The Church in Jerusalem. Pt 1.
This is the Church of the Holy Sepulchure (I'm still not quite up to speed on what that is...). Featuring the so-called 'Immovable Ladder'- ( second and third photographs, top center window).
This marvellous stone sanctuary is situated in Jerusalem's old town and considered one of the most important sites and shrines for Christians around the world. Its relics are infamous, but perhaps not so notorious as its...erm, squabbles.
Home to Greek and Russian Orthodox, Catholics, Serbs, Syrians, Egyptians, Coptics and many more Christian denominations from around the block, this should be a marvellous fusion, right, in the spirit of Christian brotherhood? Not always. For centuries this has often been the site of bitter rivalries between the Christian sects, where political and ethnic tensions play out. From world affairs down to who sweeps the floor of what section of the building.
Ottoman rulers introduced the 'Status Quo' policy which more or less stated that no decision could be taken in the church (concerning artefacts, ownership and responsibilities within the holy places at the time) without the consent of all six main denominations in charge. This was an attempt at fostering some kind of peace within the space.
And so this 'Immovable Ladder', this modest structure crafted from Cedar of Lebanon, has stood at the same spot, on the very same window ledge since the 18th century, a symbol of discord within the church. It hasn't been moved, quite simply, because at no point have the six guys in charge been in agreement as to where and how to move it. The ladder has thus become quite the humorous celebrity in its own right. Boy, God might be great but, and I say this as a Christian myself, us humans can be outright petty.😂
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