Church of St. James

Nestled in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, the walled Church of St. James stands as the cathedral of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate. Originally built by Georgians in the eleventh century on the site believed to be where St. James was beheaded, the church was later restored by Armenians in the twelfth century. Within its walls, visitors can see the tomb of another James, the oldest brother of Jesus and author of the Epistle of James, who was martyred in 62 AD. The church’s interior is a visual feast, decorated with hanging lamps, gilded icons, and colorful woven carpets. In the courtyard, a series of intricately carved stone crosses, known as khatchkars, add to the site’s rich historical and cultural significance.