A Greek Orthodox monk pours oil into the lamps in front of the edicule of the Holy Sepulcher, which contains the venerated tomb. The three communities responsible for the Holy Sepulcher are the Greek Orthodox, the Latin Catholic, and the Armenian. Every movement and schedule inside the basilica is governed by the Status Quo. / Credit: Marinella Bandini
Jerusalem, Apr 18, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
AstonequarryoutsidethewallsofJerusalem,laterabandonedandconvertedintoacemeterywithrock-cuttombsandcultivatedareas—that’swhattheBasilicaoftheHolySepulcherlookedlikeatthetimeofJesus.
Ongoingarchaeologicalexcavationsinsidethebasilica,however,launchedin2022aspartofamajorrestorationprojectofthefloorandunderlyinginfrastructure,haveyieldedsignificantdataonthesite’soriginaluseandappearance.
AworkeratthethresholdoftheBasilicaoftheHolySepulcherinJerusaleminearlyApril2025.AheadoftheEastercelebrations,theconstructionsitewasclosedandatemporarypavementwaslaidtoallowtheliturgiestotakeplace.Credit:MarinellaBandiniProfessorFrancescaRomanaStasollaofSapienzaUniversityofRome
