The restored tomb in which Jesus’ body had been interred after his crucifixion was unveiled in an official ceremony on March 22 at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City.

A team of Greek scientists and restorers completed the nine-month renovation project, which focused on a small structure above the burial chamber, known as the Edicule. It is the most sacred monument in Christianity.

The delicate restoration was carried out by a team of about 50 experts from the National Technical University of Athens, which had previously worked on the Acropolis in the Greek capital and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The conservators worked mainly at night in order to allow pilgrims continued access to the shrine.

In October, a marble slab covering the rock–carved tomb was lifted for the first time in more than two centuries, allowing restoration workers to examine the original rock shelf or “burial bed” on which Jesus’ body is thought to have rested. A small window has been cut into marble slabs to allow pilgrims a glimpse of the rock.

The ceremony was attended by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and a representative of Pope Francis.

Six Christian groups–Latin (Roman Catholic), Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Syrian Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox – share custodianship of the cavernous church. The $4 million cost of the restoration came from contributions from the six denominations, King Abdullah of Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Mica Ertegun, the widow of Atlantic Records co-founder, who gave $1.3 million. His Beatitude honored Mrs. Ertugun and Ivan Savvidis with the supreme distinction of the Great Cross bearer of the Holy Sepulchre, and others who played significant roles in the restoration project.