Tomb of Mary, Mother of Jesus Tour, Jerusalem! Understand the Faith and Controversy of Mary's Life!

Historical Background
1. The New Testament is silent regarding the death and burial of Mary, but strong Christian tradition places her tomb at this site.
2. The church is in an underground rock-cut cave in the shape of a cross. It has a wide staircase leading down to the church. It is dimly lit and has blackish ceilings due to centuries of candle burning.
3. The church began as burial caves that were cut into rock in the 1st century.
4. These caves were later expanded in 455 AD into a cross-shaped church with the tomb of Mary in its center.
5. The large crypt containing the empty tomb in the church is all that remains of an early 5th-century church.
6. In the 6th century, an octagon-shaped church was built on the upper level, covering the tomb. However, it was destroyed in the Persian invasion in 614.
7. During the Crusader period (1130), the church was rebuilt and included a Benedictine monastery called the Abbey Church of St. Mary of Jehosaphat.
8. After the Crusaders left, the site was taken over by the Franciscans. Since that time, it has been shared by Greeks, Armenians, Syrians, Copts, Abyssinians, and Muslims.
9. Muslims also worship here, and in the wall to the right of the Tomb of Mary is a mihrab niche, giving the direction of Mecca. It was installed after Saladin’s