St. Helen Coptic Orthodox Church Cistern and Monastery - Jerusalem
The Coptic Orthodox Church (the term Copt comes from the Greek word “aegiptos,” meaning “Egyptian”), whose establishment is attributed to St. Mark the Apostle in the 1st century CE. Ancient Christian manuscripts were found in the Egyptian deserts indicating the beginning of Christian asceticism.
The compound at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher houses the seat of the Coptic Archbishop and three churches, the most important one of which is the Church of St. Antonius dating from the 3rd century. When Antonius, who founded Coptic the monastic movement, was alone in the desert Satan tried to tempt him.
A cool cistern hewn into the rock underground, this was (re?)discovered, according to tradition, by Constantine's mother Helena. It's a bit awkward to get down to, but holds a musical surprise -- the shape of the cavern makes beautiful echos, should one give a whistle or break out into song. The small chapel above was manned by a single Orthodox priest who pointed out the back room with the entrance.
Church of Holy Sepulcher (St. Helen Coptic Church)
It's so totally different from internet videos forwarded to me. One has to be there in person to pray, kiss the stone at the foot of Jesus Christ' Crucifixion and experience the glory and goodness of the Lord the Saviour! I rubbed my coat at the stone where Jesus was laid for preparation for anointing of oil and burial after His excruciating death. I will never ever wash that coat ever and forever!
Young Mormon ladies sing Silent Night under the Coptic Church of St Helena in Jerusalem.
Fine Art Photography by Zbigniew Halat. The Saint Helena Coptic Orthodox Church is located adjacent to (behind) the Church of the Holy Sepulchre near near the Ninth Station. Jesus falls a third time. Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. All: ecause by your holy cross You have redeemed the world. Jesus, your journey has been long. You fall again, beneath your cross. You know your journey is coming to an end. You struggle and struggle. You get up and keep going. As a child, sometimes I fail time and time again. I find it hard to get along with my sisters and brothers, sometimes I'm not honest, sometimes I'm lazy. I'm tempted to stop trying. It's just too hard sometimes. As an adult, I often feel I should have conquered my weaknesses by now. I become discouraged when I'm confronted by the same problems over and over again. Sometimes I get weary. When I have health problems, I can become discouraged and depressed. Help me think of the cross you carried. Help me continue to hope that I can make the changes in my life I need to. You didn't give up. I can have the strength to get up again as well. My Jesus, by all the bitter woes Thou didst endure when for the third time the heavy cross bowed Thee to the earth, never, I beseech Thee, let me fall again into sin. Ah, my Jesus, rather let me die than ever offend Thee again. Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father.... Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified. All: Have mercy on Us. Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace. All: Amen.
The church houses a vast underground cistern that was discovered by Saint Empress Helena and provided water to the Sepulchre. Saint Empress Helena (c. 250 – c. 330) was an Empress of the Roman Empire and mother of Emperor Constantine the Great. Emperor Constantine the Great Constantine (272 – 337) was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, and he played an influential role in the proclamation of the Edict of Milan in 313, which declared religious tolerance for Christianity in the Roman empire. The edict stated that Christians should be allowed to follow the faith without oppression. This removed penalties for professing Christianity, under which many had been martyred previously, and returned confiscated Church property.
Cross over the Catholicon. The Cross of Golgotha - symbol of the efforts of unity in the community of Christian faith. Since 1996 the Catholicon dome is topped by the monumental Golgotha Crucifix that had been donated by German Christians. It was at the initiative of prof. Gustav Kühnel to erect a new crucifix at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem that would not only be worthy of the singularity of the site, but that would also become a symbol of the efforts of unity in the community of Christian faith.
The Crucifix is a total of 5.4 meters (17.7 ft) tall; its cross-beam is 3.3 meters (10.8 ft) long. The statically bearing inner stainless steel tube construction is faced with gilded sheets of premium steel, into which 155 mountain crystals in an inner aragonite cross have been set. All told an area of about 5.5 quare meters (59.2 square ft) was covered in 24-karat leaf gilding. The Crucifix has a total weight of 1800 kg (3968 lbs). Fine Art Photography by Zbigniew Halat
Saint Vartan’s Chapel.
