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'{{Infobox religious building | building_name = The Tomb of Lazarus at {{nowrap|1=Bethany}} | image = Lazarus Bethany.JPG | image_size = | alt = | caption = The reputed tomb of Lazarus in [[Bethany]] | map_type = | map_size = | map_caption = | location = {{Flagicon|Israel}} [[Bethany]], [[Israel]] | geo = | latitude = | longitude = | religious_affiliation = [[Christianity|Christian]], [[Islam]]ic | rite = | region = [[Middle East]] | state = | province = | territory = | prefecture = | sector = | district = | cercle = | municipality = | consecration_year = | status = | functional_status = | heritage_designation = | leadership = | website = | architecture = | architect = | architecture_type = | architecture_style = | general_contractor = | facade_direction = | groundbreaking = | year_completed = | construction_cost = | specifications = | capacity = | length = | width = | width_nave = | height_max = | dome_quantity = | dome_height_outer = | dome_height_inner = | dome_dia_outer = | dome_dia_inner = | minaret_quantity = | minaret_height = | spire_quantity = | spire_height = | materials = | nrhp = | added = | refnum = | designated = }} The '''Tomb of Lazarus''' is a traditional spot of [[pilgrimage]] located in the [[Israel|Israeli]] biblical village of [[Bethany (Biblical village)|Bethany]], on the southeast slope of the [[Mount of Olives]], some 2.4&nbsp;km (1.5 miles) east of [[Jerusalem]]. The tomb is the purported site of a miracle recorded in the [[Gospel of John]] in which [[Jesus]] raised [[Lazarus of Bethany|Lazarus]] from the dead.<ref>{{bibleverse||John|11:38–53|NIV}}</ref> == History == The site, sacred to both [[Christians]] and [[Muslims]], has been identified as the tomb of the gospel account since at least the 4th century [[AD]]. As the ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' of 1913 states, however, while it is "quite certain that the present village formed about the traditional tomb of Lazarus, which is in a cave in the village", the identification of this particular cave as the actual tomb of Lazarus is "merely possible; it has no strong intrinsic or extrinsic authority."<ref>{{CathEncy|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09097a.htm|title=Bethany}}</ref> Archeologists have established that the area was used as a cemetery in the 1st century AD, with tombs of this period found "a short distance north of the church."<ref name="Oxford">{{cite book|last=Murphy-O'Connor|first=Jerome |title=The Holy Land: an Oxford archaeological guide from earliest times to 1700 |publisher=Oxford University Press US|year=2008|edition=5th|isbn=978-0-19-923666-4}}</ref> Several Christian [[church (building)|churches]] have existed at the site over the centuries. Since the 16th century, the site of the tomb has been occupied by the al-Uzair Mosque. The adjacent [[Roman Catholic]] [[St. Lazarus Roman Catholic Church, al-Eizariya|Church of Saint Lazarus]], built between 1952 and 1955 under the auspices of the [[Franciscan Order]], stands upon the site of several much older ones. In 1965, a [[Greek Orthodox]] church was built just west of the tomb. [[File: Lazarus Tomb Bethany.ogv|thumb|Lazarus Tomb Bethany]] === Historic church buildings at Bethany === There is no mention of a church at Bethany until the late 4th century AD, but both the historian [[Eusebius of Caesarea]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040505195802/http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/mad/articles/DiSegniOnomasticon.html The Onomastikon of Eusebius and the Madaba Map], By Leah Di Segni. First published in: ''The Madaba Map Centenary'', Jerusalem, 1999, pp. 115–20.</ref> (c. 330) and the [[Bordeaux]] [[pilgrim]] in the ''[[Itinerarium Burdigalense]]''<ref>[http://homepages.luc.edu/~avande1/jerusalem/sources/bordeauxJerus.htm Itinerary of the Pilgrim of Bordeaux] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719232509/http://homepages.luc.edu/~avande1/jerusalem/sources/bordeauxJerus.htm |date=2011-07-19 }}, translated by Arnold vander Nat, 2001.</ref> (c. 333) do mention the [[tomb]] of Lazarus. The first mention of a church dedicated to Saint Lazarus, called the ''Lazarium'', is by [[Jerome]] in 390. This is confirmed by the pilgrim [[Egeria (pilgrim)|Egeria]] in her Itinerary, where she recounts a [[Mass (liturgy)|liturgy]] celebrated there in about the year 410. Therefore, the church is thought to have been built between 333 and 390.<ref name="Franciscan">[http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/san/BET04byz.html Bethany in Byzantine Times I] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306011815/http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/san/BET04byz.html |date=2016-03-06 }} and [https://web.archive.org/web/20000915083408/http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/san/BET05lit.html Bethany in Byzantine Times II], by Albert Storme, Franciscan Cyberspot.</ref> Egeria noted, when the liturgy for Lazarus on the Saturday in the seventh week of Lent was performed, "so many people have gathered that they fill not only the Lazarium itself, but all the fields around."<ref>Translation by J. Wilkinson.