St Mark's Syriac Church
St Mark's Syriac Church
4.5
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Carol D
Overland Park, KS
Feb 2020
There are advantage of having a Guide who grew up in Old Jerusalem. While we were visiting the old city he took us to a place that a lot of pilgrims may not get to see. A Syrian Church on the site of John Mark (St Mark) mother's home. The place was closed, but our guide was able to get us in for a viewing of the inside of the church. It was interesting that they had a large elaborate decorated curtain covering the altar. One of the priest did open up the curtain so we were able to see the Altar. It is off the beaten path from the more popular pilgrimage sites.
Written June 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
53dju
Glasgow, UK
Jun 2022 • Solo
The Syriac Orthodox church was a nice place to see and have some quality time. They have mass in the evening at 5pm during weekdays which is quite convenient.
They also have a guest house where tourists/pilgrims can stay. Need to email them, they don't have a website but the address is easily found on the net
They also have a guest house where tourists/pilgrims can stay. Need to email them, they don't have a website but the address is easily found on the net
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jojo
Navi Mumbai, India
Oct 2016 • Family
The building which witnessed the Last Supper having replaced by the Church, considered to be the first church after Jesus's resurrection .Believed to be the place where Mary stayed with John. Reminisce of the immortal Leonardo da Vinci Last Supper gave us divine experience.
Written August 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China
May 2017 • Couples
A very interesting small church that we found in Jerusalem is that of St. Mark's in the Armenian Quarter. Opening hours 9-1pm and 3-5pm daily.
The present church dates back to the 12th century and was built upon the foundation of an earlier 4th century church. Of important note, 6th century inscriptions found during restorations in the 1940s, indicates this site to have been the location of the House of Mary, mother of St. Mark the Evangelist. It is also believed that the Last Supper took place upon the grounds of this church.
You can visit with the (free) guidance of church staff who will give a quick (English) explanation in the small worship hall. You will see decorative and gilded altar, iconic images and other items including a parchment painting of the Virgin and Child which is believed to have been painted by St. Mark himself.
You are then shown the direction to walk down into the basement, which would have been the location the Upper Room floor of the building which stood here during Christ's time. According to Syriac believes, this is where Christ's Last Supper occured.
While a bit challenging to find this church without the use of a hand map, we did very much enjoy our short visit. The church guide was kind and pleasant and greatly assisted in pointing out the highlights that you want to look for when visiting the Church of St. Mark's. In the end, it was well worth visiting this place.
Note: Photography is allowed throughout the church with the exception of St. Mark's painting. This is strictly off-limits for taking pictures given the age and delicacy of this ancient artwork.
The present church dates back to the 12th century and was built upon the foundation of an earlier 4th century church. Of important note, 6th century inscriptions found during restorations in the 1940s, indicates this site to have been the location of the House of Mary, mother of St. Mark the Evangelist. It is also believed that the Last Supper took place upon the grounds of this church.
You can visit with the (free) guidance of church staff who will give a quick (English) explanation in the small worship hall. You will see decorative and gilded altar, iconic images and other items including a parchment painting of the Virgin and Child which is believed to have been painted by St. Mark himself.
You are then shown the direction to walk down into the basement, which would have been the location the Upper Room floor of the building which stood here during Christ's time. According to Syriac believes, this is where Christ's Last Supper occured.
While a bit challenging to find this church without the use of a hand map, we did very much enjoy our short visit. The church guide was kind and pleasant and greatly assisted in pointing out the highlights that you want to look for when visiting the Church of St. Mark's. In the end, it was well worth visiting this place.
Note: Photography is allowed throughout the church with the exception of St. Mark's painting. This is strictly off-limits for taking pictures given the age and delicacy of this ancient artwork.
Written May 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RevTim57
Jerusalem, Israel
Mar 2017 • Friends
I had read about St. Mark's somewhere so we headed over to see it when in Jerusalem. The place was closed but we were told to come back a few hours later. We did, and walked into a worship service. It was very awe-inspiring to listen to the small group doing their liturgy in Aramaic. We went downstairs into a dark room. We learned the next day that St. Mark's is believed to be the place of the Upper Room, the Last Supper, the place where Jesus met the disciples after the Resurrection, and the place of Pentecost.
When we returned the next day an elderly woman told us some fascinating stories but because we had to catch our tour, we had to cut her short. She did show us the Icon reputedly painted by St. Luke.
Not sure how much of this is true, but it's a much better place to contemplate the Last Supper, and so on, than the tradition site in upper Jerusalem.
Highly recommended.
When we returned the next day an elderly woman told us some fascinating stories but because we had to catch our tour, we had to cut her short. She did show us the Icon reputedly painted by St. Luke.
Not sure how much of this is true, but it's a much better place to contemplate the Last Supper, and so on, than the tradition site in upper Jerusalem.
Highly recommended.
Written March 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fiosol
Skegness, UK
Feb 2015 • Couples
An ancient church, which it is claimed to be built over the site of the house of John Mark's mother. This could be the location for the last supper, in the upper room, and also for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples on the day of Pentecost.
Because Jerusalem has been destroyed and built over many times, this 'upper room' is now beneath the church and is known as the 'upper room down'.
In the church itself there is an icon of Mary holding the infant Christ, painted on leather. The artist is said to be Saint Luke.
All this is wonderful, but the most special treasure of this place is Justina; she is the most spirit-filled, enthusiastic (in its true meaning), welcoming guide one could wish to meet. She tells of the miracles she has personally experienced and is extremely inspiring.
Prayer is in Aramaic - the language of Biblical times.
Not easy to find, but persist - your visit to Jerusalem will be enriched beyond words.
Because Jerusalem has been destroyed and built over many times, this 'upper room' is now beneath the church and is known as the 'upper room down'.
In the church itself there is an icon of Mary holding the infant Christ, painted on leather. The artist is said to be Saint Luke.
All this is wonderful, but the most special treasure of this place is Justina; she is the most spirit-filled, enthusiastic (in its true meaning), welcoming guide one could wish to meet. She tells of the miracles she has personally experienced and is extremely inspiring.
Prayer is in Aramaic - the language of Biblical times.
Not easy to find, but persist - your visit to Jerusalem will be enriched beyond words.
Written February 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia
Nov 2022
The Syriac Church is an ancient church, tracing its roots to the earliest days of Christianity; it predates Protestant churches by many centuries. St Mark's Church is wonderfully decorated, gaining access is not always easy, it helps if you have a local guide.
Written November 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane K
Daugaard, Denmark
Dec 2018 • Solo
I loved my trip to Jerusalem, however, this was super special. I didn't get a good look at inside the church as there was a service going but it was lovely.
Written January 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
captmom
Seneca, SC
Jan 2018 • Couples
Hopefully Justine will be there to give you her tour. Said to be the first church as it is built over St. Mark's mother's house. they believe it be the site of the Last Supper. there is an icon painted on leather said to be done by St. Luke (though I read somewhere that is was dated to the Byzantine period.) Beautiful church.
Written February 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AttyVette
Texas
Jul 2017 • Couples
Fascinating church and has a leather icon that you cannot take pictures of in the sanctuary. This church says they have the ( real) upper room which is located below their church (as things are built on top of other structures in Israel). See this site and decide for yourself it what they say is true or not.
Written July 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I would like to visit and baptise my son at the church. Is there an email or phone number where I can contact someone to secure a date and time? Please let me know so I can plan my travel. Thank you! Diana!
Written April 2, 2019
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