Location Burqin, West Bank Province Jenin Governorate | Completed 12th century | |
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Affiliation Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem Similar Great Mosque of Nablus, Al‑Khadra Mosque, An‑Nasr Mosque, Mosque of Omar, Shalom Al Yisrael Synagogue | ||
Burqin church burqin jenin palestine
Burqin Church (Arabic: كنيسة برقين) or St. George's Church (كنيسة القديس جاورجيوس) is a Byzantine-era Orthodox Christian church in the Palestinian West Bank town of Burqin. It is considered to be the fifth-oldest Christian holy place and the third-oldest church in the world. The church has been restored several times and is currently in use by the village's small Orthodox Christian community.
Contents
History
According to Christian tradition, Jesus had passed through Burqin on his way to Jerusalem from Nazareth and as he was passing by the village he heard cries for help from ten lepers who were isolated in quarantine. He encountered them and passed his hand on their faces and then they were immediately cured. Since this miracle, the church became a station for many Christian pilgrims.
Excavations show that the church passed through four different historical periods. The first church was built during the Byzantine era in the cave where the miracle took place. The cave appeared to be a Roman cistern, having an opening at the top and containing an altar. During the 6th–9th centuries it was gradually extended to the front of the cave. Afterwards the church was abandoned for unapparent reasons, but was renovated during the 12th century and enclosed by a stone wall. In the 13th century the church was used as a school. Today, it is composed of the leper cave and an 18th-century-era hall and nave.
Renovations
The administration of the site have said they discovered old remains when they renovated the church, such as oil lamps, Bibles and stamps, in addition to three big Roman-era wells.