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}}</ref> The ''Lazarium'' consisted of the church (to the east of the site), the tomb of Lazarus (to the west), and an open space between the two which probably served as an atrium. The church was in the form of a three-aisle [[basilica]]. The [[apse]], in a solid rectangular block shape, was at the east end. A [[sacristy]] on each side opened into the aisles.<ref name="Franciscan" /> The ''Lazarium'' was destroyed by an earthquake in the 6th century, and was replaced by a larger church. This church was mentioned by the [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic]] [[Pope Theodosius I of Alexandria]] {{circa|518}}<ref>Ayer, Joseph Cullen. A source book for ancient church history: from the Apostolic age to the close of the Conciliar period. Charles Scribner, 1913.</ref> and by the [[Franks|Frankish]] bishop [[Arculf]] in his narrative of the [[Holy Land]] c. 680.<ref>MacPherson, James Rose, trans., [https://archive.org/details/libraryofpalesti03paleuoft The Pilgrimage of Arculf in the Holy Land, about the year A.D. 670] (London: Palestine Pilgrims' Text Society, 1895).</ref> It survived intact until the [[Crusades|Crusader]] era. The second church followed the same general plan as the first, but the apse was situated about {{convert|13|m|ft}} to the east in order to create a larger atrium. A chapel was built on the south side of the atrium.<ref>[http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/san/BET06byz.html Bethany in Byzantine Times III], by Albert Storme, Franciscan Cyberspot.</ref> In 1138, [[King Fulk]] and [[Queen Melisende]] obtained the village of Bethany from the [[Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem|Latin patriarch]] in exchange for land near [[Hebron]]. The queen built a large [[Benedictine]] [[convent]] dedicated to [[Mary of Bethany|Mary]] and [[Martha]] to the south of the tomb and church. Melisende had extensive repairs made to the 6th-century [[Byzantine]] church, which remained the focal point of pilgrimages. For the use of the convent, the queen had a new church built over the tomb of St. Lazarus with a [[Apsidiole|triapsidiole]] east end supported by [[barrel vaults]] (the largest of which would be used for the currently existing mosque). This new church was dedicated to St. Lazarus and the older church was reconsecrated to Sts. Mary and Martha. Melisende also fortified the complex with a tower.<ref name="Oxford" /><ref>[http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/san/BET08mid.html Bethany of the Middle Ages], by Albert Storme, Franciscan Cyberspot.</ref> After the [[Siege of Jerusalem (1187)|fall of Jerusalem]] in 1187, the nuns of the convent went into exile. The new west church was most likely destroyed at this time, with only the tomb and barrel vaulting surviving. The 6th century church and tower were also heavily damaged at this time but remained standing. The village seems to have been abandoned thereafter, though a visitor in 1347 mentioned Greek monks attending the tomb chapel.<ref name="SacredDestinations">[http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-bethany.htm Bethany – Jerusalem] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820075541/http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-bethany.htm |date=2009-08-20 }}, Sacred Destinations.</ref> ==The tomb== The entrance to the tomb today is via a flight of uneven rock-cut steps from the street. As it was described in 1896, there were twenty-four steps from the then-modern street level, leading to a square chamber serving as a place of prayer, from which more steps led to a lower chamber believed to be the tomb of Lazarus.<ref name ="Modern">In ''The Biblical World'' '''8'''.5 (November 1896:40).</ref> The same description applies today.<ref>[http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/san/BET09mod.html Modern Bethany] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007062326/http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/san/BET09mod.html |date=2013-10-07 }}, by Albert Storme, Franciscan Cyberspot.</ref><ref name="Sacred Destinations">[http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-bethany.htm "Sacred Destinations"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820075541/http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-bethany.htm |date=2009-08-20 }}.</ref> The steps enter the antechamber (3.35 m long by 2.20 m wide) through the north wall; the outline of the former entrance via the mosque can still be seen on the east wall. The floor of the antechamber is two steps above the floor level of the mosque, possibly due to rock falls from the soft limestone ceiling during construction of the Crusader-era church above the tomb. The Crusaders strengthened the tomb itself with masonry, which obscures most of the original rock surface (except for a few holes).<ref name="Oxford" /> The alignment of the tomb and antechamber suggests they predate the Byzantine churches and may very well be from the time of Jesus.<ref name="Sacred Destinations" /> Three steps connect the antechamber with the inner burial chamber (which measures a little more than two square metres in size). It contains three funerary niches ([[Arcosolium|''arcosolia'']]), now mostly hidden by the Crusader masonry. One tradition places the tomb of Lazarus to the right of the entrance, which was formerly closed by a horizontal stone. Tradition also says that Jesus was standing in this antechamber when he called Lazarus from the grave.