Beneath our feet lies ground revered by Christians and Muslims. We stand before the Chapel of the Ascension in Jerusalem. This chapel marks a spot of immense spiritual importance.
The Holy Monastery of the Ascension has a rich history. It began as a Christian church. Later it transformed into an Islamic mosque. Today it welcomes people of all faiths.
Early Christians gathered secretly in a cave on the Mount of Olives. This was almost 300 years after Jesus’ death. They sought a place to worship. In 313 AD Christianity became legal.
By 384 AD the place of gathering had moved. It moved to where we stand now. Here Egeria witnessed the celebration of the Ascension.
Poimenia financed a Byzantine-style church. This happened between 384 and 390 AD. She was a wealthy Roman woman. The church was built around Christ’s last footprints. It was known as Imbomon.
Persian armies destroyed the Imbomon in 614 AD. This happened during the Byzantine-Sassanid Wars.
The church was rebuilt in the late 7th century. Bishop Arculf visited Jerusalem around 680 AD. He described a round building open to the sky. It had three porticoes. Eight lamps shone at night. Inside was an edicule. It contained Christ’s footprints in the dust.
Crusaders rebuilt the church in the 12th century. Saladin’s armies later decimated it. Only a partially intact octagonal wall remained. This surrounded an inner shrine. The structure still stands today. It has been altered since Saladin’s conquest in 1187.
After Jerusalem fell in 1187 Christians left. Saladin established the Mount of Olives as a waqf. The chapel became a mosque. A mihrab was installed. Saladin also ordered a second mosque built nearby. This was for Muslim worship. Christians could still visit the main chapel.
Tensions rose between Muslims and Christians. By the 15th century the eastern section was divided. It was no longer used for religious purposes.
Today the Chapel of the Ascension is under the Islamic Waqf’s authority. People of all faiths can visit for a fee.
The chapel’s main structure is from the Crusader era. The stone dome and octagonal drum are Muslim additions. The arches and marble columns are original. The entrance faces west. The south wall has a mihrab. It indicates the direction of Mecca.
Inside the edicule is the Ascension Rock. It is said to contain Christ’s right footprint. The left footprint was taken to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The faithful believe Jesus made the impression. It was as he ascended into Heaven. It is venerated as his last point of contact with Earth.
Nearby is the zawiya of Rabi’a al-‘Adawiyya. It consists of a mosque and an underground chamber. The chamber may be a burial crypt from the Byzantine period.
Each of the three Abrahamic religions attributes the tomb to a different female figure. Christians associate it with Saint Pelagia. Jews associate it with the prophetess Huldah. Muslims associate it with Rabi’a al-‘Adawiyya.
Across the street is a Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Ascension. South of the chapel is the Pater Noster Church. The Russian Orthodox Convent of the Ascension is nearby.
The Chapel of the Ascension stands as a testament to history. It has been a place of worship for centuries. It continues to be a site of reverence for many. It is a place where heaven and earth seem to meet.