THE GREEK CHAPEL OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE. 
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was nearly destroyed b} r fire in the year 1808; long 
neglected by the Latin Christians, it was repaired by Russia, which carefully cultivates 
its connexion with the Asiatic Greeks; and in consequence of this expenditure, the Greek 
monks have been put in possession of the most venerated parts of the edifice. 
In the engravinp- the view is directed to the screen, which, as in all the churches of 
the Greek ritual, separates the nave from the altar. Though sculpture is rigidly excluded, 
pictures and other embellishments are largely employed. This chapel is lavishly orna¬ 
mented ; and though it exhibits a barbaric mixture of styles, Greek, Gothic, and Saracenic, 
the general effect is rich in the extreme. The profusion of gilding, the gold and silver 
lamps continually burning, and the elaborate decoration of every part, render the first 
view overpowering. 
Near the centre stands a small vase, to which the Greeks attach great reverence, 
regarding it as the central spot of the earth, and call it the “Navel of the World.” Mr. 
Roberts’s Journal thus describes the scene as it met his own eye: 
“March 31, 1839 (Palm Sunday).—This is a great day at the Holy Sepulchre, and 
we witnessed the procession early in the morning. Perhaps after seeing the splendid sights 
of this kind in Spain, they were seen to disadvantage, still to me they were most interesting. 
The Latins took no part in the spectacle, being shut out on account of the plague, and 
holding no communication with the city. 
“ The first, therefore, in the ceremonial, were the Greeks. Entering from their con¬ 
vent by the grand entrance, they walked three times round the rotunda inclosing the Holy 
Sepulchre, chaunting the service, and each bearing a palm-branch. Their banners and 
dresses were splendid. Their two bishops wearing circular caps and sumptuous robes, 
were supported each by two dignitaries wearing similar robes, crimson velvet embroidered 
with gold. At the head of the procession was carried a representation of Christ on the 
Cross, which the pilgrims pressed forward to kiss. On entering the chapel, the chief 
bishop, ascending the steps to the central opening of the screen, gave his benediction to the 
multitude, holy water was sprinkled, and flowers were strewed on the steps leading to 
the Holy Sepulchre. The two bishops then seating themselves on gilded thrones on either 
side of the chapel, distributed baskets of consecrated bread. 
“ Next followed the procession of the Armenians; their bishop wearing a mitre and a 
robe still more glittering than those of the Greeks, being covered with pearls and precious 
stones on a ground of crimson velvet. The Copts and Syrians joined this procession, being 
too few to form a separate one. The Copts carried a representation of Christ on the Cross 
and banners. But their appearance was poor, and their bishop bore but a staff of ivory, 
while those of the Greeks and Armenians were of chased gold set with gems.” 1 
The point of time in the engraving is when the Armenian bishop has taken his place in 
front of the altar. 
1 Roberts’s Journal. 
