Church of Our Lady of Sorrows

At the top of the panoramic hill in Jeruzalem stands the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, named after a painting brought here by crusaders and pilgrims from Jerusalem. The image of Our Lady of Sorrows, placed on the church’s main altar, is a copy of the original, which was stolen during the construction of the church. The painter of the copy is unknown, though it is believed to have been made by a local Prlek artist. The original image is said to have been brought from the Holy Land by crusaders and pilgrims at the beginning of the 13th century. The present church was built in 1652 as the fulfillment of a vow made by the lords of Gornja Radgona Castle, Mr. Drumpič and his wife Salome. They promised Our Lady of Sorrows in Jeruzalem that, if the plague ceased and they survived, they would build a church in her honor. They kept their promise, and a single-nave church was erected, featuring four altars (the main and three side altars). The Chapel of St. Anne and the organ date to the 18th century. On the site of today’s main altar once stood a prayer tower, where crusaders and pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land, to Palestine—whether to liberate it or to visit Christ’s tomb—would stop to make intercessions and vows. In the 13th century, crusaders of the Teutonic Order built a small chapel here, about the size of today’s baptistery, because the tower had become too small to accommodate all the devotions and vows.

In the Middle Ages, the territory of present-day Jeruzalem came into the possession of the Teutonic Knights, granted to them as a fief by Friderik of Ptuj. Their mark remains visible in the church: above the main altar on the ceiling is their cross, and to this day the church belongs to their order – the Teutonic Priestly Order. Let us return to the painting of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Pietà. This late Baroque altarpiece is full of mystery. The painting contains three faces: Mary’s and Christ’s are immediately visible, while a third is hidden in Mary’s veil on her right shoulder. These three symbolize: the hidden face in the veil – our death; Mary’s face – our birth; and Christ’s face – our life. If viewed quickly, the painting even gives the impression that Mary has three hands: two holding Christ around his neck, and one resting on his right leg, with the lighter wrist clearly visible. Following this motif of the Trinity, another repetition can be found: in Christ’s lower limbs. From the knees to the feet, one leg is straight and the other bent, and the shadow creates the illusion of a third leg.

To the left of the painting is John the Baptist, and to the right Francis of Assisi. On the left altar portal is Peter, and on the right Paul. On the upper part of the right side altar is a painting of Pope Urban, the patron saint of vineyards. On the left altar are Mary and Joseph with the Child. The pulpit depicts the four canonical Evangelists recognized by the Church.

We must not forget the “Wishing Bell” at Our Lady of Sorrows in Jeruzalem. It is said to grant wishes—especially those connected with wine, which are fulfilled immediately. All other wishes are granted once you return home. The Chapel of St. Anne serves as an annex and at the same time as the entrance to the church.

Jeruzalem, with its sacred name, still today attracts pilgrims from all over the world who come here in search of their own place of peace.