"There is no other emperor, other king, other god beside Jesus Christ...I believe only in him, I adore only him and am always ready to die a thousand times for his love" - (Genesius, Martyr)

The Restored dome of the Anastasis

On 2nd January 1997 the Church of the Holy Sepulchre "breathed" life again. The rays of sunlight came down again to illuminate the area where the tomb of the Lord stood. It was 10.00 am when the drapes that covered the newly restored dome where drawn to the awe of the faithful and personalities that took part in the simple but very significant ceremony. This is the latest achievement in the "recovery" of the monument on this Holy Shrine for Christendom. The signs of hope foreseen way back in the sixties are bearing fruit. All visitors to the Holy Sepulchre in recent years have never been able to see this dome as it was completely obscured by a scaffolding awaiting the agreement between the three major rites that officiate at the Holy Sepulchre. We surely express the wish of all Christians that this place, witness of such a "Loving Mystery", be truly not only well-kept but also raised in its dignity. It is true that even artistic expressions, coming as they are from the East and West, if planned well, can bring a harmonious atmosphere to an overburdened site.

Details of the restored dome

And from under the "Light" coming through the transparent lantern of the Dome we cannot but look with renewed hope at the shabiness of "The Tomb" girdled by metal beams to protect it and avoid its crumbling under the weight of time. A hope to see even "The Tomb" freed from the accumulation of time's burdens. May this not be only a dream but a vision of a future which the living generations can partake in its inherent beauty. With this inauguration of the decoration on the Dome a new "Light" enters at the site from where the "Light of the World" came forth on Resurrection Sunday.

Details of the restored dome

It was on 17 August 1994, that Fr. Giuseppe Nazzaro,ofm, Custos of the Holy Land, Diodoros I, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Apostolic Patriarch of Jerusalem, signed an historic agreeement in the Patriarchal Hall of the Greek Patriarchate to restore the dome. The final design consists of 12 streams of gold, representing the 12 Apostles. From each ray branch three streams of light, symbolizing the Trinity. Light from the dome's central skylight, as well as from concealed artificial sources enhances the mother-of-pearl background which brightens as it ascends and sparkles with stars. The background is a representation of the biblical description of the luminous cloud of the Divine Presence.

Details of the restored dome of the Holy Sepulchre

May the "Light of the Lord" shine throughout the World, as today a ray of light came in from the dome to lighten the dark corners around the site of the Resurrection! May this be another stepping stone in building the oecumenical dialogue that may at last remove all the supporting structures from this Holy Shrine.

Address of His Beatitude Diodoros I
Greek Orthodox Patriarch
AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY
FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE
DOME OF THE THE HOLY SEPULCHRE CHURCH

Your Beatitudes, Your Paternity, Your Excellencies, Your Eminences, Dear Mr. and Mrs. George Doty, Honored Guests.

"Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and to all

During these days, We are meditating on the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God and rejoicing in His acceptance of the Salvatory Work of Our humanity. We also, cease not to give gratitude to our Redeemer, Christ the Lord, Who through the Cross and the Tomb has descended into Hell and was risen from the dead in three days, thus resurrecting with Him, fallen man.

In deep gratefulness and humility for the many and various blessings that We daily enjoy from Him, We now surround His All-Holy and Life-Giving Tomb to publicly proclaim Our happiness and gladness for the Incarnate Word, Who out of His Love and Charity, has made Us worthy to experience extraordinary events in Our Church Service in this Holy Land. Among His gifts, is the accomplishment of the decoration of the Great Cupola of this Holy Sepulchre Church, which completes the restoration works in this part, started some decades ago.

Details of the restored dome of the Holy Sepulchre

The stage We have reached today is very significant for this Holy Place, and it is also a significant sign of progress of all the works that the Three Christian Religious Communities (i.e. the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land, and the Armenian Patriarchate), have undertaken in this universally accepted Christian Monument. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre keeps alive Its liturgical identity as a Place of Worship, while maintaining Its unique contribution to the world's cultural heritage.

Therefore, this moment, January 2, 1997, a historic point in the 'centuries long' existence of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in which are included the Sacred Places of Our Christian Faith and the visible signs of the Salvation Work for Humankind. Although this Church experienced various invasions, and destructions, It did not cease to keep open Her gates for all people: for those who believe in Jesus Christ and His Teaching, and for those who do not believe. To all, She demonstrates the Passion and the Crucifixion, the Burial and the Resurrection of Our Christ, the Redeemer.

The renovated dome

Today's Ceremony, unique in its kind, is the splendid fruit of required cooperation among Our already mentioned Three Religious Communities for the restoration and decoration of The Great Dome. Beyond this, it is an expression of Our brotherly coexistence in this Place, which teaches forgiveness, reconciliation, love, and unity, since He in Whom We believe, and Whom We proclaim, Lord, here "extended His arms and united what before was divided", calling all of us "to be one ." (John 17,21). It is a proclamation of the presence of long centuries of Christianity in this Holy Land, which in three years time, will celebrate the Holy Jubilee of the Birth in Flesh of Christ, Our Lord..

The new Skylight of the renovated dome

Therefore, We pray that this event may become the spark of Our spiritual approach. That in deep consciousness of Our responsible mission, We may enter to the Third Millennium, led by the Truth, which is Christ. And having in common the Faith of the Gospel and the Rule of exemplary Diakonia of Love toward all people.

A detail

Sharing these thoughts on this memorable occasion, We cordially thank all of You present, rejoicing with Us. We express heartfelt sentiments of Our Beloved Brothers, His Paternity, the Custos Giuseppe Nazzaro, and His Beatitude, Armenian Patriarch Torkom Manoogian, and in thanking Our consultants and all those who contributed to the realization of this project. Especially, We congratulate Mr. and Mrs. George Doty for their magnificent, generous contribution and pious participation in this project in which the decoration of the Dome was fulfilled. No doubt, history will preserve their names among the great benefactors of this Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

May We pray to the Lord that We may again gather to celebrate Blessed Events of this kind.