Church of the Holy Sepulcher: An overnight look at Jerusalem's holiest site

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, a site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected, maintains a unique shared ownership arrangement between the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Greek Orthodox churches.

An overnight account of the basilica reveals a nightly ritual where a representative from a Muslim family, entrusted with the keys since the 13th century, secures the heavy doors from the outside. The interior is occupied during the night by clergy, a small number of registered pilgrims, and local animals.

While the site remains a major destination for prayer and contemplation, visitor numbers have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and regional conflicts, including the Israel-Hamas war.