Hidden in the narrow streets of the Armenian Quarter, St. Mark’s Church is the cathedral of the Syrian Orthodox community in Jerusalem. The Syriacs, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, believe that this modest building stands on the site of the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, where the Last Supper took place and where Peter came after his miraculous release from prison: “He went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying” (Acts 12:12).
Competing Claim
The mainstream Christian tradition places the Last Supper at the Cenacle on Mount Zion. The Syrian Orthodox tradition insists that St. Mark’s is the authentic location, and they point to an ancient painting of the Virgin Mary on the church wall that they attribute to St. Luke himself. The painting, darkened by centuries of candle smoke and veneration, is set in a frame of silver and precious stones.
The Church
The current building dates to the 6th century (Byzantine period), with significant Crusader-era modifications in the 12th century. The interior is intimate and atmospheric, with stone walls, hanging oil lamps, and ancient inscriptions in Syriac (a dialect of Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke). The liturgy of the Syrian Orthodox Church is conducted in Syriac, and hearing prayers in a language so close to Jesus’ own tongue, in a place that claims to be the house where the Last Supper was held, is a profound experience regardless of which tradition you follow.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
St. Mark’s is one of Jerusalem’s hidden treasures. Hoshen Tours includes it for visitors interested in the diversity of Christianity in the Holy Land and the alternative traditions that challenge the established narrative.