THE HOLY SEPULCHRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 2 December 1925, Page 9

THE HOLY SEPULCHRE.

SAFETY OF SACRED TOMB NEED TO REPAIR BUILDING Christians in ail parts of the world will hear with interest, says the “News of the World,” that anxiety is felt by British officials in Jerusalem concerning the stability of the tomb of Our Lord, which stands within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. When the Turks ruled in Palestine the historic Christian denominations were accorded special privileges at the Holy places, with the result that control is vested in the local authorities of the various Churches. ■ It is stated that this circumstance makes it difficult for the examination of tho sacred tomb and for the carrying out of repairs. Tombs cut in the solid rock were eonuno'ii on tho hillsides of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. In ome of these, the property of Joseph of Annathoat, the body of Our Lord was laid. In loss than two generations from the Crucifixion, Christians fled from the city which was presently to bo devasted by siege at the hands of the Romans.

During the persecutions of the Christians at the hands of the Roman, emperors, who were then masters of the known world, there was no opportunity for organised public activity on the party of Christians; and nothing could bo done by them to impress on the records of time their reverence for the Holy places. To be known as a follower of the Cross, as readers of Wiseman’s exquisite “Fabiola” wiil remember, wasl to be in danger of death. Progress in those days of tempest was by the path of blood. Then suddenly something happened which transformed the civilised, world. The Roman Emperor Constantine became a Christian, and the Cross which was hitherto despised, which could only be received in catacombs or in the secrecy of home life, became the symbol of Imperial honour. By Constantine’s orders search was made for the sacred tomb. This was in A.D. 325, and beyond all doubt with the help of tradition, if such had been preserved—is that to which to-day pilgrims resort from all quarters of the world. At Easter the unending stream of worshippers reaches its flood tide, and innumerable crosses and other offerings are placed upon the canopy above the tomb, the marble slabs ,of which are now stated to be bulging ominously. The British officials, who are anxious to effect repairs, must, however, arrange matters first with the governing ecclesiastics. These represent tlic Abvssinlan, Armenian, Coptic, Greek and Latin rites. Thus far, such represenations as have been made have not been very successful. Tn the delicate .situation in whcili the British authorities, find themselves in Jerusalem, patience is necessary to avoid introducing new causes of distrust- and Rusnicion. No doubt the tact of the officials, hacked by proper assurances, will secure t-ho unanimity required. Last Easter, the British authorities were so afraid of the possibility of some disaster in the crowded church that they placed a force cf police, around the tomb to keep the crowd back. Curiously enough, the entrance to the Church or the Holy Sepulchre is controlled by a Mohammedan, the descendant of a family to whom the task was entrusted centuries ago at the time of. the Mohammedan conquest of Palestine.