Discovered in 1979 and Hidden behind St. Helena’s Chapel in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem is what is now known as Stain Vartan’s Chapel. Come take a look inside at what is normally locked behind a closed door.
St. Helena Jerusalem Coptic Christians Honored Armenian Church
St. Helena the mother of Emperor Constantine is the ninth station of the cross and the back part of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Also it is a Armenian Apostolic Church also Help Us Spread the Word also also
Chapel of Empress saint helena ,church of holy sepulchre jerusalem israel 27 oct 19 sunday 12 43 p
Chapel of Empress saint helena ,church of holy sepulchre jerusalem israel 27 oct 19 sunday 12 43 p
The Armenian The Chapel of St. Helena. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Israel
Zahi Shaked A tour guide in Israel and his camera zahigo25@walla.com +972-54-6905522 tel סיור עם מורה הדרך ומדריך הטיולים צחי שקד 0546905522
My name is Zahi Shaked
In 2000 I became a registered liscenced tourist guide.
My dedication in life is to pass on the ancient history of the Holy Land.
Following upon many years of travel around the world, which was highlighted by a very exciting emotional and soul-searching meeting with the Dalai Lama, I realized that I had a mission. To pass on the the history of the Holy Land, its religions, and in particular, the birth and development of Christianity.
In order to fulfill this calling in the best way possible, I studied in depth, visited, and personally experienced each and every important site of the ancient Christians. I studied for and received my first bachelors degree in the ancient history of the Holy Land, and am presently completing my studies for my second degree.(Masters)
Parralel to my studies, and in order to earn a living, I was employed for many years in advertising. What I learned there was how to attract the publics attention, generate and, increase interest, and assimilate information. All this I use as tools to describe, explain and deepen the interest in the sites that we visit. From my experience, I have learned that in this way, the Holy Land becomes more than just history, and that the large stones that we see scattered about in dissaray, join together one by one until they become - a Byzantine Church. This also happens when I lead a group of Pilgrims in the Steps of Jesus. We climb to the peak of Mount Precipice, glide over the land to the Sea of Galilee, land on the water and see the miracle which enfolds before us. This is a many faceted experience. Not only history which you will remember and cherish, but an experience which I hope will be inplanted in your hearts and minds, and will accompany you all the days of your life.
The Armenian Chapel of St. Helen after the renovations. Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
Zahi Shaked A tour guide in Israel and his camera zahigo25@walla.com +972-54-6905522 tel סיור עם מורה הדרך ומדריך הטיולים צחי שקד 0546905522
My name is Zahi Shaked
In 2000 I became a registered liscenced tourist guide.
My dedication in life is to pass on the ancient history of the Holy Land.
Following upon many years of travel around the world, which was highlighted by a very exciting emotional and soul-searching meeting with the Dalai Lama, I realized that I had a mission. To pass on the the history of the Holy Land, its religions, and in particular, the birth and development of Christianity.
In order to fulfill this calling in the best way possible, I studied in depth, visited, and personally experienced each and every important site of the ancient Christians. I studied for and received my first bachelors degree in the ancient history of the Holy Land, and am presently completing my studies for my second degree.(Masters)
Parralel to my studies, and in order to earn a living, I was employed for many years in advertising. What I learned there was how to attract the publics attention, generate and, increase interest, and assimilate information. All this I use as tools to describe, explain and deepen the interest in the sites that we visit. From my experience, I have learned that in this way, the Holy Land becomes more than just history, and that the large stones that we see scattered about in dissaray, join together one by one until they become - a Byzantine Church. This also happens when I lead a group of Pilgrims in the Steps of Jesus. We climb to the peak of Mount Precipice, glide over the land to the Sea of Galilee, land on the water and see the miracle which enfolds before us. This is a many faceted experience. Not only history which you will remember and cherish, but an experience which I hope will be inplanted in your hearts and minds, and will accompany you all the days of your life.
