A SMALL PART OF HOLY LAND IN YOUR HOME!!! During biblical times bodies were usually prepared for burial on a large stone, usually hours after the person had passed away. During this period there was nothing like we had today, and bodies were generally prepared by family members, so it was a very personal ritual that was often the last time they would be with their loved ones. The fact that the Stone of the Anointing is where Jesus Christ’s body was prepared makes it an extremely important site for Christians all over the world. The stone that now sits just inside the church was put there in 1810. At this time there was a totally reconstruction of the Church, both inside and out, in order to keep the structure from crumbling due to fire damage that had spread carnage throughout the Church in 1808. The lamps that hang over the stone are contributed by Armenians, Copts, Greeks and Latins.The wall behind the stone was meant to be a temporary addition to the church, but it has not been removed since. |