Altar - The Chapel of the Tree of the Cross - photograph by Garo Nalbandian

Photograph by © Garo Nalbandian
email - info@garo-jerusalem.com

According to Christian tradition, the tree that furnished the wood for the cross used to crucify Jesus, once grew on the spot where the Monastery of the Cross now stands (Jerusalem).
A shrine marks the spot where the tree was found, in a small crypt chapel at the end of a passage from the north aisle of the church.
A stone base beneath the altar bears a circular opening that marks where the tree once stood. Centered behind the circular opening is a painting depicting Lot pouring the water of Jordan, on the blooming tree, a potent symbol of hope for pilgrims who visit The Monastery of the Cross.1

Credits:
Altar at The Chapel of the Tree of the Cross, photograph by © Garo Nalbandian. Used by permission of Garo Nalbandian; photo can not be used without written permission of the photographer. Garo can be emailed at - info@garo-jerusalem.com

1 - The Chapel of the Tree of the Cross, text information - "The Monastery of the Cross, Where Heaven and Earth meet." Written by Vassilios Tzaferis, Photographs by Garo Nalbandian. Article was published in © Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 2001 (Vol. 27, No. 6) pp. 32-41.

Biblical Archaeology Review - http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/

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