Restoration of the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre completed

On 22 March 2017, an official ceremony marking the completion of restoration works within the Edicule took place at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Attending the ceremony were representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches, religious leaders of different confessions, the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Alexis Tsipras, and other statesmen and public figures. Among those present was a delegation led by His Beatitude Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine.

At the invitation of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, a delegation of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission led by its head Archimandrite Alexander (Elisov) also attended the ceremony.

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The decision to begin the restoration of the Edicule was taken at the results of the technical survey carried out by specialists of the National Technical University of Athens at the instructions of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The current structure above the Holy Sepulchre was built in 1810 by the Greek architect Nikolaos Komnenos after a devastating fire that broke out in the church in 1808.

The Edicule has not been restored since 1810. It suffered from adverse weather conditions, for until 1868 its rotunda had an open oculus. The earthquakes of 1927 and 1934 caused serious damage to the construction, and in 1947 a heavy steel shoring structure was installed as a temporary measure. Among other negative factors were high humidity and burning candles.

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Restoration of the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre completed

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons