Il Santo Sepolcro, orientamento astronomico della basilica e le omelie di san Cirillo di Gerusalemme

TL;DR

This paper explores the astronomical and topographic alignment of key holy sites in Jerusalem, linking biblical symbolism, ancient urban planning, and early Christian liturgical practices to understand their sacred orientation.

Contribution

It provides a multidisciplinary analysis combining astronomical, topographic, and historical perspectives on the orientation of Jerusalem's holy sites and their theological significance.

Findings

Alignments correspond to biblical and theological symbolism.

The orientation reflects Roman urban planning principles.

Connections to early Christian liturgical practices are discussed.

Abstract

On the spur of Calvary the Shroud appears. On this rock the Scriptures are fulfilled, and this rock, located exactly to the West of the Temple of Jerusalem, becomes mystically the new orient, place of the Resurrection of the Lord. The alignements between the three holy places for the three monotheistic religions, the Anastasis, the Temple, now Dome of the Rock, and the Chapel of the Ascension with the East-West axis are here measured and commented both from an astronomical and topographic point of view, enlighted by the urbanistic roman concepts of Vitruvius and the catechesis of saint Cyril bishop of Jerusalem 13 years after the inauguration of the Constantinian buildings at the Holy Sepulcre.