Until the martyrdom of Jesus, Judaism was the uncontested religion of Jerusalem. But what began as a Jewish sect quickly spiraled into a worldwide phenomenon, with repercussions that have resounded from thousands of years ago to this day. The rise of Christianity marks an event in history that would forever change the face of religion in the Holy City and the world.

Before there were ever Jews in Jerusalem, there was Judaism, now one of the oldest religions in existence. The cultural and spiritual impact of the Bible in the Western World is undisputed: it is a text that went on to provide inspiration for both Christianity and Islam. Even as Judaism meets with controversy in the present era, the Bible still stands as a timeless testimonial to the immutable power of faith.

Long regarded by the Byzantine empire as a Christian city, Jerusalem was conquered by a Muslim army in 638 A.D. Viewed as the third-holiest city to Islam, Jerusalem became the site of prominent Muslim sites such as the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa mosque on the Temple Mount. It was the start of a reign that would endure in the Holy City for centuries.