For further information on Christian tourism contact Travelujah-Holy Land toursThe ruins of Kathisma, an important Byzantine church and monastery, are located near Mar Elias Monastery, on the side of the ancient road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
Kathisma in Greek means “seat” or “place of rest.” According
to the Proto-Gospel of James, the Holy Couple, while on their way from Nazareth,
stopped to rest when already approaching Bethlehem, the place where Jesus was
born.
A tradition says that the Virgin Mary sat there at the stone
ofkhatisma for a little while and then suddenly some water sprang out of a rock
to quench her thirst. Until the 17th century, pilgrims saw a large tree which,
according to the legend, had lowered down its branches to provide shade for the
Virgin.
Interestingly, the
existence of this unique Kathisma church was known from Byzantine literature,
but its location was a mystery. Its ruins were completely buried in the grounds
of an olive grove.
It was actually discovered by chance in 1992 after the
construction works of the Jerusalem-Bethlehem road hit the edge of the site. The
rescuing excavations revealed a large church, so the road was therefore shifted
to prevent damage to the site. In 1997 archaeologistsRinaAvner and Yuval Baruch
continued the excavations and it was only then identified as the long forgotten
Kathisma church.
In 1999 the
archaeologists reconstructed the foundations of the church, uncovered the
beautiful mosaic floors, and conducted other preservation works. However, there
is still a need for funding in order to prepare the site for a public opening.
Nowadays, the area is neglected.
History and architecture The unique
octagonal church (43 m x 52 m) - Ecclesia Kathismatis, was built in honor of the
Virgin Mother of God – Theotokos in 5th century (around 450 – 458 AD) by a rich
and pious widow – Iqilia (some sources call her Hicelia). It was the earliest
Marian church in the Holy Land and one of the first in the whole Byzantine
Empire.
Kathisma was a martyrium, a special structure that functioned as
a church (or a mosque) marking the site of a holy event. The church was built
over a flat limestone rock in the center – the place where according to the
legend, Virgin Mary sat. As in all ancient churches, its main prayer apse was
oriented to the east. Its octagonal shape could have been inspired by the
Constantinian structure built over the Nativity Grotto in
Bethlehem.
Kathisma was
enlarged at the end of the 6th century. Probably because of the rising number of
pilgrims visiting the site, the second layer over the inner octagon was added.
In addition, because of the growing demand for the secondary shrines within the
big monumental martyria, the exterior ambulatory was divided into chapels and
entrance rooms, which were connected by small corner rooms. These enabled
worshippers to pass from each entrance room to a next
chapel.
Archaeological evidence indicates that during the 8th century the
building was used simultaneously as a mosque within the church. A mihrab, or
prayer niche facing Mecca was built into the southern wall of the outermost
octagon. This means that the church was not destroyed during the Persian
conquest (614 AD) and existed at the time of Abd el-Malik who commissioned the
building of the Dome of the Rock, which was also built on the octagonal plan
with a rock in the middle.
The most remarkable feature of the church is a
group of beautiful, very well preserved ancient mosaic floors from the 7th
century. Their designs are geometric with palm leaves and flowers. Yet in few
places there are still distinguishable parts from the original 5th century
mosaic floor.
Kathisma was destroyed in around the 11-12th century,
probably after the defeat of the Crusaders. Since then its location was
forgotten and discovered just recently.
How to get there: The ruins of Kathisma are located near
Mar Elias Monastery, on the way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Bus no. 24 from
Jerusalem to Bethlehem leaves from the bus station next to the Damascus Gate of
Jerusalem’s Old City. You will notice the ruins just after passing a gas station
when approaching the Mar Elias Monastery.
Beata Andonia works for the
Bethlehem tourist bureau and blogs regularly about Bethlehem for Travelujah-Holy
Land Tours. She is originally from Poland and moved to Bethlehem in
2010.
For further information about
Christian tourism and Holy Land tours contact info@travelujah.com.