Assyrian altar in Jerusalem unveiled for first time in 350 years

"It was unveiled in front of members of the community and diplomats after two years of work by a team of Mexican restoration experts from the María Visión Mexican Catholic TV channel. 

Archbishop Mor Anthimos Jack Yakoub, the Syriac Orthodox patriarchal vicar for Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Land, said the completion of the work by the five-man team was nothing short of a miracle and included an eight-month break following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israeli communities and the ensuing two-year war.

According to Syriac Orthodox tradition, the monastery is the site of the house of Mark, where Jesus instructed Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal and is believed to be the location of the Upper Room where the Last Supper, washing of the disciples’ feet, post-Resurrection appearances, and Pentecost occurred, strengthening the first church, he noted."

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Historic altar at St. Mark’s monastery in Jerusalem unveiled for first time in 350 years

“Today we inaugurate a historical wooden structure that is far more than an artistic masterpiece,” Archbishop Yakoub said.

OSV NewsJudith Sudilovsky