COMPLETION OF THE RESTORATION AND RENOVATION WORK AT THE BAKERY OF THE PATRIARCHATE

The place that is currently housing the oven and the utensils for preparing the Holy Bread ‘prosfora’ of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is one of the most ancient parts of the Church of Resurrection. This site has a triangular ground plan of approximately three hundred and fifty square metres (350 m2). It is adjacent to the Rotunda of the Church of Resurrection, and constitutes the ground floor of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. The initial construction of this church dates back to the period when Constantine the Great founded the luminous compound of the Church of Resurrection.

The work of restoration, preservation and renovation of the bakery at this important historical site of the Patriarchate commenced recently. This place was part of the second floor of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem during the 4^th century A.D. Due to these works an ancient passage was restored which connects the Patriarchate with the Rotunda of the Church of Resurrection. From this primary period of construction, a part of the Byzantine entrance to the east is preserved along with the staircase leading to the Rotunda, which leads to the area which the Copts presently occupy. Later construction phases, belonging to the 7^th, 12^th, 16^th, and 19^th centuries A.D., were identified at this location, with very ornate ceramics and funeral gifts dating from the 12^th to the 19^th century A.D. found during the excavation works.

The afore-mentioned restoration work and renovation of the bakery of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem began at the beginning of the year 2009 and were completed in May of the same year.  The final cost was 45.000 € (Euros).

Chief Secretary’s Office

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