Take a once-in-a-lifetime look inside the tomb where Jesus was buried
Jesus, in the Christian tradition, does not have a burial place because he rose up to Heaven, but for three days he lay in a tomb outside Jerusalem. Recently, some 50 scientists, workers, priests, monks, and a camera crew from National Geographic became the first people in centuries to look inside what's believed to be that tomb, during restoration of the marble shrine around it — the Aedicule — in the middle of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of Christianity's holiest sites. By the time Peter Baker of The New York Times arrived, the tomb had been resealed, he wrote in Thursday's Times, and nobody else is expected to peer inside in any of our lifetimes.
Three denominations sometimes uneasily share control of the church: Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Orthodox. The restoration team had no plans to open the tomb originally, but decided they had to — very gently, for the first time since the 1500s — to make sure it remained dry and sealed. "We saw where Jesus Christ was laid down," Fr. Isidoros Fakitsas, the superior of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, told Baker. "Before, nobody has.... Now we saw with our own eyes the actual burial place of Jesus Christ."
The tomb has a long history, Baker explains:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The researchers collected samples they hope will teach them more about Christianity and its origins. And although you will never be able to see inside the tomb in person, National Geographic has released a longer teaser of the special they will air later in November. You can get a taste below. Peter Weber
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
By The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published