“When we opened the tomb, we experienced a miracle. This tomb is alive! It sends the message of resurrection and hope,” said Tonia Moropoulou, director of the Holy Sepulchre restoration project.
Restoration works in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where the tomb of Jesus Christ is located, continue by a group of Greek scientists from the National Technical University of Athens.
“We felt awe opening the Holy Sepulchre after so many centuries. The funerary bed has grooves for the body fluids of Jesus and a place to rest the head facing west,” Moropoulou said.
“The bed rock is infused with aromatic oils, something that was proved scientifically, after the chemical study we did was completed,” she added.
Scientists say that humidity is the biggest problem the Tomb and the Church overall are facing.
“We are in the last phase of work, namely we strengthen the foundations with titanium, compatible with the mortars inside and then we will close the panels. At the same time we clean the monument and highlight the precious findings. We have opened a window into the burial chamber to show the sacred rock and simultaneously restore the sanctuary. Now the Greek inscriptions show on the fresco and the reliefs,” Moropoulou said.
The project will be completed in March 2017, so that the Church is ready for Easter celebrations.
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