Historic restoration of Jesus' burial shrine

Just in time for Easter, a Greek restoration team has completed a historic renovation of the Edicule, the shrine that tradition says houses the cave where Jesus was entombed and resurrected.

In this photo taken on March 23, 2016, Christian worshippers line up outside the Edicule, which is inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City. This photo was taken before the restoration started.

"A complete transformation"

Until the recent restoration, the shrine hadn’t been restored in more than 200 years. 

“If this intervention hadn’t happened now, there is a very great risk that there could have been a collapse,” Bonnie Burnham of the World Monuments Fund said Monday. “This is a complete transformation of the monument.” 

In this October 28, 2016 photo, Greek preservation experts worked to strengthen the Edicule surrounding the Tomb of Jesus, as part of the conservation work.

Removing the marble layer

This Wednesday Oct. 26, 2016 shows the moment workers removed the top marble layer of the tomb. A restoration team peeled away a marble layer for the first time in centuries in an effort to reach what it believes is the original rock surface where Jesus’ body was laid. 

Marble slab

Greek preservation experts place back the marble slab stone that covered the Tomb of Jesus, where his body is believed to have been laid, after it was removed for three days to allow the team to do restoration works and study as part of conservation work, on late on October 28, 2016. 

Inside the Edicule

Inside the Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s old city in Jerusalem, Israel, Monday, Sept. 19, 2016.

Renovated

The renovated Edicule is seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem’s old city Monday, Mar. 20, 2017.

Visitors

A visitor photographs the newly restored Edicule at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City March 20, 2017. 

Greek Orthodox priest

A Greek Orthodox priest stands inside the newly restored Edicule, the ancient structure housing the tomb (seen in front of him), at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City March 20, 2017. 

Worshippers light candles

Worshippers light candles as the newly restored Edicule is seen in the background at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City March 20, 2017. 

The faithful

Faithful visit the renovated Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem’s old city Monday, Mar. 20, 2017.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.