The Church of Saint George in Lod, Israel, is a major shrine for Christians and Muslims. It is believed to be the burial place of Saint George, a Christian martyr revered as the Islamic prophet Al-Khidr.
Furthermore, the church was first built in the Byzantine period but has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. The current structure was completed in 1893.
The church is in the old city of Lod, next to the Mosque of Al-Khadr. The two buildings are connected, and they share a common courtyard.
Moreover, inside the church is a crypt containing a sarcophagus said to be the tomb of Saint George. The sarcophagus is covered in a marble slab with an inscription in Greek and Arabic.
Lastly, the Church of Saint George is a popular pilgrimage site for Christians and Muslims. Visitors come to pray, to seek blessings, and to pay their respects to Saint George.
History of the Church
The Church of Saint George was first built in the 5th century AD, during the Byzantine period. It was a large basilica with three aisles and a semi-circular apse at the east end.
The Sasanids destroyed the church in 614 AD, but the Crusaders rebuilt it in the 12th century. The Crusaders built a fortified church on the site, which they used to protect the road from Jaffa to Jerusalem.
The Mamluks destroyed the Crusader church in the 13th century, but the ruins remained. In the 19th century, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem received permission from the Ottoman authorities to build a new church on the site.
The current church was completed in 1893. It is a small but beautiful building, with a whitewashed exterior and a red-tiled roof.
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The Tomb of Saint George
The crypt of the Church of Saint George contains a sarcophagus said to be the tomb of Saint George. The sarcophagus is covered in a marble slab with an inscription in Greek and Arabic.
The inscription says that the sarcophagus contains the relics of Saint George, who was martyred in 303 AD. The inscription also says that Saint George is a protector of Christians and Muslims alike.
Credit: Bukvoed, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pilgrimage to the Church
Lastly, the Church of Saint George is a popular pilgrimage site for Christians and Muslims. Visitors come to pray, to seek blessings, and to pay their respects to Saint George.
In addition, Christian pilgrims often come to the church to ask Saint George for protection and to pray for healing. Muslim pilgrims often come to the church to ask Saint George for help solving their problems and pray for guidance.
So, the Church of Saint George is a unique and holy place revered by people of all faiths. It is a reminder that we are all connected and can all find hope and inspiration in the life of Saint George. More about the Church of St. George on Wikipedia!