Dominus flevit

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Dominus Flevit Church , Jerusalem
View from Dominus Flevit to Jerusalem

Dominus flevit ( Latin for "The Lord wept") is the name of a small Roman Catholic church on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem .

overview

The church belongs to the Order of the Franciscans (OFM) was built in 1955 according to the plans of Antonio Barluzzi on the foundations of a Byzantine church from the 6th century and commemorates the mourning of Jesus in the knowledge of the coming destruction of Jerusalem. The sensational excavations carried out by the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum under the direction of Father Bellarmino Bagatti between 1953 and 1955. uncovered a Judeo-Christian cemetery from the 1st century. The ossuaries, or stone coffers for storing the bones, have numerous scribbles with some of the oldest Christian symbols. Particularly striking is a monogram of the “Constantinian” type, which apparently dates from much earlier Jewish Christian times ( Constantine died in 337 AD). Valuable sarcophagi with plant decorations or geometric patterns were also found, which can be seen today in the Museum of the Flagellation.

To the left of the main entrance are the remains of a Christian mosaic from the Byzantine period, which were uncovered when today's church was rebuilt. Some very rare motifs (e.g. a pierced pearl based on the corresponding parable of Jesus) are particularly worth seeing. The teardrop shape of the dome is architecturally striking. The architect installed "tear vases" on the four sides of the dome, alluding to a custom in his home country of keeping the last tear of a dying person in special containers.

Dominus Flevit - The Lord wept

Jerusalem! Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers that were sent to you. How often have I wanted to gather your children around me, like a hen takes her chicks under her wings; but you didn't want to. That is why your house (of God) is being left. And I tell you: From now on you will not see me again until you cry: “Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mt 23: 37-39 EU )
And when he came near, he saw the city and wept over it and said: Even if you also recognized at that time what serves for peace! But now it's hidden from your eyes. Because a time will come over you when your enemies will throw up a wall around you, besiege you and press you on all sides and will level you to the ground with your children in you and leave no stone unturned in you because you will Did not realize the time when you were haunted. (Lk 19.41-44 EU )

The church is best known for its interior photos , because, unlike other Christian churches, the Dominus Flevit is not oriented to the east, but to the west: through a window behind the altar, the view of the old town falls in the direction of salvation in the Christian faith performing Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Dome of the Rock , both of which are (almost) at the same height as the Dominus Flevit. The most beautiful sight is given in the morning and (earlier) morning hours (sun).

tourism

The church and its garden are open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (usually closed for one hour at noon. Please note the dress code: covered knees and shoulders). Admission is free. A donation is requested in the church. Reservations are possible for closed group services (max. 45 minutes) - the church is closed to other visitors during this time.

  • Interior with a view of the Temple Mount

  • Mosaic and base plate with cross

  • View from the west

Web links

Commons : Dominus flevit  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 31 ° 46 ′ 40.9 ″  N , 35 ° 14 ′ 30.2 ″  E