Chapel of the Ascension (Jerusalem)

 chapel, christianity

Located near the highest point in Jerusalem is the Chapel of Ascension. Built by order of Queen Helena as part of a vast Church and Monastery complex in 392 AD, this Chapel marks the traditional site where Jesus ascended into heaven. Since its construction, the octogonal chapel has endured many changes. After it was destroyed by the Persions in 614 AD, the Church was rebuilt to its present dimensions by the Crusaders. The site was acquired by emmissaries of Saladin in the year 1198 and has remained in the possession of the Islamic Waqf of Jerusalem ever since. The building was converted to a mosque but was never used by Muslims since the overwhelming majority of visitors were Christian. As a gesture of compromise and goodwill, Saladin ordered the construction of a second mosque and mihrab two years later next door to the Chapel for Muslim worship while Christians continued to visit the main Chapel. In the center of the main dome is a stone that purportedly holds the footprint of Christ as he made his ascent to Heaven

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