Centuries-Old Secret Revealed: Location of Christ's Burial Unearthed
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem has been the centre of global attention recently, as the tomb of Jesus Christ has been exposed for the first time in centuries. This historic event is the result of a meticulous restoration project, supervised by Professor Antonia Moropoulou, a renowned Greek architect and conservator specializing in monument restoration.
The Edicule, a structure enclosing the burial shelf where, according to tradition, the body of Jesus Christ was laid, is currently undergoing restoration by a team of scientists from the National Technical University of Athens. The restoration project, a joint effort by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Armenian Orthodox Church, along with the Coptic, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Syriac communities, was agreed upon in March 2016 and was expected to be completed by the spring of 2017.
The Edicule, last reconstructed in 1808-1810, has been a concern due to damage from a 1927 earthquake and unsightly exterior girders added in 1947. The structural integrity of the Edicule has been a significant focus of the restoration efforts.
Major donors to the restoration project include a royal benefaction from Jordan's King Abdullah II and a $1.3-million gift from Mica Ertegun to the World Monuments Fund. The exposure of the burial bed gives researchers an unprecedented opportunity to study the original surface of what is considered the most sacred site in Christianity.
The marble covering that has been on the tomb since at least 1555 A.D., and possibly centuries earlier, has been pulled back, revealing a large amount of fill material beneath it. The techniques used in the restoration will enable the world to study the findings as if they were in the tomb of Christ.
The analysis of the original rock may provide valuable insights into the original form of the tomb chamber and its evolution as a venerated site. The Society has formed a strategic alliance with the National Technical University of Athens for cultural heritage preservation, ensuring that the restoration adheres to the highest standards of archaeological and architectural expertise.
For those interested in following the progress of the restoration project, an exclusive look can be found on the Society's website channel on April 10. The doors to the church were shut early-hours before normal closing time, leaving a crowd of pilgrims and tourists outside, eagerly awaiting the unveiling of this historic event.
