Church of the Holy Sepulchre Book

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the most popular pilgrim destination in Christendom, and this gorgeously illustrated volume is the ultimate guide to the site. Produced in association with the Israel Antiquities Authority, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre covers the Church's history, its transformations, and the different Christian communities associated with it.

In 325-326 A.D., Christians looking for the site of Golgotha demolished the Temple of Aphrodite and found what they believed to be the Tomb of Christ. Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the site. During a visit while the church was under construction, Empress Helena discovered what is believed to be the remains of the cross on which Christ was crucified in the same area. Consecrated in September of 335, the church has had a complex and fascinating history. It has fallen victim to fires, riots, looting, earthquakes, and numerous attacks, from its first attack by the Persians in 614 to its almost complete destruction by King al-Hakim of Egypt in1009. The church has always been restored and renovated, however, and additional buildings and modifications to the interior and exterior have made it a fascinatingly intricate complex. Today, it is a site of worship for six different denominations of Christianity, each with its own rites and rituals, and it remains a destination for innumerable pilgrims from all corners of the world.

Author Bio: Martin Biddle is a leading authority on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. He is currently a professor of archeology at Hartford College, Oxford University.

Gideon Avni, John Seligman, and Tamar Winter, all archeologists at theIsrael Antiquities Authority, are currently conducting a comprehensive study of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.