Jerusalem Chapel of St. Helen and Mary Magdalene
Israel Jerusalem Church of the Holy Sepulchre Chapel of St. Helen and Mary Magdalene Иерусалим Храм Гроба Господня Церковь Святой Елены и Церковь Марии Магдалены
Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Armenian Chapel (St. Helen) under renovation, Jerusalem, Israel
Zahi Shaked A tour guide in Israel and his camera zahigo25@walla.com +972-54-6905522 tel סיור עם מורה הדרך ומדריך הטיולים צחי שקד 0546905522
My name is Zahi Shaked
In 2000 I became a registered liscenced tourist guide.
My dedication in life is to pass on the ancient history of the Holy Land.
Following upon many years of travel around the world, which was highlighted by a very exciting emotional and soul-searching meeting with the Dalai Lama, I realized that I had a mission. To pass on the the history of the Holy Land, its religions, and in particular, the birth and development of Christianity.
In order to fulfill this calling in the best way possible, I studied in depth, visited, and personally experienced each and every important site of the ancient Christians. I studied for and received my first bachelors degree in the ancient history of the Holy Land, and am presently completing my studies for my second degree.(Masters)
Parralel to my studies, and in order to earn a living, I was employed for many years in advertising. What I learned there was how to attract the publics attention, generate and, increase interest, and assimilate information. All this I use as tools to describe, explain and deepen the interest in the sites that we visit. From my experience, I have learned that in this way, the Holy Land becomes more than just history, and that the large stones that we see scattered about in dissaray, join together one by one until they become - a Byzantine Church. This also happens when I lead a group of Pilgrims in the Steps of Jesus. We climb to the peak of Mount Precipice, glide over the land to the Sea of Galilee, land on the water and see the miracle which enfolds before us. This is a many faceted experience. Not only history which you will remember and cherish, but an experience which I hope will be inplanted in your hearts and minds, and will accompany you all the days of your life.
Israel insists on the restoration of the Sultan's Monastery in Jerusalem
Israel insists on the restoration of the Sultan's Monastery contrary to the court's verdict ..
تابعونا باستمرار علي ..
The Official ME Sat Live Stream - MarMarkos Coptic Orthodox TV
البث المباشر الرسمى لقناة مى سات القبطية الارثوذكسية - قناة مارمرقس
Jerusalem Church of the Holy Sepulchre Prison of Christ and Outer part of Catholocon
Israel Jerusalem Church of the Holy Sepulchre Prison of Christ and Outer part of Catholocon Иерусалим Храм Гроба Господня Темница Христа и внешняя часть Кафоликона
A warm welcome to the new Coptic Bishop Anba Antonius
The heads of churches in Jerusalem greet the new Coptic Bishop Anba Antonio, appointed Pastor in Jerusalem and the Near East.
Pilgrimage to Holy Land
A summary of my 9-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land with family and friends from the Philippines and Singapore.
The last part is our tour guide, Sami, teaching us the Our Father in Aramaic - the language Jesus used, on the same spot believed to be where he taught the apostles.
Our rough itinerary per day c/o Jo Lim (edited):
Day 1 Jaffa
1.1. Sculpture of Whale of Jonah
1.2. House of Simon the Tanner
1.3. Church of St. Anthony for Mass
1.4. Baha'i Gardens on Mount Carmel, City of Haifa
1.5. View of University of Haifa
1.6. Check in at Leonardo Hotel, city of Tiberias
Day 2 Nazareth, Cana
2.1 Morning mass at St Peter's Church at Tiberias (old crusader era church)
2.2. Church of the Transfiguration at the top of Mount Tabor - altar of Elijah and of Moses on either side representing the prophets and the Law.
