Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation

The church.
Basic information
Location Flag of Israel Nazareth, Israel
Geographic coordinates 32°42′25.5″N 35°18′5.7″E / 32.707083, 35.301583Coordinates: 32°42′25.5″N 35°18′5.7″E / 32.707083, 35.301583
Religious affiliation Eastern Orthodox
Architectural description
Direction of facade South
Year completed 1769
Specifications

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, known colloquially among the Arab citizens of Nazareth, Israel whom it serves as Keniset il-rum,"[1] is an Eastern Orthodox church first established in Byzantine-era Palestine.

Also known as the Church of St. Gabriel or St. Gabriel's Greek Orthodox Church, it is located over an underground spring that according to Eastern Orthodox belief is where the Virgin Mary was drawing water at the time of the Annunciation.[2] Water from the spring still runs inside the apse of the church and also feeds the adjacent site of Mary's Well, located 150 yards (140 m) away.[3][4] The spring was the village of Nazareth's only water supply at the time the church was constructed, and served as a local watering hole for some three thousands years.[5]

The spring inside the church is located at the end of a low vaulted cavern built by the Crusaders in the twelfth century. Ancient Armenian tilework decorates the walls of the cavern and there is a small recess with a shaft leading down to the spring where one can lower a metal cup to draw water.[6]

The remainder of the structure was built in 1769. Modern decorative murals cover the walls and the ceilings. An iconostasis (a screen decorated with icons) hides the altar from view, in keeping with Eastern Orthodox tradition. The tomb of the founder of the Church can be seen along the north wall.[6]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rum is the Arabic word for Romans, Byzantines and adherents of the Eastern Orthodox church. Chad Fife Emmett (1995). Beyond the Basilica:Christians and Muslims in Nazareth. University of Chicago Press, 81. ISBN 0226207110. 
  2. ^ Frank J. Matera (2001). Strategies for Preaching Paul. Liturgical Press, 194. ISBN 0814619665. 
  3. ^ Veselin Kesich, Lydia W. Kesich (1985). Treasures of the Holy Land: A Visit to the Places of Christian Origins. St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 33. ISBN 0881410454. 
  4. ^ Paul L. Maier (1998). In the Fullness of Time: A Historian Looks at Christmas, Easter, and the Early Church. Kregel Publications, 84. ISBN 0825433290. 
  5. ^ Robert A. Wallace, Gwynneth Wallace (2000). Pilgrim's Progress: A Spiritual Guide for the Holy Land Traveler. Westminster John Knox Press, 16. ISBN 0664501273. 
  6. ^ a b Norman Wareham, Jill Gill (1998). Every Pilgrim's Guide to the Holy Land. SCM-Canterbury Press Ltd, 173. ISBN 1853112127.