Don't Move That Ladder!!!!!!!!

[StillStanding]

In a message this morning at church, a visiting preacher spoke on Psalms 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

He brought up the issue at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The church is the oldest Christian building in Jerusalem and is shared by different religious organizations. The primary custodians are the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic and Roman Catholic Church, with lesser duties shared by Coptic, Ethiopian and Syriac Orthodox churches.

There was constant bickering and fighting between the groups, so in 1853 they all came to an agreement called , "Status Quo", in which they all agreed that nothing could be removed or moved in the church building.

Rumor has at the time of the signing of the agreement, somebody was washing the windows using the ladder on the outside of the building. Since nothing could be moved, the ladder had to stay in it's place too! The ladder has now been there for almost 150 years!

A few years ago, a priest moved a chair about a foot to get out of the direct sun. The result was a riot!


Picture from 1890


Recent Picture

How many of our religious traditions have we hung onto (like this ladder issue) without realizing how embarrassing it really looks to the world in general?

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

In a message this morning at church, a visiting preacher spoke on Psalms 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

He brought up the issue at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The church is the oldest Christian building in Jerusalem and is shared by different religious organizations. The primary custodians are the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic and Roman Catholic Church, with lesser duties shared by Coptic, Ethiopian and Syriac Orthodox churches.

There was constant bickering and fighting between the groups, so in 1853 they all came to an agreement called , "Status Quo", in which they all agreed that nothing could be removed or moved in the church building.

Rumor has at the time of the signing of the agreement, somebody was washing the windows using the ladder on the outside of the building. Since nothing could be moved, the ladder had to stay in it's place too! The ladder has now been there for almost 150 years!

A few years ago, a priest moved a chair about a foot to get out of the direct sun. The result was a riot!


Picture from 1890


Recent Picture

How many of our religious traditions have we hung onto (like this ladder issue) without realizing how embarrassing it really looks to the world in general?

I think the ladder is AWESOME!

[StillStanding]

I found this when I Googled about the church!

— In 1995 the church announced it had reached a decision on how to paint a part of the dome in the central part of the structure — but only after 17 years’ debate

[Twisp]

I think that is pretty cool. It is obviously a large part of their history and has historical significance to them. I understand the message the preacher was trying to convey, but it is cool that they do not want to disturb anything, from a historical standpoint.

edit: although, after reading the wiki entry, I see the reason is because they cannot agree on anything, more so than a historical standpoint. I think it is an interesting part of their history, however.

[commonsense]

Originally Posted by Mr. Steinway

In a message this morning at church, a visiting preacher spoke on Psalms 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

He brought up the issue at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The church is the oldest Christian building in Jerusalem......
!


Picture from 1890


Recent Picture

How many of our religious traditions have we hung onto (like this ladder issue) without realizing how embarrassing it really looks to the world in general?

A picture is worth a thousand words.
I think I could preach a few sermons with this visual aid...

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt 15:9

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by commonsense

A picture is worth a thousand words.
I think I could preach a few sermons with this visual aid...

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt 15:9

What is amusing to me, is that the building is falling apart because they can't get agreement. The Israeli government is willing to pay for the repairs if the different factions will only agree on what and how to make the repairs!

[StillStanding]

Another interesting point is that the ladder has now become part of the identity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. (Think Apostolic identity) A silly compromise 150 years ago has now become an icon of the church. It is so entrenched that it will never be removed until the building just collapses!

Even then, if they build a new building, I bet they put a ladder up by the front window to preserve the tradition!

[Cindy]

I imagine sometimes God finds humanity so silly. What does anything of this earth that will fade away have to do with Him?

[seekerman]

The ladder has been moved to the right it appears.

Will satan stop at nothing?????

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by Cindy

I imagine sometimes God finds humanity so silly. What does anything of this earth that will fade away have to do with Him?

I found this quote in a blog response where someone moved the ladder to the other window as a prank or something about a year ago. The ladder was quickly placed back to it's original position to keep a riot from breaking out!

I think the incident shows the depth of the religious traditionalism, that moves to even a radicalism… that knows no reason, save being conformed by mere custom, and finally prejudice.

The depth of religious traditionalism never ceases to amaze!