According to Byzantine tradition, from the beginning of the 5th century, after Jesus ascended to heaven, his mother, Mary, lived in Jerusalem with the apostle John, who guarded her as a son. One day, an angel appears in front of her and informs her that within three days, she will end her life. In these three days, all the apostles of Jesus gathered quickly in Jerusalem to be with her. At the end of the day, she didn’t die but went into a coma forever. When Mary falls asleep, Jesus gathers her soul, and the apostles have nothing more than the body. The apostles take the body to the burial ground. Tradition says the grave is inside the church. Therefore, the tomb inside the church is empty.
In the church, one is greeted by a magnificent mosaic adorning the wall. It depicts Mary cradling baby Jesus, who holds a book bearing the inscription “I am the light.” Below them stand the prophets who heralded the advent of Christianity.
The church’s floor boasts an intricate mosaic with three circles, each bearing the Greek word “Hagia,” meaning “Holy.” This echoes the prophetic exclamation “Holy Holy Holy” from Isaiah, signifying the divine trinity and emitting rays of gospel light. Encircling these circles are the names of four prophets and symbols of the four evangelists, with the names of the apostles inscribed beyond.
Six chapels surround the main hall, one of which houses a marble statue of St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine order, gesturing peace with one hand and holding the rules of order with the other.
Given the church’s association with the Virgin Mary, feminine motifs abound. At the entrance stands a large pine cone statue symbolizing fertility, which hopeful women seeking pregnancy often touch, beseeching for their wishes to be granted.
Descending into the crypt, one encounters a statue of the sleeping Mary, while above, a splendid mosaic honors prominent feminine figures from the Bible and the New Testament, underscoring their strength and significance in history.
History
This church atop Mount Zion catches the eye from a distance with its expansive width and commanding position. Adjacent to it stands a bell tower with a clock, which, upon closer inspection, resembles a German soldier with a helmet and mustache.
Upon entering the church, one is greeted by a magnificent mosaic adorning the wall, depicting Mary cradling baby Jesus, who holds a book bearing the inscription “I am the light.” Below them stand the prophets who heralded the advent of Christianity.
The church’s floor boasts an intricate mosaic with three circles, each bearing the Greek word “Hagia,” meaning “Holy.” This echoes the prophetic exclamation “Holy Holy Holy” from Isaiah, signifying the divine trinity and emitting rays of gospel light. Encircling these circles are the names of four prophets and symbols of the four evangelists, with the names of the apostles inscribed beyond.
Six chapels surround the main hall, one of which houses a marble statue of St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine order, gesturing peace with one hand and holding the rules of order with the other.
Given the church’s association with the Virgin Mary, feminine motifs abound. At the entrance stands a large pine cone statue symbolizing fertility, which hopeful women seeking pregnancy often touch, beseeching for their wishes to be granted.
Descending into the crypt, one encounters a statue of the sleeping Mary, while above, a splendid mosaic honors prominent feminine figures from the Bible and the New Testament, underscoring their strength and significance in history.
Basic Information
Address: Mount Zion
Map
Christian Order: Catholic |German Benedictine.
Construction date: 1910.
Arrival options
| Bus lines | Bus lines from city center: 7, 18, 71, 72, 74 |
| Car | Use the taxi from downtown Jerusalem. Tell the driver to get to Mount Zion. From the city center, it will cost approximately 35-50 to get from the city center to Mount Zion traffic. |
| Taxi | Use the taxi from downtown Jerusalem. Tell the driver to get to Mount Zion. From the city center it will cost approximately 35-50 to get from the city center to Mount Zion traffic. |
| Walking | Use the taxi from downtown Jerusalem. Tell the driver to get to Mount Zion. From the city center, it will cost approximately 35-50 to get from the city center to Mount Zion traffic. |
Accessibility:
The wheelchair can only be used on the first main level. There is no way to get downstairs to see the Crypt room in a wheelchair.
Telephone number: 02-5655330.
Toilets are available with payment. There is also a beautiful cafeteria that serves German food, but above all, it has a European atmosphere.
Nearby Activities
The Old Town is a mere 5 minutes away on foot, so it’s worth exploring. While you’re there, be sure not to miss Oscar Schindler’s grave, which is nearby. To access the Old City, head through the Zion Gate. Once inside, you can turn right and explore the Jewish Quarter or turn left to wander through the Armenian Quarter. Both routes offer unique experiences and sights to discover.
My experience
I love this church for its distinctive architecture and its celebration of feminine themes. It’s a place where many women find solace, lighting candles in the crypt below as they offer prayers and chants. The round design of the main hall creates exceptional acoustics, making it a perfect venue for concerts held there occasionally.
After basking in the atmosphere of this remarkable church, I suggest indulging in a delicious coffee and sampling some German cuisine before departing from Europe to Israel. As a delightful treat, be sure to savor the special Arabic sweet date bread offered by a v