2.3 Lunch in a Bedouin tent
2.4 Nazareth- Church of the Annunciation
2.5 Church of St Joseph (above the workshop of St Joseph)
2.6 Cana- Church of the Wedding Feast- the last remaining stone jar found at the house
Day 3 Tabgha, North Galilee area
3.1 Mass at Church of the Multiplication - stone where Jesus placed the loaves for the multiplication to feed the followers
3.2 Exhibition of the ancient boat excavated from the Sea of Galilee and Boat trip on the Galilee
3.3 Church of St Peter Primacy- the stones where Jesus cooked breakfast for his disciples and the rocky outcrop where he called out to them in the boat to ask if they had caught any fish.
3.4 St Peter's fish for lunch
3.5 Church of the Beatitudes - Mount of the Beatitudes
Day 4 Jordan area
4.1 To Palestinian area to the stretch of River Jordan where Jesus was baptised
4.2 Cable car to the top of Mount Of Temptation (orthodox monastery) rock where the devil tempted Jesus
4.3 Qumran- exhibit of the dead sea Scrolls and view of the cave where they found the Qumran Scrolls.
4.4 Bethany- Church of Bethany
4.5 Tomb of Lazarus (Muslim site)
4.6 arrive at Leonardo Jerusalem Hotel, and Mass at the FMM sister's chapel nearby the hotel
Day 5 Bethlehem
5.1 Shepherd's field - cave where the angel appeared to the shepherds
5.2 Christian workshops co-operative
5.3 Mass at the Church of St Catherine
5.4 Church of the Nativity (orthodox) and kiss the star in the cave where Jesus was Born, and the spot of the Manger
5.5 From catholic side of the cave- to see the cave where St Jerome lived (front part of the cave of the Nativity)
5.6 Lunch at the falafel place
5.7 Milk Grotto - the place where Joseph and Mary stayed before their flight to Egypt
5.8 Blessings Olive Wood Workshop
5.9 Wailing wall , walk through the Armenian Quarter
Day 6 Old Jerusalem
6.1 Mass at Church of the Holy Sepulchre
6.2 St Anne's church- the birthplace of our Lady
6.3 Ruins of the pools of Bethesda
6.4 Way of the Cross to holy sepulchre church
6.5 Church of the Holy Sepulchre-
A. Anointing stone
B. Chapel of Longinus
C. Tomb of Nicodemus
D. Kissed the relic of the true cross
E. Chapel of St Helen where the true cross was found
F. Tomb of Adam (under Calvary)
6.6 lunch at nearby alleyway
6.7 Cenacle
6.8 Tomb of David
6.9 Church of the dormition
6.10 Mimilla avenue & church of the holy rosary
Day 7 Ein Karem, Saxum
7.1 Mass at Calvary
7.2 Ein Karem- winter house of St Elizabeth and St Joachim, where St John the Baptist was born
7.3 Mary's well
7.4 Church of the Visitation (former summer house of Elizabeth and Joachim) and the stone that hid St John from King Herod's soldiers that were killing the innocents.
7.5 Church of the Resurrection (Benedictine monastery from crusader's era)
7.6 Lunch along the road at Abu Gosh
7.7 Saxum Visitor Center and confessions
7.8 head back to Jerusalem and to Church of the holy sepulchre to queue to get inside the tomb
Day 8Mount of Olives, St Peter Gallicantu
8.1 Mass at holy sepulchre
8.2 Mount of Olives - site of the Ascension (now under the Muslims) - touched the footprint of Jesus
8.3 Pater Noster Church - cave where Jesus taught the our father to his disciples
8.4 Dominus Flevit Church - where Jesus wept over Jerusalem
8.5 Church of Mary Magdelene (Russian orthodox church)
8.6 Garden of Gethsemane - Church of all nations- stone where Jesus prayed when he sweat blood on the night of the last supper) and the Olive Groves where he was arrested
