of the Greek Orthodox ChurchPatriarchate of Jerusalem. *'''The Holy Anointing''':''Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury'' ([[Gospel of John|GreeksJohn]]19:39-40, ''see also'' [[Roman Catholic ChurchGospel of Matthew|LatinsMatthew]] 27:57-59). :Immediately upon entering, the church opens up to the southern hall. On the floor lies the '''Stone of the Anointing''' or '''Unction'''. According to tradition, this is the spot where the church commemorates the preparation of the body of Christ for burial by [[Joseph of Arimathea]] and [[Oriental OrthodoxNicodemus the Righteous|Oriental OrthodoxNicodemus]], after he was removed from the cross. Christ's body was anointed with myrrh and aloes and wrapped in a clean linen cloth for the burial according to the Jewish tradition of those days.  :The slab is made from limestone marble and dates to 1808, replacing the previous 12th century slab when it was destroyed. It The ownership of the slab is a red granite edificeshared between the four main Christian churches. Over the marble slab hang large opulent lamps that have been donated by the Armenians, Greeks, Copts, and Latins. On the outside wall of the '''Catholicon''', behind the stone, with is a large number mosaic depicting the anointing of giant candlesticks Christ for burial. *'''Latin calvary''':''... and he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the front Hebrew Golgotha'' (John 19:17). ''... and when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him ...'' ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 23:33). :To the right of the ''Stone of the Anointing'' are a series of steep stairs that lead up to the second floor&mdash;the tip of itGolgotha. The Armenians, first room is the place where Christ was nailed to the cross. This chapel is a Catholic Franciscan altar dedicated to the Nailing of the Cross (Station 11 of the Latins ''Via Dolorosa''). *The '''Rock of Golgotha''' ("Greek Calvary"):''... and they crucified him ...'' (Matthew 27:35) :Adjacent to this chapel is the second room&mdash;the Greek Orthodox Calvary&mdash;the Greeks all serve Liturgy or Mass daily inside spot where Christ was crucified and covers the Holy Sepulchreactual Rock of Golgotha. It For the other Christian Churches this is used for also known as Station 12 of the ''Via Dolorosa''. The entire rock can be seen through the Holy Saturday ceremony glass covering on either side of the altar, and beneath the altar is a small opening that allows [[Holy Firepilgrim]]s to touch the rock. *The '''chapel of [[Adam]]''' is located immediately beneath Golgotha. This is a small area of worship that used to be known as the "Area of the Skull" and also the chapel of "Melchizedek." In accordance with tradition, which the name of 'skull' and 'Adam' is derived from the fact that this is celebrated by the spot where they found the skull and relics of Adam. The theology of the Orthodox Patriarch Church believes that this location is not a coincidence since the purpose of the crucifixion is directly connected to the story of JerusalemAdam and his expulsion from Eden. To its rear, within an ironwork cage-like structure, lies Having found the bones of Adam underneath Golgotha symbolises the cleansing of the bones of the man who committed the altar used first sin by the Coptic Orthodoxblood of Christ dripping down from the cross. Past that *The '''Chapel of the Crowning of the Thorns''' or "Derision" (Greek) is located at the base of Golgotha, inside immediately to the right. There is a rearsmall fragment of the column, very rough hewned chapelbrought from the Prison of Christ, where the [[Church soldiers put on Christ a purple robe and a crown of Antioch thorns (Jacobitecf. John 19:2)|Syriac Orthodox]] celebrate their [[liturgy|liturgies]] on Sundays. To  *The '''Chapel of St. Helen''', also known to the Armenians as the Armenian Chapel of St. Gregory, is located at the base of the 29 stairs near the right ''Crowning of