Could this unassuming entrance lead to one of Christianity’s most sacred sites? We’re about to descend into the Tomb of the Virgin Mary. This ancient site nestled in the Kidron Valley holds immense significance for Christians worldwide. It is believed to be the burial place of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The Tomb of the Virgin Mary is not just a historical site. It is a place of deep spiritual importance. Eastern Christian tradition teaches that Mary died a natural death. They call it the Dormition of the Theotokos or the falling asleep. Her soul was received by Christ and her body resurrected on the third day. Then she was taken up to heaven. According to this belief, the Tomb of the Virgin Mary was found empty on the third day.
Roman Catholic teaching also holds that Mary was assumed into heaven in bodily form. This is known as the Assumption. The question of whether Mary actually died a physical death remains open in the Catholic view. Pope John Paul II stated in 1997 that Mary experienced natural death before her Assumption.
Let’s delve into the history and archaeology of this revered site. In 1972 archaeologist Bellarmino Bagatti excavated the site. He found evidence of an ancient cemetery dating back to the 1st century. The initial structure had three chambers. The inner chamber was the actual tomb. This aligned with the customs of that period.
Later the tomb was isolated from the rest of the necropolis. This was done by cutting away the surrounding rock face. An edicule was built on the tomb. In the 5th century a small upper church was built by Patriarch Juvenal. It was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 614. The church was rebuilt and destroyed several times. However, the crypt remained untouched. Muslims consider it the burial place of the mother of the prophet Isa or Jesus.
During the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem the church was rebuilt in 1130 by the Benedictines. It became known as the Abbey of St. Mary of the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Saladin destroyed the upper church in 1187. He used its masonry to repair Jerusalem’s walls. But he left the lower church intact. He removed all Christian imagery.
The Greek Orthodox Church had been the guardians of the Holy Places. In 1757 they tried to reclaim various sites. The Franciscans who had owned the church since 1363 were forced to leave. Since then the Greek Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church of Jerusalem have owned the Tomb of the Virgin Mary.
The cruciform church shields the tomb. It was created partly by cutting through rock and partly with masonry. A wide descending staircase leads to the tomb. The upper section dates from the 12th century. On the right is the chapel of Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne. It was initially built to hold the tomb of Queen Melisende of Jerusalem. The Greek Orthodox removed her sarcophagus. On the left is the chapel of Saint Joseph. It was initially built as the tomb of two other female relatives of Baldwin II.
At the bottom of the staircase is the edicule that contains Mary’s tomb. Altars of the Greeks and Armenians are in the east apse. A niche south of the tomb indicates the direction of Mecca. It was installed when Muslims had joint rights to the church.
Inside the Tomb of the Virgin Mary you can find the icon called Panagia Ierosolymitissa. Tradition says it was miraculously created without human intervention. As we leave the Tomb of the Virgin Mary reflect on the layers of history and faith. This site represents the enduring legacy of Mary. Her story continues to inspire millions around the world.