Burqin Church (كنيسة برقين), considered the fifth holiest place for Christians worldwide, and the third oldest church in the world. It is located in the village of Burqin in Palestine’s Jenin Governorate (جنين) in the West Bank, Palestine

Entrance to Burqin Church (كنيسة برقين) Photo by @feryal27

Hidden Palestine

Entrance to Burqin Church (كنيسة برقين), considered the fifth holiest place for Christians worldwide, and the third oldest church in the world. It is located in the village of Burqin in Palestine’s Jenin Governorate (جنين) in the West Bank.

 

It is currently in use by the Palestinian village's small Christian (Greek Orthodox) community, as well as Palestinian Christians from Jenin and the surrounding cities. It is also a popular attraction for pilgrims visiting Palestine from around the world.

 

The church was built on top of a cave in the 4th century, during the Byzantine period in Palestine by Saint Helena. According to Christian tradition, the cave was the site of a miracle:

 

Jesus was passing through on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem when he heard cries for help from ten lepers in the cave, who were living isolated nearby. He encountered them and told them to present themselves to the priests, although they were not yet cured. On their way their leprosy disappeared. Since this miracle, the church became a station for many Christian pilgrims.

 

The church was repeatedly expanded and renovated during the early Muslim period and then during the Ottoman Empire. Today, the church is composed of the lepers' cave and an 18th-century hall and nave.