What About Kathisma?...
Is it a Holy Site?
(the Rock of Kathisma)
As far as I know there is no official list of Holy Sites in Israel. The Holy Sites are ones that are generally accepted by the public as such. Normally the holiest site is considered the Temple Mount. Although there is not a Temple there right now, it is still universally considered the holiest site by Christians and Jews. Generally, the second holiest site is considered the tombs of the patriarchs in Hebron or Rachel’s tomb in Bethlehem. Of course Rachel’s tomb encompasses the birthplace of Jesus as well. Rachel’s tomb coupled with the birthplace of Jesus, the Tower of the Flock, David’s well, and Boaz’s threshing floor would certainly be esteemed the second holiest site among Christians and Jews. If the real Bethlehem Ephrata could ever be found it would certainly become one of the most visited holy places in the world.
But Kathisma? Who has ever heard of such a place? Should it be on the list of Holy Sites? Why would it even be considered a Holy Site? Actually, it was considered a Holy Site by Queen Helena in the early fourth century. The Byzantine church also held to Helena’s position in the fifth century. Although the site is virtually unheard of today, it was very important to the Early Church. They protected it and kept it alive!
So what is Kathisma? The name comes from the Greek word meaning a place to relax or recline. There is a large rock that is about 2 meters by 4 meters and a half-meter tall at the center of this site. The rock is flat on the top forming a perfect place for weary travelers to rest. Queen Helena built an octagonal shaped building around the rock to memorialize the location and protect it.
Although this rock is not mentioned in the Bible (by this name) it is mentioned in early Christian writings. This was known as the place where Mary rested before she ascended to the top of the hill where the Tower of the Flock stood to give birth to the Savior. This rock marks the vicinity of the original Bethlehem Ephrata. It also verifies the Biblical account of the birth of the Messiah.
Is Kathisma mentioned in the Bible? No… and yes. It is not mentioned by this name nor is it mentioned that Mary rested here. The significance of this place was great enough for the Early Church to write about it, Queen Helena to build an octagonal building around it, and the Byzantine Church to build a larger building around Helena’s structure. So why would a place Mary stopped to rest be of such great significance? Is there more to the story?
I say yes! The story is about more than just Mary. God uses the stories of His working through people to teach us about Him and His will. One of the most significant people in the Bible is Rachel. Her life reflects the character of God. This is one of the reasons Rachel’s tomb was so important to God’s people. Mary’s story is much like Rachel’s. They both were young women who were pregnant with the future deliverer of God’s people. They both went to Bethlehem Ephrata. Rachel was buried there and Mary gave birth there.
Kathisma was by the road to Bethlehem Ephrata. Rachel died by the road to Bethlehem Ephrata. Mary rested by the road to Bethlehem Ephrata. The near by well makes this rock was a natural resting place. I believe Rachel died on this same rock while giving birth to Benjamin. This place was known in the Hebrew as Zelzah (I Samuel 10:2).
Why was this place so important to the Early Church? It connected the lives of two of the holiest women in the Bible: Rachel and Mary. The rock not only stood as living evidence of the events in the Bible, it stood as a living memorial of the character of Rachel and Mary. These holy women sacrificed all they had to bring a deliverer to God’s people. They were far more concerned about the well being of others than themselves. Their passion was to do God’s will.
I believe we would do well to be more like Rachel and Mary. The church needs less focus on programs and buildings and more focus on displaying the character of God. Kathisma should be a reminder to us to passionately pursue God’s special purpose for each one of us no matter the cost or the outcome. It should remind us to make doing the work of God’s kingdom our top priority.
Thousands of people walk and drive by Kathisma every day. Rarely does anyone stop to remember Rachel, Mary, or the events that happened on that rock. We have become so occupied chasing our own dreams that we don’t hear the rocks crying out!
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016
But Kathisma? Who has ever heard of such a place? Should it be on the list of Holy Sites? Why would it even be considered a Holy Site? Actually, it was considered a Holy Site by Queen Helena in the early fourth century. The Byzantine church also held to Helena’s position in the fifth century. Although the site is virtually unheard of today, it was very important to the Early Church. They protected it and kept it alive!
So what is Kathisma? The name comes from the Greek word meaning a place to relax or recline. There is a large rock that is about 2 meters by 4 meters and a half-meter tall at the center of this site. The rock is flat on the top forming a perfect place for weary travelers to rest. Queen Helena built an octagonal shaped building around the rock to memorialize the location and protect it.
Although this rock is not mentioned in the Bible (by this name) it is mentioned in early Christian writings. This was known as the place where Mary rested before she ascended to the top of the hill where the Tower of the Flock stood to give birth to the Savior. This rock marks the vicinity of the original Bethlehem Ephrata. It also verifies the Biblical account of the birth of the Messiah.
Is Kathisma mentioned in the Bible? No… and yes. It is not mentioned by this name nor is it mentioned that Mary rested here. The significance of this place was great enough for the Early Church to write about it, Queen Helena to build an octagonal building around it, and the Byzantine Church to build a larger building around Helena’s structure. So why would a place Mary stopped to rest be of such great significance? Is there more to the story?
I say yes! The story is about more than just Mary. God uses the stories of His working through people to teach us about Him and His will. One of the most significant people in the Bible is Rachel. Her life reflects the character of God. This is one of the reasons Rachel’s tomb was so important to God’s people. Mary’s story is much like Rachel’s. They both were young women who were pregnant with the future deliverer of God’s people. They both went to Bethlehem Ephrata. Rachel was buried there and Mary gave birth there.
Kathisma was by the road to Bethlehem Ephrata. Rachel died by the road to Bethlehem Ephrata. Mary rested by the road to Bethlehem Ephrata. The near by well makes this rock was a natural resting place. I believe Rachel died on this same rock while giving birth to Benjamin. This place was known in the Hebrew as Zelzah (I Samuel 10:2).
Why was this place so important to the Early Church? It connected the lives of two of the holiest women in the Bible: Rachel and Mary. The rock not only stood as living evidence of the events in the Bible, it stood as a living memorial of the character of Rachel and Mary. These holy women sacrificed all they had to bring a deliverer to God’s people. They were far more concerned about the well being of others than themselves. Their passion was to do God’s will.
I believe we would do well to be more like Rachel and Mary. The church needs less focus on programs and buildings and more focus on displaying the character of God. Kathisma should be a reminder to us to passionately pursue God’s special purpose for each one of us no matter the cost or the outcome. It should remind us to make doing the work of God’s kingdom our top priority.
Thousands of people walk and drive by Kathisma every day. Rarely does anyone stop to remember Rachel, Mary, or the events that happened on that rock. We have become so occupied chasing our own dreams that we don’t hear the rocks crying out!
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016