New Testament is silent about the death of Virgin Mary. As per early Christian tradition, she died on Mount Zion and her body was kept in an underground rock-cut cave in the valley of Jehoshaphat (below the foothills of Mount of Olives). Her body remained in this burial crypt for three days, before she ascended to heaven. It was only a place to keep her body for a short time and hence the tomb actually signifies her glorious Assumption to Heaven. This tradition is first cited in a 2nd Century work called Tansitus Mariae.
There are also records from 6th century that a 5th Century Byzantine Church existed here to commemorate the event. It was destroyed by Persians in 614 AD. Arculf the monk (670 AD) mentions about two churches, one at the lower level and the other at upper level, indicating that the church was rebuilt. Later, Muslims destroyed both the churches (1009), while Crusaders rebuilt them and added a monastery also (1130). At the time of Saladin (1187), the upper church was destroyed, however he left the crypt intact which was holy to Muslims also. He used the masonry of the upper church to build the walls of Jerusalem.
In 14th century, Franciscan Catholics rebuilt the church and in 1757, the church was owned by the Greek Orthodox. Today, the Tomb Complex is possessed mainly by the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox Churches. It is also shared (minor rights) by the Coptic Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox and Abyssinian Churches; and Muslims.
There are also records from 6th century that a 5th Century Byzantine Church existed here to commemorate the event. It was destroyed by Persians in 614 AD. Arculf the monk (670 AD) mentions about two churches, one at the lower level and the other at upper level, indicating that the church was rebuilt. Later, Muslims destroyed both the churches (1009), while Crusaders rebuilt them and added a monastery also (1130). At the time of Saladin (1187), the upper church was destroyed, however he left the crypt intact which was holy to Muslims also. He used the masonry of the upper church to build the walls of Jerusalem.
In 14th century, Franciscan Catholics rebuilt the church and in 1757, the church was owned by the Greek Orthodox. Today, the Tomb Complex is possessed mainly by the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox Churches. It is also shared (minor rights) by the Coptic Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox and Abyssinian Churches; and Muslims.
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