The Holy Land (Latin: Terra Sancta) is a theocratic state in the Middle East, located near to the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Government

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Form of government

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Composition of government

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History

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External Political Conflicts

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Israel

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Caspian

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Persian Empire

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Antioche

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Architecture

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Saint James the Less Cathedral Basilica

Purpose

The Saint James the Less Cathedral Basilica (Latin: Ecclesia Cathedralis Basilicae Sancti Iacobi Fratris Domini) contains the See of the Archbishop of Jerusalem and therefore represents the spiritual and ecclesiastical center of the Archdiocese of Jerusalem. As the principal and mother church of the archdiocese, it is the place from which the local Archbishop exercises the duties of evangelization, liturgical service and pastoral supervision related with his office.

Construction

The construction of the cathedral was completed in April 2023. It is constructed according to the model of the real-life existing St. Peter's Church (located in Jaffa, Tel Aviv District, Israel) in the style of New Spanish Baroque. In August 2023, a Benedictine chapel was added to the left wing of the cathedral. This was supposed to symbolize, appreciate and honor the importance and impact of the Benedictine order for the Holy Land. In December 2023, a cemetery was completed on the left outside of the cathedral where memorials and graves are placed to honor and remember notable figures of the past, which had essential impact on the Holy Land: Among others, Canonicus Hononarius Diaconus NoSurfZone for his contribution to the construction of the city (May-December 2023), Monsignor Canonicus Hillsgolf for his great financial support (March-September 2023) and Pater Justice for his self-sacrificial military service (March-June 2023).

The cathedral has in total eight altars and has a traditional ad orientem direction. It contains a high altar, six side altars and one altar in the Benedictine chapel. The high altar is consecrated to St. James the Less (also known as James, brother of the Lord), thus the name of the cathedral. He was one of the Apostles and according to early Christian tradition first Bishop of Jerusalem. Four of the six side altars are dedicated to important saints from each of the four eastern patriarchates of the ancient church pentarchy: [1] John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople. [2] Ignatius of Antioch, Patriarch of Antioch. [3] Athanasius of Alexandria, Patriarch of Alexandria. [4] Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem. The four patriarchal side altars are positioned in the cathedral according to the direction of the respective geographical location of the four patriarchal seats. The two other side altars are dedicated to two important figures of the Catholic faith: One is dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, while the other is dedicated to the first Roman Pope, St. Peter the Apostle. The altar in the chapel is dedicated to the father and founder of the Benedictine order, St. Benedict.

Consecration and Honors

The cathedral was personally consecrated by Pope Clement XV in April 2023 as part of the Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In June 2023, Pope Clement XV granted the cathedral the honorary title of a basilica.

Coat of Arms

The cathedral has a characteristic coat of arms for a basilica with the so-called umbraculum. The coat of arms depicts two angels venerating the eucharistic host with the inscription JHS (Latin: Jesus Hierosolymae Salvator, 'Jesus, Saviour of Jerusalem') in a monstrance. The Saw is the symbol for St. James the Less: It represents the method of St James's martyrdom. The Jerusalem cross is placed on the lower half.