the sepulchre Thorns''. Inside the chapel is her throne and the Roman Catholic pilgrim of the good thief; an large areahas been preserved that has the original mosaic from the church. *The '''Chapel of St. Vartan''' (Armenian) can be accessed through a door on the north side of the Chapel of St. Helen. In the 1970s, this area was discovered and excavated and the findings include remnants of walls built by Hadrian in the second century. One of these walls has a stone etched with a merchant ship and an inscription "DOMINE IVIMVS" which consists translates "Lord, we shall go." It is estimated that this stone dates from before the completion of a large square the Byantine church, ca. 330 AD. This chapel is locked and another private chapel for not normally available to the Franciscan monkspublic. Immediately in  *The '''Chapel of the front Finding of the Sepulchre Cross''', according to tradition, is what would be the main area where St. Helen discovered the True Cross during the course of the church for Church's excavations around 330 AD. She discovered three crosses. To discern which of the congregationthree crosses belonged to Christ, and which belonged to the thieves, a sick man was brought to touch each one in turn. He was miraculously healed by only one and this is the one that has since been walled off distributed to all Christian Patriarchates across the world. *The '''Chapel of the Division of the Robe''' (Armenian):John 19:24 *The '''Chapel of the Division of the Robe''' is the location at which the soldiers parted His raiment amongst themselves and used by casted lots for his vesture (cf. John 19:24). *The '''Chapel of St. Longinus'''' (Greek) is dedicated to Longinus the Orthodox. It features a large Centurion ([[iconostasisOctober 16]]), a Roman soldier who served in Judea under the command of the governor, and two thrones for headed the superior group of soldiers escorting Christ to Golgotha (cf. Matthew 27:54). *The '''Prison of Christ''' is a small dark area where those crucifying Christ put him temporarily before crucifying him. *The '''Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene''':''... and Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus beheld where he was laid'' (Mark 15:47). :On the north side of the Rotunda, there is a small Franciscan chapel called "''Mi mou aptou''" ("Touch me not") dedicated to St. [[PatriarchMary Magdalene]]. Past that, there is In accordance with the entrance areatradition, which features the stone Mary of annointing which Magdala accompanied Jesus' dead body on his way to the cross and burial and the circular marble plaque that is believed at this spot marks the location where she and Mary beheld where he was laid but also the spot where Christ appeared to have been prepared for burial uponMary Magdalene after his resurrection (cf. John 20:11-17). Up the stairs This chapel belongs to the right Catholic Church and is named "''Mi mou aptou''," in honour of that area, Christ's words. *The '''Syrian chapel''' is located on the most lavishly decorated part east end of the church, Church of the chapel where Jesus is believed to have been crucifiedSepulchre. This area was used for burials in Christ's time. * The '''"Catholicon"''' is run by the main Orthodox, while church facing the Roman Catholics have an altar to the sideTomb of Christ. Additionally, there It is a subterranean chapel which large rectangular building with a basilica dome. In the middle of the church is run by the Armenians, "navel of the earth" which commemorates symbolises the finding spiritual centre of the Earth (cf. [[True CrossBook of Ezekiel|Ezekiel]]38:12). The church has two Patriarchal thrones: the left throne is for the Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and the throne on the right is for the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. *The small '''Coptic chapel''' is located on the west side of the "edicule" with a separate entrance to the chapel.

