At the center of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre stands this edicule, and inside is the tomb where Jesus was buried (according to Catholic and Orthodox tradition).
This is a rare photo of the edicule with no crowds standing in line to enter it. Early morning today.
But yesterday this same place was much more colorful, with red vestments bringing to mind the red tongues of fire. The Orthodox churches were celebrating Pentecost.
The prostration is because of the liturgy of the day.
The Greek Orthodox have three sets of kneeling prayers for Pentecost.
The first is a prayer of great repentance; the second prayer is a call to the Holy Spirit to help the faithful follow the right path during their life; and the third prayer is to remember those who have gone before.
The first is a prayer of great repentance; the second prayer is a call to the Holy Spirit to help the faithful follow the right path during their life; and the third prayer is to remember those who have gone before.
Some selected lines from the liturgy:
DEACON: For those who incline their hearts as well as the knee before the Lord, let us pray to the Lord.
CANTOR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That He will accept our act of kneeling as incense before Him, let us pray to the Lord.
CANTOR: Lord, have mercy.
CANTOR: Lord, have mercy.
DEACON: That He will accept our act of kneeling as incense before Him, let us pray to the Lord.CANTOR: Lord, have mercy.
. . .
DEACON: Again, on bended knees, let us pray to the Lord.
CANTOR: Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison.
CANTOR: Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison.
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(For views of other worlds by other bloggers please visit That's My World Tuesday.)
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Amazing photos Dina, thanks for the glimpse into your world.
ReplyDeleteHave a fantastic week
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Amazing stuff. Your world is incredibly interesting. I glad that you take the time to share it.
ReplyDeleteShalom.
The repetition of verse in the Greek Orthodox church can be very hypnotic. It's great that you posted the lines of the prayer
ReplyDeleteThose red vestments are wonderful. Great series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such rare pics and all the informations you shared.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting intersection of cultures. Amazing that you found a time when the church was empty - I can't imagine that happens often.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting look into a sacred place.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these rare and interesting images, Dina.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, as usual.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful architecture. Interesting celebrations - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAs you now I'm not a religious person, but that does not mean that I can't be impressed. I was.
ReplyDeleteThis is all like "Greek" to me. Praying in the closet it isn't. I guess it is more what one thinks than what one does. I enjoyed this look at this place. Otherwise I would never have been able to be there. Thanks for the neat pics.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting photos of customs which we rarely have a chance to see. Thanks for posting these Dina!
ReplyDeleteWow, incredible place!
ReplyDeleteThank you fr showing us the inside of the church and the rituals Dina.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures, Dina. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou can really feel FAITH and DEVOTION there!!!! Amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the shot without the queue.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Pentecoste`s Liturgy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for share this important building.
Luiz Ramos
thank you for sharing this fascinating history with us along with the wonderful photos. my husband would love to travel to jerusalem and visit some day.
ReplyDelete