Holy Land
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 Alliances
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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, Patriarch of Antioch. [3] Athanasius, 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 depicted saw serves as symbol for St. James the Less: It represents the method of his martyrdom. The Jerusalem cross is placed on the lower half.
Gallery
St. James Cathedral Coat of Arms
frontside view, Central Square
inside view, St. James Cathedral
inside view, St. James Cathedral Basilica
inside view, St. James Cathedral Basilica
inside view, St. James Cathedral
inside view, St. James Cathedral
inside view, St. James Cathedral Basilica
inside view, Benedictine Chapel
inside view, Benedictine Chapel
outside view, St. James Cemetery
outside view, St. James Cemetery
outside view, St. James Cemetery
outside view, St. James Cemetery
outside view, St. James Cemetery
frontside view, Central Square
Crypt of the Noble Army of Martyrs
Purpose
The crypt, also known as the under-church, is a place used for liturgical purposes and for storing the tombs of saints, relic shrines, altars and other valuable objects of sacred origin. According to early Christian custom, the crypt originally contained the relics of a martyr. Based on this and with reference to the early Christian prayer Te Deum, the crypt of the Cathedral of St. James was named the Crypt of the Noble Army of Martyrs.
Construction
As is usual for crypts, it is located under the altar room and has a curved roof with a large number of pillars. The entrance to the crypt is located at the left outside of the cathedral in the cemetery. It contains an altar dedicated to the Noble Army of Martyrs, a statue of St. Mary, a statue of St. Joseph and statues in the sanctuary depicting the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for God in the Holy Land. Among these martyrs are saints who shed their blood for Christ on the ground of the Holy Land, including the Holy Innocents, St. Stephanus, St. John the Baptist, St. James the Less and St. James the Great. The exact year of construction has not been preserved to the present day.
Gallery
inside view, Crypt of the Noble Army of Martyrs
inside view, Crypt of the Noble Army of Martyrs
Cathedral Chapter
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Archiepiscopal Residence
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