orthodox or eastern christians, like many other christians, regard the sepulchre in jerusalem to be the holiest of places. they place emphasis on nazareth, bethlehem, capernaum and other parts of the holy land as sacred since apostolic times, and note as places of special sanctity the sanctuaries built on the tombs of the apostles and other saints. there are many shrines with the relics of christian saints and martyrs which are sacred pilgrimage sites for orthodox christians as well.