<ref name="Modern" /> ==Current structures== ===Mosque of al-Uzair=== {{Infobox religious building | building_name = Mosque of al-Uzair | image = | caption = | location = {{Flagicon|Palestine}} [[al-Eizariya]], [[West Bank]] | geo = | religious_affiliation = [[Islam]] | province = | district = | consecration_year = | status = | leadership = | website = | architecture = yes | architect = | architecture_type = | architecture_style = | facade_direction = | year_completed = 16th Century | construction_cost = | specifications = | capacity = | length = | width = | width_nave = | height_max = | dome_quantity = | dome_height_outer = | dome_height_inner = | dome_dia_outer = | dome_dia_inner = | minaret_quantity = | minaret_height = | spire_quantity = | spire_height = | materials = }} By 1384, a simple [[mosque]] had been built on the site of the existing structures.<ref name="Sacred Destinations" /> In the 16th century, the [[Ottoman empire|Ottomans]] built the larger [[al-Uzair Mosque]] to serve the town's (now Muslim) inhabitants and named it in honor of the town's patron saint, Lazarus of Bethany.<ref name=Shahinp332>{{cite book|title=Palestine: A Guide|author=Mariam Shahin|publisher=Interlink Books|year=2005|page=[https://archive.org/details/palestine00mari/page/332 332]|isbn=1-56656-557-X|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/palestine00mari/page/332}}</ref> The construction utilized the surviving barrel vaulting of the former west church. Its courtyard is in the Byzantine church atrium. For 100 years after the mosque was constructed, Christians were invited to worship in it, but the practice was frowned upon by European church authorities who preferred for adherents of the faiths to remain separate.<ref name=Shahinp332/> As Christian access to the tomb became more difficult, the Franciscans were eventually permitted (between 1566 and 1575<ref name="Oxford" />) to cut a new entrance into the tomb on the north side. At some point the original entrance from the mosque was blocked. This entrance can still be seen in the east wall of the church's antechamber. ===Catholic Church of Saint Lazarus=== {{Main|St. Lazarus Roman Catholic Church, al-Eizariya}} In 1863, the [[Franciscan#Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land|Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land]] gained title to a plot of ground close to the tomb of Lazarus. Other areas were acquired later.<ref>[http://www.arxitecture.org.uk/arx47f.htm Church of St. Lazarus, Bethany] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175027/http://www.arxitecture.org.uk/arx47f.htm |date=2016-03-03 }}, Antonio Barluzzi and the Pilgrimage Churches.</ref> Between 1952 and 1955, a modern church dedicated to St. Lazarus was built on this property over the remnants of the former Byzantine and Crusader east churches. The courtyard of this church stands over the west end of the older churches. Parts of the original [[mosaic]] floor are still visible here.<ref name="Shahinp332"/> The west wall of the courtyard contains the west facade of the 6th century basilica, as well as its three doorways. About twenty-five metres up a hill northwest of the church is the modern entrance to the Tomb of Lazarus. ===Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Lazarus=== {{Infobox religious building |building_name=Church of Saint Lazarus |image= |caption= |location={{Flagicon|Palestine}} [[al-Eizariya]], [[West Bank]] |geo= |religious_affiliation=[[Greek Orthodox]] |province= |district= |consecration_year= |status= |leadership= |website= |architecture=yes |architect= |architecture_type= |architecture_style= |facade_direction= |year_completed=1965 |construction_cost= |specifications= |capacity= |length= |width= |width_nave= |height_max= |dome_quantity= |dome_height_outer= |dome_height_inner= |dome_dia_outer= |dome_dia_inner= |minaret_quantity= |minaret_height= |spire_quantity= |spire_height= |materials= }} In 1965, a modern Greek Orthodox church was built just west of the Tomb. Its construction incorporates the north wall of the former medieval Benedictine chapel.<ref name="Oxford" /> Nearby the church are ruins that belong to the [[Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem|Orthodox Patriarchate]] and are traditionally identified either as the House of [[Simon the Leper]] or Lazarus. <br /> <gallery> File:Entrance to Lazarus' burial chamber.jpg|Burial Chamber Entrance File:Booth-Lawley-Lazarus-1905.jpg|[[Generals of The Salvation Army|General]] [[William Booth]] and [[Commissioner John Lawley]] of [[The Salvation Army]] at the Tomb in 1905 File:Lazarus tomb 1906.jpg|Tomb Entrance Circa 1906 File:Israel Bethany Lazarus church.JPG|Roman Catholic Church File:Bethany Lazarus church mosaics.jpg|Catholic Church Mosaics File:Greek Orthodox Church al-Eizariya.jpg|Greek Orthodox Church </gallery> == See also == * {{OSM|n|432267397}} == References == {{reflist}} {{Coord|31|46|17.98|N|35|15|21.25|E|display=title}} {{Religious Sites in the Palestinian Authority|state=expanded}} {{Jerusalem Governorate}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Saint}} [[Category:Churches in the West Bank]] [[Category:Articles containing video clips]] [[Category:Tombs of biblical people|Lazarus]] [[Category:Tombs in the State of Palestine]]'