The Greek Orthodox Church announced the beginning of the restoration work at the Holy Sepulcher after Easter in the Julian calendar, and it has delivered. On May 8, on the octave of the Orthodox Easter, work on Jesus’ tomb began quietly. Two technicians, isolated behind a security fence, performedsome laser readings. Sitting behind a table, they all made reports methodically on a computer. Signs of their work are still visible on the south façade of the kiosk. One can see strips of tapeon the wall with annotations that clearly mean something to the technicians.
For the last ten days, the square in front of the Holy Sepulcher, in addition to certain aisles of the basilica showed new signs of activity. A great deal of equipment was stored here and there.
Last Sunday, the shrine underwentits first visible mutation. At the entrance of the tomb, a sort of safety lock was installed under which pilgrims now pass through.
In an interview with Carlo Giorgi for Terrasanta.net (the site of the Custody’s bimonthly magazine), Prof. Maropouloexplained the reasoning behind the intervention. She also explained how the work would require work during the day but also at night. So, it is a 24-hour-a-day job. During the day, work will be completed that does not prevent devotions from continuing, and at night, heavier operations will be carried out that require closing off access to the burial chamber.
The Franciscan gallery itself will host a workshop that will allow part of the teams to work during the day (read the full interview here).
The work being projected to last eight months, Prof. Maropoulo now prefers to play it safe and not move upthe completion date. The Custody’s communications will keep you regularly informed about the progress of this restoration work.
Also read : Christ's tomb to be restored soon
Watch the CMC video by clicking here : A few centuries later, the Holy Sepulcher will be restored
For the last ten days, the square in front of the Holy Sepulcher, in addition to certain aisles of the basilica showed new signs of activity. A great deal of equipment was stored here and there.
Last Sunday, the shrine underwentits first visible mutation. At the entrance of the tomb, a sort of safety lock was installed under which pilgrims now pass through.
In an interview with Carlo Giorgi for Terrasanta.net (the site of the Custody’s bimonthly magazine), Prof. Maropouloexplained the reasoning behind the intervention. She also explained how the work would require work during the day but also at night. So, it is a 24-hour-a-day job. During the day, work will be completed that does not prevent devotions from continuing, and at night, heavier operations will be carried out that require closing off access to the burial chamber.
The Franciscan gallery itself will host a workshop that will allow part of the teams to work during the day (read the full interview here).
The work being projected to last eight months, Prof. Maropoulo now prefers to play it safe and not move upthe completion date. The Custody’s communications will keep you regularly informed about the progress of this restoration work.
Also read : Christ's tomb to be restored soon
Watch the CMC video by clicking here : A few centuries later, the Holy Sepulcher will be restored