8.7 Tomb of our Lady, st Anne and St Joachim
8.8 Museum of Israel to see Jerusalem at its peak during the time of the second Temple.
8.9 Lunch at St Elijah Monastery (orthodox church)
8.10 Church of St Peter of Gallicantu (former house of high priest Caiphas)
A. View of Hebron valley where the priest throw the bones of the meat offerings
B. View of the Monastery where Judas bought the field and also hanged himself
C. Map of Jerusalem during the Byzantine period
D. Chapel - painting of the denial of St Peter
E. Dungeons under Caiphas house- where Jesus could've been tied and held prisoner
F. Rosary at the steps that led to the house of Caiphas
*Day 9
Latin Mass at Holy Sepulchre
Church Of The Holy Sepulcher & Christian Shrines in Jerusalem
The church of the holy sepulcher in Jerusalem, also called church of the resurrection, is one of the most important Christian shrines in the world. It is a large complex, comprising the actual location of the final five stations of the cross, from ten to fourteen, including the crucifixion site and the holy crypt. All churches in the world, whether orthodox or catholic, are represented inside the complex, by altars and icons.
Station eleven. Chapel of the Nailing of the Cross. It features a twelfth century mosaic of Jesus being nailed to the cross. An imposing altar and mosaic ornaments. Through a window in the south wall, the Chapel of the Agony of the Virgin can be seen. Just to the left of the altar is a statue of Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, which is Station thirteen. Jesus' body removed from the cross and given to Mary.
A few steps lead to the Golgotha. On this elevated rock, Jesus was crucified. Station twelve. The church was built around this Calvary. A statue of the virgin Mary and many bronze and golden chandeliers overlook the main altar. The rock itself can be seen under the glass on either side of the main altar. Beneath the altar there is a hole that allows you to touch the rock itself. The slot cut for the cross is shown in the east apse along with those of the two crucified burglars.
The rounded area of the church, or the Rotunda, preserves the location and shape and a few original columns of Constantine's fourth century Church built on the site of Christ's tomb. It is surmounted by a large dome and decorated with twelve stars symbolizing the 12 apostles.
Underneath the large dome is the Tomb of Christ enshrined in a chapel which contains two small rooms. The first is the Greek Orthodox Chapel of the Angel, with an altar containing a piece of the stone, which was rolled away by angels at the Resurrection. The second is the tiny Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher, which contains the tomb of Christ. It is the fourteenth Station of the Cross. A marble slab covers the place where the body of Christ was laid and from which he rose from the dead. A vase with candles marks the spot where his head rested.
The stone of Unction, which commemorates the preparation of Jesus' body for burial. Behind the Stone, a mosaic depicting Jesus' anointing for burial, decorates the outer wall of the Greek orthodox cathedral.
Chapel of Saint Helena, mother of Constantine. A seat in the corner of the chapel is said to have been occupied by Helena as she searched for Jesus' Cross. From this corner, a few steps descend into the Chapel of the Finding of the Cross.
The mount of olives, is also an important place for pilgrimage. It is located on the hillside opposing the ancient stone walls of Jerusalem. On that hill, is the Gethsemane garden, where Jesus prayed to be delivered from the terrifying destiny awaiting him, while his three disciples fell asleep nearby. The church of all nations was built around the rock where Jesus knelt down and prayed endlessly on that night.
Outside the church, is the Gethsemane olive garden, where trees have a proven age of more than 2000 years. the apostles cave is also nearby, it is the place where the apostles hid when Jesus was taken in. On the mount of olives, there's also the church of the tear drop, recalling the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Finally, the church of the ascension, built over the rock where Jesus put his last footsteps on earth, before ascending to heaven.
St. Helena, the mother of Constantine, as described by 4th Century historian Eusebius Pamphilus
The empress Helena was the wife of Constantius I Chlorus and mother of Constantine the Great. She was also a devout Christian and a saint of the Catholic Church.
This brief biography of Saint Helen was recorded in the Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine which was penned by Bishop Eusebius Pamphilus not long after Helena's death in AD 330.
