The Dormition Abbey

The monastic church- “the Dormition” is one of the most prominent churches in Jerusalem due to its size, beauty and location that overlooks the old city. The church was built on a plot which the German emperor Wilhelm the 2^nd received from the Ottoman sultan during his visit to the Holy Land in 1898, and it was inaugurated in 1910. The emperor decided to establish here a large church that would demonstrate the strength of Germany, and the building does in fact give a feeling of a fortress.

The church stands out due to its round shape, unlike most of Jerusalem’s churches that are rectangular. The central building is round, as well as the wings and towers surrounding it. Also the cone-shaped dome has a form that is distinct from the other churches of Jerusalem. Another unique characteristic of the church is the integration of motifs from east and west- a massive neo-Romanesque building, which is similar to ancient cathedrals in Europe, combined with white and red stones that characterize the Mameluke architecture. The narrow alleys emphasize the vast dimensions of the church, which is 34 meters high- like a 12 story building. The church was established where, according to tradition, Miriam, mother of Jesus, fell to her death- sleep. The church’s name derives from this event- “The Dormition”, meaning “coma”.

The interior of the church is impressive, with a mosaic floor. The mosaic presents a Latin quotation of the Book of Psalms: “May the Lord bless you from Zion”- a verse referring to Mount Zion where the church stands. The mosaic also depicts the Ark of Noah that drifted on stormy waves. This is a common metaphor in Christianity, symbolizing the belief that only its followers will be saved from the Great Flood at the far distant future.

The church’s floor is covered by a large and round mosaic. The inner circle is comprised of three circles, with the Greek inscription “Agios”- meaning “saint” in Greek. The three circles symbolize the divinity, which sends tongues of fire to the four main prophets: Isaiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, who appear in the second circle. The Gospel is conveyed by them to the 12 prophets and four writers of the gospels, whose names are mentioned in the third circle and they are also depicted in the illustrations: the angle is Mathew, the eagle is John, the bull is Lucas and the lion is Mark. They were the ones who conveyed the Gospels to the whole world, which is symbolized by a zodiac.

The mosaic symbolizes the connection between, and the continuation from the bible- prophets to the apostles and four messengers of the Gospels. In the Apsis at the front of the church facing the east, stands the main altar of the church, with a magnificent mosaic presenting baby Jesus in the hands of his mother Miriam. Jesus holds an open book in which the following text is written in Greek: “I am the light of the world”. Below them stand the prophets who prophesized the coming of the Messiah, their heads surrounded by halos. The alcoves surrounding the hall are secondary altars which were donated by German Catholic communities.

It is recommended that you visit also the underground hall- the Crypt, with Maria’s statue at the center, depicting her in her last sleep. According to the Christian tradition, Maria did not die as a common person. She fell asleep forever and ascended to the skies, where she rules the universe alongside her son Jesus.

On top of the laying statue there is a mosaic of Jesus, surrounded by female characters from the bible and the deuterocanonical books: Ruth, Judith, Yael, Miriam- sister of Moses, Eve and Queen Esther. Like Miriam, they were strong and influential women.