The Stone of Anointing, also called the Stone of Unction, is a revered shrine inside Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It commemorates the preparation of Jesus’ body for burial. The present shrine and its marble surface should be distinguished from the first-century event remembered there.
For a visitor, understanding that distinction adds depth to the experience. You are encountering a place of Christian memory and prayer, with a history of its own, within the church that commemorates Jesus’ death, burial, and Resurrection.
Where is the Stone of Anointing?
The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land places the stone directly ahead of the main entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City. Lamps and candlesticks mark the shrine. A mosaic behind it depicts Jesus being taken down from the cross, prepared for burial, and laid in the tomb.
The stone is distinct from the tomb within the Edicule and from the place commemorating Calvary. Remembering those different locations helps you understand what each part of the church invites Christians to recall, rather than treating every shrine as the same point in the Gospel story.
What event does it commemorate?
John 19:38–42 describes Joseph of Arimathea receiving permission to take Jesus’ body. Nicodemus brings myrrh and aloes, and the body is wrapped in linen with spices before being placed in a nearby tomb. The Stone of Anointing commemorates that care for Jesus’ body after the Crucifixion.
The Gospel passage does not identify today’s visible marble surface as the slab used in the first century. It supplies the biblical account to which the shrine points. The physical monument, the tradition attached to the location, and the scriptural narrative are connected, but they are different kinds of evidence.
For Christian reflection, the scene draws attention to a quiet act of devotion. Joseph and Nicodemus care for Jesus’ body at a moment of sorrow. Their actions offer a subject for prayer about courage, dignity, and remaining present when there is little left to say.
Is the present stone the original stone?
The Custody’s account records a mention of the Stone of Anointing by the pilgrim Riccoldo da Monte Croce in 1288. That is evidence for the recorded history of the devotion; it is not a demonstration that the current exposed surface dates to Jesus’ lifetime.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem describes the shrine’s present form in connection with restoration in 1810 and explains that reddish marble covers and protects the venerated rock. The careful description is therefore a historic commemorative shrine with a later covering, rather than an authenticated exposed slab from the burial of Jesus.
Faith and historical care do not require us to erase that distinction. A place can hold deep significance because of what it commemorates and how people pray there, while questions about particular materials and dates are described accurately.
What the Stone of Anointing means for prayer
Christians approach the shrine as part of remembering the Passion and burial of Jesus. The word “unction” refers to anointing, which explains the alternative name. The setting can invite a pause with the human realities of grief, loving service, and care for the body.
You might reflect on someone who has cared for you during a difficult season. Or you might remember a person whose suffering has left you unsure how to help. The Gospel scene offers a concrete question: what form could faithful care take when I cannot solve everything?
Our reflection on devoting yourself to Jesus explores how remembrance can continue in daily choices. Learning about the miracles of Jesus can also place this moment of sorrow within the wider Gospel story, without treating the shrine itself as a guarantee of healing or a particular answer to prayer.
How to approach the shrine respectfully
Prepare for a place of worship rather than only a sightseeing stop. Before a visit, consult the official Custody information and current local guidance for access arrangements. A standing description of a holy site cannot guarantee that it will be accessible on a particular day.
- Follow the guidance on site. Let attendants and worshippers guide the appropriate pace and conduct around the shrine.
- Make room for other people. Keep passages clear and avoid interrupting someone’s prayer for a photograph.
- Ask before placing anything on the surface. Do not assume permission to leave objects, apply substances, or remove material.
- Allow a quiet moment. Read the Gospel passage beforehand so your attention can rest on the event being commemorated.
You do not need to imitate every devotional gesture you see. If you are unfamiliar with a practice, respectful observation is enough. If standing, kneeling, or approaching closely is difficult, adapt your participation to your circumstances.
A PRAYER FOR REFLECTION
Lord Jesus, as I remember the care shown to You after the cross, teach me to care for others with tenderness and courage. Be near those who grieve, those who are waiting, and those who feel alone. Help me offer the kindness that is within my reach, and place the needs I cannot resolve in Your hands. Amen.
Questions about the Stone of Anointing
Is this where Mary Magdalene saw the risen Jesus?
The Stone of Anointing commemorates preparation for burial. John 20:11–18 describes Mary Magdalene encountering the risen Jesus outside the tomb. Those are separate moments in the Gospel narrative and should not be merged into one event at the stone.
Can I pray without traveling to Jerusalem?
Yes. You can read the burial account, remember someone in need, and pray wherever you are. A pilgrimage may be meaningful, but distance does not prevent personal prayer. If you want to put a concern into words, our guide to writing a prayer request offers a simple structure and examples.
