Bethany or "Al-E'izariya"
It is one of the administrative towns of Al-Quds Governorate, located to the southeast of the Mount of Olives, 2 km east of Jerusalem. It is bordered to the south by Abu Dis and by the Dead Sea to the east. Its population is more than twenty-two thousand and is currently connecting the north and south of the West Bank.
Bethany is associated with the miracle of Jesus Christ when he raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, were dear friends of Jesus. When their brother fell ill, the sisters sent a messenger to Jesus to inform him of Lazarus’s sickness. Instead of hurrying to see Lazarus, Jesus remained where he was two more days. When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead and in his tomb for four days. Jesus ordered that the gravestone be rolled away, and then raised Lazarus from the dead.
During the successive historical periods, Bethany was known by several names, the oldest of which were Ananiah, Beit Aniah, and Bethany. In the Roman and Byzantine periods, it was known as Lazarium in relation to the tomb and Church of Lazarus.
Al-'Eizariya was also known as Bethany in relation to the town where Lazarus used to live, which was a home for the poor and a place to take care of the sick. The name of the current Arab name of Al-'Eizariya is derived from the story of Lazarus. In the Islamic period a shrine and a mosque were erected over the tomb named al-Uzair. This represents a clear example of the cultural coexistence and continuity of civilization throughout the ages.
The Tomb of Lazarus/ Elia’zer
It is believed that the tomb of Lazarus was at the edge of the Roman town of Al-'Eizariya. The tomb was cut in the rock and contained a burial chamber. In the Crusader period some changes were done in the shape of the tomb. It is entered via a flight of 24 steps which leads to a antechamber that once contained an entrance at its eastern wall which was closed later. This antechamber is connected to the burial chamber through an aperture through which the visitor can look into the burial chamber or can descend into the burial chamber. It is believed that it was here where Jesus stood and called Lazarus to come out of the tomb.
Bethany through history
The earliest archaeological evidence at Bethany are tombs dating back to the Bronze Age, as well as pottery fragments dating back to the Persian (539-332 BC) and the Hellenistic (332-63 BC) periods. The site also revealed tombs dating back to the Roman period. In the Roman period, Bethany witnessed religious events associated with the passing of Jesus Christ between Jerusalem and Jericho, and the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. Two churches were built on the site during the Byzantine period in the area around the tomb of Lazarus. Archaeological excavations revealed the remains of these churches. The first church was built during the fourth century AD, the second church dates back to the fifth century AD. The main features of these churches are their colorful mosaic floors.
On the old road between Jericho and Jerusalem there is a spring called 'Ain al-Haud'. It is believed that Jesus drank water from it. During the Umayyad period, the Caliph 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan built a Khan or caravanserai and named it “Khan al-Haud" to serve pilgrims coming to Jerusalem.
During the Crusader period (1099-1187), the second Byzantine church was renovated and named after Mary and Martha or Simon the Leper. A large monastery with an olive press and a tower were built next to it. A fourth church was built in the fourteenth century AD, but only a few remains from it still existing.
The town of Al-'Eizariya was mentioned by a traveler called “Yaqut al- Hamawi) in the 13th century. In 1384AD (during the Mamluk period), a small mosque known as the al- Uzair Mosque was built on the site. And later the Ottomans expanded the mosque in the sixteenth century. The Ottoman tax records provide important information on the social and commercial life in the town of Bethany during that period.
The Franciscan Church was built in 1954 under the supervision of the famous Italian architect Barluzzi. Barluzzi’s concept was to preserve the features of the old churches. The Roman Orthodox Church built a church near the tomb of Lazarus in 1965.
The core of the old town in Al-'Eizariya is one of the main tourist attractions of the town. It is a good example which represents the Palestinian village during the last century. It consists of stone houses, courtyards and alleys that connect to each other. Remains of a large square building are still visible in the town, known by locals as the tower “al-Qanatir”. It is about 15 meters long 4 meters wide. It was served as a shelter in times of war and emergency, also included a water tank.
In 1882, the Greek Orthodox built a church on the main road leading to Jericho over the ruins of an ancient church from the Byzantine period. The church commemorates the place and moments when Mary and Martha met Jesus Christ and told him about the death of Lazarus.