The Church and Monastery of Megali Panagia is situated in the heart of Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter. By local tradition of the Greek-Orthodox church, the monastery was built where Mary, the mother of Jesus, watched her sons’ crucifixion at the Golgotha. Indeed, The Golgotha is merely 30 meters away, within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The monastery was built at the turn of the 6^th century by Patriarch Elias I and is maintained to this day by the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate.

The humble-sized church presents some relics, including those of St. James, St. John the Baptist, and various Greek saints. They also include the relics of Emir Tounon, a Muslim who witnessed the miracle of the cracked pillar at the Holy Sepulchre. In return, he shouted, “Great is the faith of the Greek” and “Behold the true faith” and converted to Christianity. Later the Muslim Ottomans authorities martyred him and burnt him alive. The church also displays several icons. One of them, the Icon “Virgin Hodegetria,” is said to be painted by Saint Luke.

Tomb of St. Melania

A chapel beneath the church is said to be the tomb of Saint Melania, who lived in Jerusalem. The chapel presents the chains Saint Melanie used to hold her down when she prayed. By local tradition, she used a tunnel from this chapel to reach the Holy Sepulchre underground every night. She spent the nights praying in the Holy Sepulchre and return early in the morning.

Touring the Church of Megali Panagia

The Church is open every day till noon and charges a humble entry fee.

A church tour can be combined with a day tour of Jerusalem.