The Holy Land
The Holy Land encompasses Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem amongst other towns and places that are linked to the person of Christ.
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is situated approximately five and a half miles west of Jerusalem. It is the place where Christians believe Jesus was born. The most important site in Bethlehem is the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square, which was built in the fourth century.
Inside the Church of the Nativity, there is a tiny area called the Grotto of the Nativity. In this A small cave., there is a 14-pointed star, which is believed by some Christians to indicate the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Near to this spot is the Chapel of the Manger where some Christians believe Mary placed Jesus after he was born.
For many Christians these sites represent important places and events in the early life of Jesus. However, there is doubt as to whether or not they are the actual places where these events happened.
Christian A person who performs a journey which has religious or spiritual significance, known as a pilgrimage. travel to Bethlehem, particularly at Christmas time to attend services in the Church of the Nativity. Some pilgrims kiss the star representing the birthplace of Christ to show their Loyalty and dedication..
Nature and importance
Visiting Bethlehem enables Christians to share their faith with others from around the world. Many different Christian A group within a religion. Christian denominations include, for example, Roman Catholic and Anglican denominations. are represented in Bethlehem, including both Western churches and Eastern churches, eg Greek and Armenian The Eastern Orthodox Church and its creeds, consisting of national Churches, mainly Greek or Slav. Churches.
In Bethlehem, Christians can pray and focus their attention on the birth of Jesus Christ. This is the The belief that God took human form in Jesus Christ. It is also the belief that God in Christ is active in the Church and in the world. - the belief that Jesus is God made flesh. The experience of being in the place where the incarnation is believed to have happened can have huge spiritual importance for Christians.
Nazareth
Nazareth is believed to be the place where Jesus spent his childhood. Therefore, Christians visit places in Nazareth that are said to mark areas of importance to Jesus' family.
Pilgrims can visit the Church of the Annunciation. Some Christians believe that this church is built over the home of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Here, Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel who gave her the news that she would give birth to a son who she should name Jesus.
The Church of Saint Joseph is believed by some Christians to have been built over the area where Joseph had his carpentry shop.
Some pilgrims walk between Nazareth and Bethlehem as part of their A journey which has religious or spiritual significance, usually to an important religious place.. They believe that when they do this, they are following in the footsteps of Mary and Joseph who travelled to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. The journey ends in Nativity Square in Bethlehem.
Nature and importance
As with Bethlehem, Christians believe that by visiting such sites, they can be closer to the historical figure of Jesus. The incarnation is a very important belief for Christians.
The opportunity to pray in the church which marks or represents the place of the Angel Gabriel's promise to Mary is very important to Christian pilgrims. Christian pilgrims believe that they may gain a better understanding of their beliefs and have the opportunity to demonstrate their devotion to their religion through To show devotion to God and/or religion through actions - for example, prayer..
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is an important place of pilgrimage for Christians, just as it is for Jews and Muslims.
Jesus visited Jerusalem at Jewish festival which remembers the escape of the ancient Israelites from Egypt. time and spent the week leading up to his death there. Christian pilgrims visit Jerusalem, therefore, to remember key events in Jesus' final week, known as For Christians, the week before Easter Sunday that recalls the suffering and death of Jesus.. Places that Christian pilgrims might visit include:
- The Garden of Gethsemane - this is believed to be where Jesus prayed before he was arrested by the Romans and put to death. Christians visit here for Deep thought. and prayer.
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre - this church is said to be built on the site where Jesus was crucified, as well as his place of burial. Others believe the Garden Tomb, situated just outside Jerusalem's city walls, is the place which marks the site of the death and Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead after the crucifixion; the rising from the dead of believers on the Last Day; the new, or risen, life of Christians. of Jesus.
- Via Dolorosa 鈥 this is a special route that Christian pilgrims walk from the outskirts of Jerusalem to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, especially on Good Friday. It is believed to be the very path that Jesus took carrying his cross on the way to his crucifixion.
- Church of the Ascension - this is said to mark the site of the ascension, when Jesus rose into Heaven forty days after his resurrection. There is a stone inside the Church, believed to be imprinted with his footstep.
Nature and importance
The belief that Jesus died and was raised from the dead is a very important belief for Christians. It is believed that this An act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy. enables all Christians to have a relationship with God. This belief is called the Atonement.
Many Christians believe that undertaking a pilgrimage to Jerusalem can bring them closer to the experience of Jesus as he approached his death.
The belief is that this will help them to develop spiritually and become closer to God.