The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is one of the holiest sites in Christianity. It is believed to be the place where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. The church is shared by six Christian denominations: Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Roman Catholic, Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox. Each of them has a designated area and a specific time for worship and ceremonies.
But there is one object that does not belong to any of them: a wooden ladder that has been placed under a window of the church since at least 1757. The ladder is known as the immovable ladder, because it cannot be moved without the agreement of all six parties. The ladder symbolizes the status quo that prevents any changes to the church without the consent of all parties. The status quo was established by a firman (decree) issued by Ottoman Sultan Osman III in 1757.
The ladder has remained in its place for centuries, despite several attempts to remove or relocate it by various authorities and individuals, such as the British Mandate, the Jordanian government, Pope Paul VI, Israeli police and tourists. The ladder has also witnessed violent clashes between different Christian groups over minor disputes, such as moving a chair, opening a door, cleaning a window or conducting a procession. Some of these incidents have resulted in injuries and arrests.
The ladder is more than just a physical object. It is a symbol of the complicated reality of the church and the city. It is a symbol of the sensitivity and complexity of the place. It is a symbol of the fear and resistance to change. It is a symbol of the division and conflict among Christians.
But the ladder is also more than just a symbol. It is a reminder that God works through our weakness and our brokenness. It is a reminder that God can use even a simple object to teach us humility and love. It is a reminder that we have a common history and a common faith.
And the ladder is also a sign of hope. It shows that even though we have differences and conflicts, we can still coexist and respect each other. It shows that we have a potential for dialogue and cooperation. It shows that we have a challenge to overcome our divisions and prejudices.
The immovable ladder is not just a story of faith, conflict and hope in Jerusalem. It is also a story of faith, conflict and hope for all Christians around the world.
As Dr. Yisca Harani, an expert on Christianity and pilgrimage in the Holy Land, said: “The ladder is not just about a physical object. It’s about the mentality of the people who live here. They are afraid of change. They are afraid of losing their rights. They are afraid of losing their identity.”
Relevant articles:
- Immovable Ladder on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Atlas Obscura, June 22, 2010
- Christian Monks Square Off at One of Jerusalem’s Holiest Sites, The Daily Beast, July 4, 2013
- ‘Immovable ladder’ which hasn’t moved for 266 years to avoid religious war, LADbible, May 2, 2023
- The Immovable Ladder: A Symbol of Christian Unity and Division, Christianity Today, September 14, 2023
- Jerusalem’s ‘immovable ladder’ sparks interfaith row, BBC News, September 15, 2023
- The Ladder That Divides Christians in Jerusalem, The New York Times, September 16, 2023