St. James Cathedral

About St. James Cathedral

Armenian church in East Jerusalem

The Cathedral of Saint James is a twelfth-century Armenian church in the Armenian Quarter of the Old City of Al-Quds, near Zion Gate, and the principal church of the Armenian Patriarchate, also known as the Patriarchate of Saint James. It was described as complete in 1162 and stands, by tradition, over the tomb of St James the Apostle; it is dedicated to two of the Twelve, James son of Zebedee (James the Greater) and James the Just. Armenian pilgrims have been coming to the city since at least the fifth century, and their hand-carved inscriptions still cluster around the holy sites; the cathedral is the heart of that long presence. Its interior is one of the most beautiful sacred spaces in the city: hundreds of oil lamps hang from the ceiling and light it dimly, the floor is thickly laid with oriental rugs instead of pews, and a side chapel is said to hold the head of St James. The highlight of a visit is Armenian vespers, chanted by the seminarians from the seminary across the street. The chant is deeply moving, with a bittersweet tone, and each afternoon a priest announces the service by striking wooden bars hanging in the vaulted porch.

Where:

Jerusalem, Palestine