Reporter Experiences Night Inside Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher
An Associated Press reporter spent a night locked inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, one of Christianity's holiest sites, along with clergy and pilgrims. The church, built over the sites believed to be where Jesus was crucified,…
Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 26, 2026 —
An Associated Press reporter was recently afforded a rare opportunity to spend a night locked inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, a deeply significant site for Christianity.
The church, believed to be built over the locations of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, was secured for the night with the journalist among a select group of clergy and pilgrims. This experience offered a unique perspective on the venerated space after public access concluded.
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is a site of immense religious importance and is jointly administered by three major Christian denominations: the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Catholic Church, and the Greek Orthodox Church. The shared ownership contributes to the complex spiritual and administrative landscape of the holy site.
During the overnight hours, the reporter was able to experience the church’s atmosphere in a quiet and contemplative environment, a stark contrast to its usual daytime activity. The experience highlighted the serene and reflective nature of the space when devoid of crowds.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.
