Tomb of Christ set for restoration

Tomb of Christ, where according to Christian belief the body of Jesus was laid to rest, inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Jerusalem’s Old City. (Photo: AFP)

The tomb where Jesus is said to have been buried, before his resurrection, in Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre is to undergo major restoration, church officials said Wednesday.

The work could begin soon after Orthodox Easter on May 1. Western Christians mark Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, this coming Sunday.

The restoration, entrusted to a Greek team, is expected to be completed in early 2017 and the site will remain open to visitors in the meantime.

The shrine, several metres tall and wide standing under the church’s dome, has for decades been held together by a metal frame.

Its marble slabs have been weakened over the years in part by daily visits by thousands of pilgrims and tourists.

It will be painstakingly dismantled and rebuilt during eight months of restoration work.

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