Since 1980, the tomb of Jesus has been shrouded in darkness, as the restoration and decoration of the rotunda dome have been left unfinished.
On 17 August 1994, the three custodians of the Sepulchre signed an agreement to have the dome completed. Work began immediately.
High above the Sepulchre, on a specially constructed platform, the first scaffolding was laid out. Testing of the existing plaster applied in 1980 showed that a final plaster finish could be safely applied.
Caught in the morning light, the scaffold rises to the domed skylight section, also requiring restoration. Meanwhile, in California, designer Ara Normart was overseeing the the casting of the decorative elements.
