Pictures from the Office of the Paraclesis at the Melkite Catholic Patriachate, Our All-Night Vigil at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and Morning Mass at the Church of the Flagellation - August 8-9, 2011 - (Matthew Mac Donald)

Yesterday afternoon, some of us went to the Melkite Catholic Patriachate of Jerusalem to attend the chanting of the Office of the Paraclesis in Arabic. This office is recited by Eastern Rite Catholics from August 1 until August 14 in preparation for the Feast of the Dormition (Assumption) of Mary. There is a plenary indulgence attached to it for those who recite it together in a church. One can find an abbreviated version of this prayer service here.

The Iconostasis at the Church of the Melkite Catholic Patriarchate 

Icon of the Crucifixion

Icon of the Transfiguration

Dome of the Church

Picture of the Skyline of Jerusalem and the Domes of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Later that night around 8:30PM, we arrived at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for our all night vigil. The vigil would begin after the closing of the church doors, which is governed under the rule known as the Status Quo. We were allowed to ring books and religious articles but we were not allowed to sing or sleep in the Church during the vigil. This rule was implemented during Muslim times and gives rites of governance over the Church to the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Catholic Churches, with the Greek Orthodox having the most privileges. This rule states that no part of common territory within the Church can be rearranged without the consent of all the communities. It also entrusts the keys to the Church to a Muslim family which has been their custodians since the 1200's which opens the Church daily at 5AM and closes it nightly at 9PM. This was implemented to prevent fighting by the different religious groups in the Church but fighting unfortunately still breaks out on occasion.

Getting ready to close the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Slab upon which the Body of Christ was rapped with burial cloths after  He was taken down from the Cross

Our group waiting for the church to close

Pilgrims waiting for the closing of the Church

An Italian Franciscan Priest conversing with us

The "Status Quo" in action

A Franciscan Brother closing the Church door

The Handing off of a latter to a Muslim family who makes sure the doors are locked

Final closing

Our All Night Vigil Begins

Tomb of the Resurrection

Iconostasis of the Greek Orthodox Chapel

Picture of the Risen Christ

Gate to the Coptic Orthodox Chapel of the Head of the Risen Christ

Inside the Coptic Orthodox Chapel

Above the Entrance to the Tomb

Inside the Chapel of the Angels in the Tomb of the Resurrection

A piece of the stone that covered the Tomb of Christ that the angels moved 

The Actual Tomb of the Resurrection

Where the Body of Christ was laid in the tomb. The Greek inscription reads "Christ is Risen"

Image of the Risen Christ in His Tomb

Icon of the Blessed Mother

Chapel of the Flagellation and the Crowning with Thorns

Graffiti left by pilgrims from crusader times

Altar of Our Lady of Sorrows at Calvary

Calvary and the Image of Our Crucified Lord

Saint John at the foot of the cross

The Blessed Mother at the Foot of the Cross

The Altar of the Crucifixion at Calvary. The metal circle underneath the altar and the Icon of Christ indicates the point where the Cross of Christ was raised on Calvary above the skull of Adam.

Mosaic of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac

Mosaic of the Weeping Women of Jerusalem

The Mater Dolorosa Chapel at Calvary belonging to the Franciscans which commemorates the spot where Jesus was stripped of His garments and nailed to the cross

The Top of the Greek Orthodox Chapel

The Chapel of the Skull of Adam

The Doors of the Franciscan Chapel of the Apparition of the Risen Lord to the Blessed Mother

Franciscan Altar of Christ appearing to Saint Mary Magdalene

Picture of Saint George

Armenian Chapel marking the spot where Saint Mary Magdalene saw Jesus crucified at Calvary

Upper part of the Armenian Orthodox Chapel

Greek Orthodox Deacon incensing the Altar of Calvary

Armenian Orthodox Deacon Incensing the Altar of Calvary

Coptic Orthodox Deacon Incensing the Church

Coptic Orthodox Deacon incensing the Franciscan Altar of Saint Mary Magdalene

A Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy at the Tomb of the Resurrection

Greek Orthodox Priest celebrating the Divine Liturgy at the Tomb of the Resurrection

Armenian Orthodox Priest and Deacon about to begin their Divine Liturgy

Armenian Orthodox Divine Liturgy at the Tomb of the Resurrection

Armenian Orthodox Subdeacons and Ministers participating at their Divine Liturgy

An Orthodox Monk preparing to open the doors at 5AM

The doors are opened

Our Group having Mass the next day at the Chapel of the Flagellation on the Via Dolorosa