Church of the Nativity
About Church of the Nativity
The Church of the Nativity (the Basilica of the Nativity) in Bethlehem is said to be constructed on the spot recognised by Christian tradition as the birthplace of Jesus. It is one of the world’s oldest working churches.
Building History
The original church was first built here in 339 A.D. by the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine and was mostly destroyed, possibly during a Samaritan rebellion in the 6th century, though parts of the original mosaic floor remain. The Byzantine Emperor Justinian rebuilt the church in a grander fashion, largely the structure that remains today.
“Door of Humility”
The church’s famous entrance, the four-foot-high “Door of Humility”, was made low in the 1500s not to make pilgrims bow but rather to keep looters from driving their carts in and attackers from riding in on horseback.
“Star of Bethlehem”
In the Grotto of the Nativity lies the “Star of Bethlehem”, a 14-pointed silver star that marks the place where it is believed that Jesus was born. The star was stolen in 1847 and a copy was subsequently made to replace it.
St Catherine’s Church
The 19th century St Catherine’s Church was erected by the Franciscans over an earlier Crusader era church and monastery. It is most famous for its annual celebration of Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve which is televised to millions of viewers worldwide.
Interesting Facts
- The church has three convents that form part of the structure. The church is controlled by three Christian denominations and they are the Greek Orthodox Church, the Armenian Church and the Roman Catholic.
- The management system of the church, the “Status Quo”, is an understanding among religious communities with respect to the nine shared religious sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
- Inside the church, the wall mosaic from the 12th century forms part of the decoration. Floor mosaics showing birds, flowers and geometric pattens make an attractive carpet.
