Home > Sites > Jerusalem > Ein Kerem > Visitation Church

 

Contents: Overview Location History Photos * General view * Exterior * Interior Biblical Refs Etymology Links

Overview:

 

   The Franciscan Visitation church in the village of Ein Kerem (Karem), on the west side of Jerusalem, is named after virgin Mary's visited to the summer house of the parents of John the Baptist. Ein Kerem  is according to tradition the birthplace of John the Baptist.

 

Location:

 

    The Visitation church is located in the village of Ein Kerem, west of Jerusalem (8KM from the center), on the hillside facing the south side of the village. Pointing and clicking on selected points in purple will automatically scroll  to the relevant photo or  site.

  

 

History:

 

Roman       According to Christian tradition, the village was a summer house for Zacharias and Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist. The village was called "city of Juda" in the description of the visit by Luke.    Elizabeth (Elisheva) was the cousin of Mary, mother of Jesus. As per Luke, Mary visited Elizabeth when both were pregnant (hence the name - Church of visitation). During the visit, the baby leapt with joy in Elizabeth's womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, knowing Mary that she is about to give birth to the son of God. Mary then stayed  with her cousin for 3 months until John was born.     John is an important figure in Christianity , and regarded as the "forerunner" - since John Baptized Jesus,  and proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah.      Byzantine       The village and the spring  is Holy for Christians, and several churches and monasteries were built during the Byzantine period. The visitation Crusaders church, on its "upper" floor, was built over one of them.   Crusaders     The Crusaders rebuilt some of the ruined Byzantine churches. The upper floor of the visitation church shows remains of the Crusaders church, especially on the south wing.    Ottoman and Modern times   The visitation church was reconstructed in 1955.  This is a Franciscan church, built in 1955 and designed by the Italian famous church architect, Antonio Barluzzi, who also designed other churches such as the Mount of Beatitudes, Dominus Flevit and Basilica of Agony.

Photos:

 

(a) General view:

 

The facade of the visitation church is seen below, behind the gate.

 

Click on the photos to view  in higher resolution...

 

  The visitation church is located on a southern hill above Ein Kerem. A path leads from the valley, near Mary's spring, to the church. The photo below shows a view of the path. The walls of the church is seen on the right side. On the sunny side of the center of the village of Ein Kerem is the church of St. John with its high bell tower.

 

All photos below are by Uncle Ronnie. He was fascinated from Ein Kerem and highly recommends to visit this site.

 

 

(b) Church Exterior

  

   A closer view of the church, with a new mosaic painting on its wall. The sign reads in Latin "(Custodia) Terrae Sanctae" or: "Custodians of the Holy Land", since the Franciscans are the official custodians of the Holy places since 1342.

   The 5-cross symbol on the left is the Franciscan's symbol.  This symbol was the Crusaders sign of Jerusalem, and was adapted by the Franciscans. It is based on the 5 Holy wounds of the crucifixion  of Jesus (2 in the hands, 2 in the legs, and one in the chest).

 

 

   The mosaic illustrates the visit of Mary. She is shown riding a donkey; in the background is the village of Nazareth, her home town, and the place of her visit ("Ain Karim"). The verse in Latin is from Luke 1, 39: ""And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda". The city of Juda is, according to the tradition, located in Ein Karem.

 

 

(c) Church Interior

 

The church has two floors, with prayers halls on both floors.

 

   On the walls of the lower floor are paintings of various Biblical scenes. In the photo below is the painting of Zacharias, the father of John, who served as a priest in the temple. As per Luke 1,5: "...a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth".
 

 

 

   The scene below shows the visit of Mary in Ein Kerem, meeting Elizabeth. Both women were pregnant at that time - Mary with Jesus and Elizabeth with John. As per Luke 1: 40-41: "...and Mary ... entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost".

 

 

   Another scene shows the Roman soldiers prosecuting the mothers and killing their children in Bethlehem.  This is according to Matthew 2: 16: Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men."

 

 

   From the church, on the right side of the altar, is a tunnel that leads to an ancient well, seen below. From this well, as per the tradition, John and his parents drank from the water.

 

 

In another corner  is the spot where - according to tradition - John hid from the Romans behind a rock.

 

Biblical:

 

 Luke 1: 39-56:

 

The visit of Mary to the house of Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, in Ein Kerem ("city of Juda").

 

"And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house".

 

Etymology (behind the name):

• Kerem - Hebrew: vineyard. As in 1 Kings 23 1: ""And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard".
• Ein, Ma'ayan - Hebrew: spring. Based on "Ma'im" - water. There are dozens of references in the Bible, since water was a major factor in this dry land.
• Ein Kerem (Karem) - the spring of the vineyard.
• BetHaccerem - Hebrew: The house of the vineyard. Beth - house.
• Zacharias - Hebrew: God (Iah) will remember (Zachar) him. Zacharias was a priest, a relative of Jesus and John's father. There are forms of the name - such as Zachariah son of Barachiah - the 6th C BC prophet - who is also referred in the new testament (Matthew 23 35).
• John - the Baptist. from Hebrew, "Yochanan", which means: Yo  (God) + Chanan (Pardoned). Thus the name in Hebrew means " God has pardoned".  Biblical Reference: Mark 1 4,5: "John did baptize in the wilderness...in the river of Jordan".
• Elizabeth - from Hebrew: "My God is my oath";  Eli - my God, Sheva - Hebrew for oath- Shvuah (also: seven).

  Mother of John the Baptist. There are other Elisheva in the Bible - a wife of Aaron (Exodus 6 23: "And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar").

   

   

Links:   On the visitation church: Jerusalem archaeological survey (pdf, Hebrew): 'En Kerem, Church of Visitation   * BibleWalks sites in Ein Kerem:    Overview of Ein Kerem    Mary's spring    St. John Ba Harim   Other sites: Ein Kerem - Ministry of tourism Ein Kerem - Tiuli   On Religion: How were Mary and Elizabeth related?

 

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