Jesus Christ’s Tomb Under Renovation

The Holy Sepulcher Church and other Dominical Sites of Christendom, from the genesis of Christianity, have been under the joint ownership of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Greek Orthodox, and Franciscan Friars.

From the early centuries of Christianity, Jesus Christ’s Tomb has been within the confines of the Old City of Jerusalem, where Constantine, the Roman Emperor, built a grand Basilica in 326 A.D. over the site of Jesus’ tomb and the Calvary where He was crucified. The basilica was named Holy Sepulcher in veneration of Jesus’ tomb.

In 1808, fire caused tremendous damage to the tomb. Christ’s tomb was renovated two years later. More than two centuries after the horrific fire, the tomb of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is in dire need of restoration as it is facing the danger of collapse.

The three Churches sharing ownership invited experts from the Department of Archeology from the University of Athens in efforts to examine the structural condition of the edifice.

Earlier this year, an agreement was signed between the Churches and the University of Athens to commence restoration works whose expenses will be covered equally by the three respective Churches. The restoration works were estimated in the sum of three (3) million Euros, with each Church assuming responsibility for its fair share.

With this letter, we call upon each faithful to contribute to a God-pleasing cause, namely the preservation of one of the holiest sites in Christendom. Your generosity will allow for the continuation of the sacred liturgical rite performed daily by the members of the Brotherhood of St. James for the for the prosperity of the Armenian Nation and the welfare of humanity in general. It is near the tomb of Christ where the angel greeted the myrrh-bearing women with the phrase “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5). The empty tomb signifies the Resurrection of Christ as the Son of God which is proclaimed daily in the chants during the solemn celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Christ’s empty tomb is a symbol of victory over death, the essence of the Christian Faith. It is with this in mind that we exhort you to participate in restoration efforts.

Checks can be made payable to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church – in memo: Holy Sepulcher Fund. All donations are tax deductible and no donation is too small.

May the Almighty God shower you with heavenly blessings and may the proclamation of the angel lie in our hearts forever.