In the 19th century, a number *The '''Chapel of scholars disputed the identification of Angel''' is immediately outside the church with the actual site Tomb of Jesus's crucifixion and burial. They reasoned that Christ; the Church was first room inside the city walls, while early accounts (''e"edicule.g.''" According to tradition, [[Epistle to the Hebrews|Hebrews]] 13:12) described these events as outside the city walls. On the morning after his arrival altar that is in Jerusalem, Charles George Gordon selected this room contains a stone which is part of a rock-cut larger stone that was rolled away from Christ's tomb in a cultivated area outside on the day of the walls as resurrection. On this stone is an imprint of a more likely site for hand; it is believed to be the burial imprint of Jesusone of the angels who sat on the stone and announced the resurrection. This site There is usually referred to as always a Greek monk in this room who "guards" the Garden Tomb to distinguish it from the Holy Sepulchreof Christ and who symbolically represents this angel.

However===The Holy Sepulchre chapel===[[Image:Tomb of Christ.jpg|right|thumb|350px|The Tomb of [[Jesus Christ]]]]In the center of the Holy Sepulchre Church, underneath the largest dome (recently renovated), lies the Holy Sepulchre itself, the city walls "Heart" of the Sepulchre. had been expanded This temple is used by Herod Agrippa all the [[Orthodox Church|Greeks]] (Orthodox), [[Roman Catholic Church|Latins]] and [[Oriental Orthodox|Oriental Orthodox]]. It is a red granite edifice, with a large number of giant candlesticks in 41-44 the front of it. The Armenians, the Latins, and only then enclosed the site of Greeks all serve Liturgy or Mass daily inside the Holy Sepulchre. To quote It is used for the Holy Saturday ceremony of the Israeli scholar Dan Bahat[[Holy Fire]], former City Archaeologist which is celebrated by the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem::"We may not be absolutely certain . To its rear, within an ironwork cage-like structure, lies the altar used by the Coptic Orthodox. Past that , inside a rear, very rough-hewn chapel, the [[Church of Antioch (Jacobite)|Syriac Orthodox]] celebrate their [[liturgy|Liturgies]] on Sundays. To the right of the sepulchre is the Roman Catholic area, which consists of a large square chapel and another private chapel for the Franciscan monks. Immediately in the site front of the Holy Sepulchre Church is what would be the main area of the church for the congregation, which has been walled off and used by the Orthodox. It features a large [[iconostasis]], and two thrones for the superior and the [[Patriarch]]. Past that, there is the entrance area, which features the site stone of anointing which Jesus' dead body is believed to have been prepared for burialupon. Up the stairs to the right of that area, is the most lavishly decorated part of the church, but we the chapel where Jesus is believed to have no other site that can lay a claim nearly as weightybeen crucified. This area is run by the Orthodox, and we really while the Roman Catholics have no reason an altar to reject the authenticity side. Additionally, there is a subterranean chapel which is run by the Armenians, which commemorates the finding of the site[[True Cross]]." (1986)

===Other chapels within In the Church 19th century, a number of scholars disputed the Resurrection===There are eight minor chapels within identification of the church with the actual site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. They reasoned that the church was inside the Resurrectioncity walls, while early accounts, e.*The chapel of g., [[AdamBook of Hebrews|Hebrews]]13:12, located immediately north and beneath Golgotha.::This is a small area of worship that used to be known described these events as outside the "Area of city walls. On the Skull" and also the chapel of "Melchizedek". In accordance with traditionmorning after his arrival in Jerusalem, Charles George Gordon selected a rock-cut tomb in a cultivated area outside the name of 'skull' and 'Adam' is derived from the fact that this is the spot where they found walls as a more likely site for the skull and relics burial of AdamJesus. The theology of the Orthodox church believes that this location This site is not a coincidence since the purpose of usually referred to as the crucifixion is directly connected Garden Tomb to the story of Adam and his expulsion from Eden. Having found the bones of Adam underneath Golgotha symbolises the cleansing of the bones of the man who committed the first sin by the blood of Christ dripping down distinguish it from the crossHoly Sepulchre.

*The chapel However, the city walls had been expanded by Herod Agrippa in 41-44 and only then enclosed the site of Stthe Holy Sepulchre. [[Mary Magdalene]] To quote the Israeli scholar Dan Bahat, also known as the chapel former City Archaeologist of "Mi mou aptou"Jerusalem:::In accordance with Latin tradition, "We may not be absolutely certain that the site of the circular marble plaque that Holy Sepulchre Church is at this spot marks the location where Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection (John 10site of Jesus' burial, but we have no other site that can lay a claim nearly as weighty, 17). This chapel belongs and we really have no reason to reject the Latins and is named "Mi mou aptouauthenticity of the site"(''Biblical Archaeology Review'', in hounour of Christ's wordsMay/June 1986, but is also named Chapel of Stp. Mary Magdalene. Over this location is a huge painting depicting this event38).

