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:"We may not be absolutely certain that the site of the Holy Sepulchre Church is the site of Jesus' burial, but we have no other site that can lay a claim nearly as weighty, and we really have no reason to reject the authenticity of the site." (1986)

Each year, during the Holy Week services, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and its Bishops hold a traditional ceremony of the washing of the feet, in honour of Christ washing the feet of his apostles before his crucifixion.

The entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is important to the church tradition, since a large crack in one of the entrance pillars on the left, is attributed to a miracle of the Holy Light occuring during a Resurrection ceremony. The exterior facade of the church was built by the Cursadors sometime before 1180.

Immediately upon entering the Church of the Resurrection lies the '''Stone of the Unction'''. This is the spot which commemorated the preparation of the body of Christ for burial. The current slab, is made from limestone and dates to 1808, when the previous 12th century slab was destroyed. The ownership of the slab is shared betnwee the four main Christian churches. Over the 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 of the Unction, is a large mosaic depicting the annointing of Christ for burial.

To the right of the Stone of the Unction are a series of steep stairs that lead up to the Golgotha. The 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 Via Dolorosa).

Adjacent to this chapel, is the second room of Golgotha. The Greek Orthodox Calvary is the spot where Christ was crucified and covers the actual Rock of Golgotha. For the other Christian churches this is also known as Station 12 of the Via Dolorosa. The entire rock, can be seen through the glass covering on either side of the altar, and beneath the altar is a small opening that allows a [[pilgrim]]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, the name of 'skull' and 'Adam' is derived from the fact that this is the spot where they found the skull and relics of Adam. The theology of the Orthodox church believes that this location is not a coincidence since the purpose of the crucifixion is directly connected 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 from the cross.

Immediately at the base of Golgotha, to the right, is the small Chapel of Derision (Crowning with Thorns).

The Chapel of St. Helen is also known as the Armenian Chapel of St. Gregory.

The Chapel of St. Vartan 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 2nd century. One of these walls has a stone etched with a merchant ship and an inscription "DOMINE IVIMVS" which translates "Lord we shall go". It is estimated that this stone dates from before the completion of the Byantium church, ca. 330 AD. This chapel is locked and not normally available to the public.

According to the tradition of the church, this is the area where St. Helen discovered the True Cross during the course of the Churches excavations around 330AD. She discovered three crosses. To discern which of the three 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 distributed to all Christian Patriarchates across the world.

Also known as the chapel of "Mi mou aptou". In accordance with Latin tradition, the circular marble plaque that is at this spot marks the location where Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection (John 10, 17). This chapel belongs to the Latins and is named "Mi mou aptou", in hounour of Christ's words, but is also named Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene. Over this location is a huge painting depicting this event.

The Syrian chapel is located on the east end of the Church of the Sepulchre. This area was used for burials in Christ's time.

This is the large church looking towards the Tomb of Christ, the Holy Sepulchre chapel. The church shares two Patriarchal thrones, the left throne is for the Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch; on the right si the throne 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.

The Chapel of the Angel is immediately outside the Tomb of Christ; the first room inside the "edicule". According to tradition, the altar that is in this room contains a stone and it is believed that it is part of a larger stone that was rolled away from Christ's tomb on the day of the Resurrection. On this stone is an imprint of a hand, it is believed that this imprint is the imprint of one of the Angels who sat on the stone and announced the Resurrection. There is always a Greek monk in this room who "guards" the Tomb of Christ who symbolically represents this Angel(s).

==The yearly miracle of the Holy Light==

:''Main article: [[Holy Fire]]''