Armenian Church Helps Restore Jesus’ Tomb in Jerusalem

June 7, 2016
Clerics from the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian churches have recognized the need to repair Jesus' tomb in Jerusalem. (Photo: AP)

Clerics from the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian churches have recognized the need to repair Jesus’ tomb in Jerusalem. (Photo: AP)

JERUSALEM (BBC) ””A team of experts has begun restoring the ancient tomb in Jerusalem where Christians believe Jesus was buried, in the first such works for 200 years.

The renovation in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre aims to reinforce and conserve the structure.

Rivalry between the three denominations that run the church has delayed work.

But clerics from the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian churches have put aside their differences, recognizing the need to begin repairs.

The work will focus on the Edicule, the ancient chamber housing Jesus’s tomb which Christians say stands above the spot where Jesus’s body was anointed, wrapped in cloth and buried.

The last restoration work to take place there was in 1810 after a fire.

The Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian authorities are responsible for running different parts of the church but share responsibility for the shrine.

Relations between them can be tense ”“ in 2008, an argument between Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks escalated into a brawl ”“ but they have decided to act jointly after Israel’s antiquities authority last year said the church was unsafe and Israeli police briefly closed it.

“We equally decided the required renovation was necessary to be done, so we agreed upon it,”

Your generosity empowers our advocacy, inspires our work, and sustains our momentum.
DONATE NOW!
close-image