Each year on the day before [[Pascha]], an awe-inspiring event takes place in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At noon of the Holy Saturday, the [[Church of Jerusalem|Patriarch of Jerusalem]] with his escort - &mdash;archpriests, priests , and deacons &mdash;and the Armenian Patriarch enter the Holy Sepulchre. After finishing prayers, a miraculous light appears--; the [[Patriarch]] of [[Jerusalem]] lights two candles from it, then exits the sepulchre and lights the candles of the non-Chalcedonian patriarchs outside. Others' candles light spontaneously. For the first several minutes from the fire's appearance, it does not burn to the touch , and many pilgrims immerse their faces and hands in the flame without being harmed.  Known as the Holy Light, or [[Holy Fire]], this miracle has been occurring in this same place since at least the fourth century, if not earlier. In 1579, when the Orthodox patriarch had been shut out of the sepulchre by the Turkish authorities and an Oriental Orthodox patriarch, the holy fire split open a column outside the church to reach the Orthodox patriarch and believers. The split column is still part of the church. Several other incidents (including two 11th century Roman Catholic priests who received God's punishment for attempting to obtain the Holy Fire for themselves) attest to the miracle's antiquity and authenticity.<ref>[http://www.holyfire.org/eng/index.htm Description of the Miracle of Holy Fire that happens every year in Jerusalem]</ref>

Known as There is another version of the Holy Lightstory. After Prince Ibrahim Pasha, Mohammed Ali Pasha's son, or had conquered [[Holy FireJerusalem]]and Syria in the year 1832 A.D., this miracle has been occuring he invited the [[Coptic]] [[Pope]] [[Peter VII (Mankarius) of Alexandria|Peter VII]] to visit Jerusalem and attend to the service of the appearance of the light on Bright Saturday from the Sepulchre of the Lord Christ in Jerusalem as the Greek Orthodox [[Patriarch]]s did every year. The Pope accepted the invitation, and when he arrived, he was received with honor and reverence and he entered Jerusalem with a great procession and a splendid celebration, in which the governor, the rulers and the heads of the different Christian Churches participated. He realized with his wisdom that if he ministered alone in the Holy Sepulchre that would cause animosity between the Copts and the Greeks. The Pope asked the Pasha to relieve him from this same place since at least service, but he asked him to participate with the Greek Patriarch on the condition that he would be their third, for he doubted the authenticity of the light. On Bright Saturday the church of the Holy Sepulchre was crowded with the fourth centuryworshipers, if not earlierand the Pasha ordered the people to evacuate the church to the spacious outer courtyard. When the time to start the service came the two Patriarchs and the Pasha entered the Holy Sepulchre to pray the customary prayers. In 1579the specific time, when the Orthodox patriarch had been shut light burst out of the sepulchre by Sepulchre in a way that terrified the Turkish authorities Pasha, who became dazed and an Oriental Orthodox patriarchconfused, and the holy fire split open a column Pope attended to him until he recovered. The people outside in the courtyard were not deprived from the blessing of the light since one of the pillars of the western gate of the church split and the light appeared to reach them from the pillar. This incident increased the Orthodox patriarch reverence and believers. The split column is still part respect of the churchPope before the Pasha. Several other incidents (including two 11th century Roman Catholic priests who received God's punishment for attempting to obtain His holiness the Pope made many repairs and renovations in the Holy Fire for themselves) attest to church of the miracle's antiquity and authenticityresurrection. <ref>[http://www.holyfirecopticchurch.orgnet/engsynaxarium/indexg_4_6_2006.htm Holyfire.org html#2 The Departure of Pope Peter (engPetros)VII, the One Hundred and Ninth Patriarch]Coptic Orthodox Synaxarium</ref>This is of course the version of the copts who don't admit the orthodox one but it is obviously much later than it.

