Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – The restoration work, which started a few weeks ago, have completely surrounded the Holy Sepulchre Aedicule with scaffolding and tarpaulins, but the place where, according to tradition, the body of Christ was laid after crucifixion, however, will remain accessible to pilgrims during the work of restoration and consolidation of the structure. This is what official sources of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem refer in a note with regards to the update of the works signed by Thomas Charrèreie.
An iron harness allows safe access to the tomb, while the restoration work all around the structure are carried out day and night.
The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, through its official channels, provides regular updates on the progress. “The most important work”, reads the terrasanta.net website “at the moment is focused on the north facade. The Baroque-Ottoman architecture had drawn here the outlines of three blind windows. By analyzing the photos immediately taken there is a feeling that the now bare wall was constructed in at least two different times, judging by the difference between the stones used”.
Most of the noisiest work takes place at night, with the use of drills and hammers. All fragments of marble coverings removed are transferred to the Franciscan gallery, under the dome, thanks to a freight elevator installed not far from the Virgin arches. The draft requalification, with a cost of $ 3.3 million, is supported by the Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church. In April, the King of Jordan Abdullah II sent in the form of “real charity” (Makruma) a substantial personal donation to the project (see Fides, 07/06/2016).
Source: Agenzia Fides
