Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulcher church to undergo multi-million dollar restoration

The three churches in charge of Jerusalem’s holiest Christian site say they have reached an agreement to begin a multi-million dollar renovation of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Leaders of the Greek Orthodox, Catholic, and Armenian churches issued a statement Monday announcing the project to restore the foundations and flooring of the church, where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, entombed and resurrected.

The head of the Christian Communities in charge of the Status Quo in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Francesco Patton (L) custos of Franciscan friars, Theophilos III (C) Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and Nourhan Manoughian (R) Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem shake hands after they signed an agreement to initiate a project for the restoration of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, in the Old City of Jerusalem, on May 27, 2019. (THOMAS COEX / AFP)

A Greek team headed the 2016 restoration project to preserve the aedicule, a large structure inside the church housing the tomb. The upcoming second rehabilitation project will involve two Italian institutions.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is shared by multiple Christian sects under a status quo management agreement. Even perceived alterations to the status quo have resulted in arguments or violence.