Crosses in Jerusalem

                 

Among the most moving sights visitors encounter at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre are the thousands of crosses etched into the church’s walls. They serve as reminders that today’s pilgrim follows in the footsteps of Christians, who centuries ago, crossed continents to see the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb. Until now the markings were thought to be graffiti made by the pilgrims themselves. Now, Israeli researchers using three-dimensional imaging technology have determined that the crosses were part of a more organized effort. Dated back to the 15th century, they were very similar in terms of their depth and design. This suggests that they were created by only a few people, maybe two or three hand artists. Maybe  not graffiti after all, but something more organized. They were created as a service to the pilgrims, perhaps to aid them in their spiritual journey. An archaeologist working on them said  “Let’s say that you are an Armenian pilgrim, so you pay something to the priest, you pay something to this special artist and he carved for you, for the benefit of your soul and your relatives’ souls, …a special cross in the most sacred place for Christianity on earth.” Similar to people lighting a candle in our churches in front of statues. After closing last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre opened for Easter, and is once again welcoming visitors. Since some of the crosses resemble the Maltese cross, they could have been done by a member of the Knights of Malta, or some artist who had a connection with the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, later known as the Knights of Malta.