About Dominus Flevit
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it…” Luke 19:41
Dominus Flevit is a beautiful teardrop chapel on the upper western slopes of the Mount of Olives. It was built in 1955 over the site of a 5th century Byzantine church. In the grounds are parts of a 1st century necropolis that surrounded the Jerusalem city. Several niches and ossuaries (bone boxes) can be seen in the Jewish burial cave.
Origin of Its Name
The name Dominus Flevit means “The Lord Wept” in Latin, referencing to the occasion of Jesus looking at the city of Jerusalem, prophesying and weeping over the future destruction of Jerusalem during His triumphal entry into the city on the first Palm Sunday (Luke 19:41-44). This was fulfilled when the Romans under Titus destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
Key Features
The window behind the altar in the west wall provides a beautiful view of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Beneath the altar is a modern mosaic of a hen protecting her chicks under her wings, referencing to Luke 13:34.
- The chapel was constructed from 1953 to 1955, making it one of the newest churches in Jerusalem.
- The high pointed dome is meant to evoke the shape of a teardrop to symbolise the Lord’s tears. The ampulla-shaped pillars or ‘tear cups’ of the chapel are said to collect the tears of Jesus.
- The chapel was designed by Antonio Barluzzi who was the Italian architect of several shrines and sanctuaries built during the first half of the 20th century for the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.
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