The complete Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine may be found here in book form:
Works of art depicted in this video include:
0:24 Mosaic floor of the Chapel of St. Helena in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, 20th century.
0:34 Seated statue of Saint Helen, ca. AD 320.
0:47 Silver siliquae of Constantine I and Constnatius II, 4th century AD.
1:00 Madaba Mosaic Map of Jerusalem, 6th century AD.
1:14 Reputed footprint of Jesus, Chapel of the Ascension, Jerusalem.
1:29 Wall mosaic from the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, 11th century AD.
1:54 Church of the Nativity, exterior, Bethlehem, 4-6th century AD.
2:10 Church of the Nativity, interior, Bethlehem, 4-6th century AD.
2:24 Helena's church on the Mount of Olives (Pater Noster Chapel), exterior, Jerusalem, rebuilt, 12th century.
2:41 Grotto beneath the Pater Noster Chapel, Jerusalem.
2:52 Pater Noster Chapel, exterior, Jerusalem.
3:03 Saint Helena finds the true Cross, Italian manuscript, ca. AD 825.
3:19 Saint Helena and Constantine, Ivory, 11th century AD.
3:34 The Dream of Saint Helena by Paolo Veronese, AD 1580.
4:09 Bronze follis with Saint Helena, ca. AD 328.
4:28 Detail from Finding of the True Cross by Agnolo Gaddi, AD 1380
4:53 Statue of St. Helena, 4th century AD.
5:27 Statue of St. Helena, ca. 17th century AD.
5:58 Tapestry showing St. Helena and Constantine with the Cross, Reubens, ca. AD 1625.
6:30 Porphyry sarcophagus of St. Helena, 4th century AD.
7:00 Reliquary containing St. Helena's skull.
7:25 Gold double solidus with St. Helena, ca. AD 325.
7:38 Seated statue of St. Helena, 4th century AD.
7:54 Colossal statue of St. Helena in St. Peter's basilica by Andrea Bolgi, AD 1639.
The music is borrowed from the Cistercian chant Testamentum Eternum and may be found here:
We claim no rights to the artworks listed above nor to the music.
Christianity - Helena ... First Pilgrim to the Holy Land
Israel Jerusalem, April 21, 2017
After Easter, I joined an awesome group of fellow pilgrims from St. Mark's Church in New Canaan, CT to visit the Holy Land. Many people throw around the words life-changing to describe profound experiences. This one truly was. This video is made from photos taken on one day in Jerusalem, when we started with Morning Prayer and then walked through the Old City first to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (to pray by Jesus' tomb) and then, after a yummy lunch, we visited St. Mark's Chapel (where we went down to the Upper Room--the site of the Last Supper, and in one of many, many special moments that day, Linda recited the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic, the very same words that Jesus spoke.)
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Reflections on the value of Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Presented by the Southwestern USA Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepluchre of Jerusalem.
Armenian Church Of Jerusalem Shut Down
The Christian Church is under attack in Jerusalem by the government of Israel. Feb 25 2018
Aysor 13:00 Pakvecin Harutyan Tachari drner@, Npatak@ boxoqn e depi Izraeli Karavarutyun Ekexeciner@ Harkayin dasht mcnelu hamar xndrum em taraceq ays vorpesi hryaner@ chkaroxanan hasnel irenc npatakin
Shame on Israel. They must stop attacking the church of Jesus.
Meanwhile the vice president of the USA went to Jerusalem and praised Israel almost to the point of worshiping Israel instead of worshiping Jesus. Did he even go to the church where Jesus was born?
How can anyone praise and support those who attack the church and then claim to be a follower of Jesus? Jesus said you shall know them by their fruit. Claiming to be a Christian does not mean you are one.
Do American Christians even care about this terrible situation in the Holy land?
The government of Israel is claiming the church did not pay tax so they are making a new law to take over church property and then sell it to Jewish companies. This is an attack on the Christian church's in Jerusalem.