The Church of St. Anne is a Roman Catholic Church located in the Old City of Jerusalem, at the start of the Via Dolorosa. According to tradition, this site marks the home of Anna and Joachim, the parents of Saint Mary, and is believed to be the location of the grotto where Mary, the mother of Jesus, was born. Nearby lies the Bethesda Pool, mentioned in the Gospel of John as the place where Jesus miraculously healed a paralytic who had been suffering for 38 years (John 5:1-15).
The church is an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture, which you can admire during your Christian tour of Israel. St. Anne’s Church was completed in 1138 by the Crusaders over the ruins of an earlier Byzantine basilica, which itself had been built atop a Roman pagan shrine dedicated to the god of healing, Asclepius. Unlike most Crusader churches, St. Anne’s Church was spared destruction when Muslim forces conquered the Holy Land in the 12th century. In 1192, it was converted into an Islamic seminary, as indicated by the Arabic inscription "Salahiya" above its entrance, honoring the Muslim ruler Saladin. During this period, Holy Land pilgrims were allowed to enter the grotto only after paying an entrance fee.
Eventually, the church was abandoned and fell into ruins until the Ottomans gifted it to France in 1856 as a token of gratitude for French support during the Crimean War. The church was subsequently restored, and much of its original structure remains intact. Today, St. Anne’s Church belongs to the French government and is managed by the White Fathers, a Catholic missionary order known for their white robes.
One of the most remarkable aspects of St. Anne’s Church is its extraordinary acoustics, making it a favorite spot for hymns and prayers. Many Holy Land pilgrims visit the church to sing and worship, creating an atmosphere of deep reverence and spirituality. Visitors are welcome to join in and prepare a song or prayer, regardless of their faith background.
For those embarking on the Stations of the Cross, a visit to St. Anne’s Church before beginning your walk along the Via Dolorosa can provide a meaningful moment of reflection and preparation. As you walk through this sacred space, consider the biblical significance of its surroundings:
- The Birth of Mary: While not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, Christian tradition holds that Mary was born to Anna and Joachim at this location, fulfilling God’s divine plan for the birth of the Messiah (Luke 1:26-38).
- The Bethesda Pool: Described in John 5:1-15, Jesus healed a man who had been ill for nearly four decades, demonstrating His divine power and compassion.
- Jesus’ Journey to the Cross: The church’s location at the beginning of the Via Dolorosa makes it a significant starting point for those tracing Christ’s path to Calvary (Luke 23:26-33).
Whether for historical exploration, spiritual reflection, or worship, the Church of St. Anne stands as a testament to faith, endurance, and the timeless presence of God in Jerusalem. We encourage you to visit this church, especially before you begin walking the Stations of the Cross during your Jerusalem tour.