Renovations begin at Jesus' tomb for the first time in 200 years

In Jerusalem, experts have started restoring the ancient tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the spot where Christians believe Jesus was briefly buried.

The last time there was restoration work at the church was in 1810, after a fire broke out. Clerics from the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian churches run different areas of the church, but all are responsible for the shrine, and despite disagreements — in 2008, Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks got into an argument that turned into a brawl — they agreed to the restoration work after Israeli police briefly closed the building down last year, saying it was unsafe.

The restoration work is expected to take eight to 12 months, and it will focus on the Edicule, the area built above the area Christians believe Jesus' body was anointed, wrapped in cloth, and buried, BBC News reports. Experts say the tomb is stable, but after decades of exposure to humidity, water, and candle smoke, it is in need of repairs. Each denomination has given $3.3 million for the project, and King Abdullah of Jordan also made a personal donation. Visitors can still come to the church during the renovation process.

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