The atmosphere is like many of the holy places in Old Jerusalem, eerie, and other-worldly like. The chapel itself, is strangely not out of place with its onion domes on the place where the Russian Orthodox say the Garden of Gethsemene is.... It marches well with the mosques, the old churches, etc. The inside of the chapel is not large with nowhere to sit. When I was there they were repairing and doing over the roof and the inside walls, however that was 7 years ago. It has a velvet rope where one of the nuns stands watch. They are not interested in gawkers or souvenir hunters. They only want people who are really interested in Ella or the religion to see the iconostasis. Should you be allowed in, you walk forward to the altar and on either side are coffins. On your right, facing the iconostasis is Ella's white marble coffin with a clear glass top so that you may see inside. She lies there covered, of course, in a dress and gloves and booties. Her face is covered by a matte lace hankerchief. I was not prepared for the fact that I actually saw her body so it did creep me out! On the other side is Sister Barbara, her coffin does not have a clear glass top.
That is all I can think of at the moment (jet lag!). Ask questions if you like!
