Ein Karem, Jerusalem – Palestine
Coordinates: 31.764444, 35.157778
The Church of the Visitation is a Catholic church in Ein Karem, Jerusalem, and honors the visit paid by the Bibi Maryam رضي الله عنها, the mother of Hz. Isa عليه اسلام , to Bibi Elizabeth رضي الله عنها, the mother of Hz. Yahya عليه اسلام.
Tradition
Three different locations in Ein Karem became connected with the life of Hz. Yahya عليه اسلام and turned into points of interest for pilgrims: a cave within the village, a site on a hill south of it, and the village’s main water fountain.
The events connected to the sites are:
The meeting between Bibi Maryam رضي الله عنها and her cousin Bibi Elizabeth رضي الله عنها,
The home of Hz. Zakariyyah عليه اسلام and Bibi Elizabeth رضي الله عنها,
The birth of Hz. Yahya عليه اسلام, and the hiding place of Bibi Elizabeth رضي الله عنها and Hz. Yahya عليه اسلام.
A hymn (from bible) written in 50 language
On the wall opposite the church, ceramic plaques reproduce Bibi Maryam’s رضي الله عنها hymn of praise, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) in some 50 languages.
Stone of hiding
In the lower chapel a huge stone set in a niche is known as the Stone of Hiding. According to an ancient tradition, the stone opened to provide a hiding place for the baby Hz. Yahya عليه اسلام during Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents, an event depicted in a painting on the wall.
Old Well
In the lower chapel, a vaulted passage leads to an old well. An ancient tradition tells that a spring joyfully burst out of the rock here when Bibi Maryam رضي الله عنها greeted Bibi Elizabeth رضي الله عنها.
Note: Information in this article comes from Christians sources.