Another version (probably) ==The Brotherhood of the above story reads as follows. After prince Ibrahim Pasha, Mohammed Ali Pasha's son, had conquered [[Jerusalem]] and Syria year 1832 A.D., he invited the [[Coptic]] [[Pope]] [[Peter VII (Mankarius) Holy Sepulchre==The Patriarch of Alexandria|Peter VII]] to visit Jerusalem and attend to leads the service Brotherhood of the appearance of the light on Bright Saturday from the Holy Sepulchre . This brotherhood consists of the Lord Christ in Jerusalem as the Greek Orthodox [[Patriarch]]s did every year. The Pope accepted the invitationall metropolitans, archbishops, bishops, and when he arrivedarchimandrites, he was received with honor and reverence and he entered Jerusalem with a great procession and a splendid celebrationpriests, in which the governormonks, the rulers and deacons belonging to the heads patriarchate. The purpose of the different Christian denominations participated. He realized with his wisdom that if he minister alone this group is to guide Orthodox Christians in the Holy Sepulcher that would cause animosity between the Copts Land and advocate the GreeksOrthodox faith. The Pope asked Within the Pasha to relieve him from this servicebrotherhood, but he asked him to participate with there is another subgroup called the Greek Patriarch on "guards." The guards are a specific group of monks from the condition that he will be their third, for he doubted the authenticity Holy [[Monastery of the lightSs. On Bright Saturday the church Constantine and Helen (Jerusalem)|Monastery of the Holy Sepulchre was crowded with the worshipers, the Pasha ordered the people to evacuate the church to the spacious outer courtyardSs. When the time to start the service came the two Patriarchs Constantine and the Pasha entered the Holy Sepulcher to pray the customary prayersHelen]]. In These monks are given the specific time, role of guarding the light burst out Chapel of the Sepulcher in a way that terrified Sepulchre (the Pasha, who became in a daze and confusion, tomb of Christ) and defending the Pope attended to him until he recoveredfaith. The people outside in the courtyard were not deprived from the blessing of the light since There will always be at least one of guardian within the pillars Chapel of the western gate of the church split Angel. They ensure that respectable and appropriate conduct is shown by [[pilgrim]]s at the light appeared to them from the pillartomb of Christ. This incident increased the reverence and respect The order is considered a continuation of the Pope original group, established well before the PashaSt. His holiness the Pope made many repairs and renovations Helen's visit in the church of Resurrection. [http://www.copticchurch.net/synaxarium/g_4_6_2006326.html#2 Source: Coptic Orthodox Synaxarium]

*Bahat, Dan (1986). "Does the Holy Sepulchre church mark the burial of Jesus?", ''Biblical Archaeology Review'' '''12'''(3) (May/June) 26-45.*Biddle, Martin (1999). ''The Tomb of Christ''. Phoenix Mill: Sutton Publishing. (ISBN 0-7509-1926-4)*J. Patrich, ''The Early Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Light of Excavations and Restorations'', Yosam Tsifiir, Eded., Ancient Churches Revealed, Isreal Israel Exploration Society, Jerusalem, 1993. (ISBN 965-221-016-1)<references/>

*[http://www.holysepulchrechurchoftheholysepulchre.com/ net Church of the Holy Sepulchrefacts and information for visitors]: Visitor information and detailed history of the building.*[http://www. jerusalemexperience.com/category/jerusalem-church/ Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem]: Floorplan and images (Sacred Destinations Travel Guide)*[http://wwwocafs.trekkeroca.co.il/englishorg/israel-sepFeastSaintsViewer.htm asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102593 Commemoration of the Founding of the Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) at Jerusalem] ([[OCA]]: Photos)*[http://www.historychanneltrekker.co.comil/classroomenglish/unesco/jerusalem/about_sepulchreisrael-sep.html History Channel site]: htm Church of the Holy Sepulchre- Jerusalem Travel Information]*[http://home.infionline.net/~ddisse/egeria.html Itinerarium Egeriae] Egeria's description in the 380s]*[http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/1631/cohs_history.html James E. Lancaster, "A brief history of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre"]*[http://www.holylandphotos.org/browse.asp?s=1,2,6,19,321 Photos of the Church of the Holy SepulchreSepulcher]Holy Land Photos*[http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/Holy_Land/Holy_Sepulchre_Church/index.shtml The Church of the Holy Sepulchre Church Photosor Sacred Tomb] - from Orthodoxphotos.com*[http://ocafswww.ocabiblewalks.orgcom/Sites/FeastSaintsLifeSepulcher.asp?FSID=102593 Commemoration of the Founding of the html BibleWalks: Church of the Resurrection (Holy Sepulchre) ] Photo album'''World headlines'''*[http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=662901 ''Christian fist fight at JerusalemHoly Sepulchre''] 08:29 AEST Mon Nov 10 2008. ninemsn.*[http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/mfaarchive/1990_1999/1999/9/the%20tomb%20of%20christ The Tomb of Christ]. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 5 September, 1999.  [[Category:Churches|Holy Sepulchre]] - [[OCACategory: Churches in Palestine|Holy Sepulchre]] website