Christ's tomb to get a makeover in $3.4 million project

$3.4 million project brings with it a sense of unity.

A crumbling tomb within the rotunda of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, believed to be the Tomb of Jesus, will finally undergo a much-needed restoration.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to the Christian Post, the year-long project will cost $3.4 million.

In an example of what Christ preached, a diverse community has joined together to provide the funds - the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Orthodox churches.

An AFP report explained the restoration will include a careful cleaning and peeling of the tomb's outer layers to be repaired one at a time.

"Broken or fragile parts will be replaced while marble slabs that can be preserved will be cleaned, and the structure supporting them will be reinforced."

The time-consuming restoration project is expected to conclude in early 2017. Prior to the project's initiation on Sunday, the shrine erected outside the tomb was weakly held together with help from a metal frame, which has only weakened over time.

The site was described to have weakened marble slabs and that it was "on the verge of collapse."

The weakened state of the shrine should come as no surprise as pilgrims have swarmed the site daily, only adding to its wear and tear.

Though several churches have joined forces to fund the multi-million-dollar project, King Abdullah of Jordan has also decided to donate an undisclosed amount toward the restoration.

"We are reaping the fruits of these efforts in this age when sectarian wars are burning entire countries as can plainly be seen," Theopolis III explained Sunday. "His majesty constantly reiterates that Jerusalem's Muslim and Christian holy sites are a red line, which Jordan will not permit to be crossed. Also, that Jordan continues to uphold its religious and historic responsibilities toward the entirety of Al Haram Al Sharif with the utmost commitment and seriousness."

Franciscan friar Rev. Athanasius Macora delivered a similar statement when he told The New York Times: "One of the serious issues in the church is that the status quo takes place over every other consideration, and it's not a good thing. Unity is more important than a turf war."

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online