The Nativity Church

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the oldest churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the first basilica on this site was built by St. Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine I.  The construction was completed in 333. But unfortunately, that structure was burnt down in the Samaritan Revolt of 529.

In 565 the current basilica was reconstructed by the Emperor Justinian I. According to legends, when the Persians invaded the city in 614, they unexpectedly did not destroy the structure, their commander was impressed by the golden mosaic depiction of the Three Magi wearing Persian costumes, and commanded that the building be spared. The Crusaders made further repairs and additions to the building during the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem and over the years, the structure has been expanded and today it covers approximately 12,000 square meters.

The church is administered jointly by Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Apostolic authorities. All three traditions maintain monastic communities on the site. The actual compound is a combination of two churches erected over the Grotto where Baby Jesus was born.

The main Basilica of the Nativity is in custody of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. It is designed like a typical Roman basilica, with five aisles and an apse in the eastern end, where the sanctuary is. The church features golden mosaics covering the side walls and the floor. The basilica is entered through a very low door, called the "Door of Humility." Originally the door was much larger but in the 17^th century it was reduced to its actual size to prevent Turks from entering the church mounted on their horses. The basilica also features a large collection of silver and gilded ancient icons, and a complex array of silver and gilded olive oil lamps hanging dawn from the high wooden ceiling throughout the entire building. The wooden rafters of the ceiling were donated by King Edward IV of England together with the lead sheets to cover the roof; however, this lead was later confiscated by the Turks who melted it down for ammunition. Two flights of winding stairs on either sides of the Sanctuary lead down to the Grotto.

The adjoining Church of St. Catherine, the Roman Catholic Church, was built in a more modern style, and has since been further modernized according to the liturgical trends which followed Vatican II. This is the church where the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem celebrates Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Certain customs still observed in this Midnight Mass predate Vatican II, but must be maintained because the "status quo" (the customs, rights and duties of the various church authorities that have custody of the Holy Places) was legally fixed by a “firman” in 1852, under the Ottoman Empire, that is still in force to this day.

The Grotto of the Nativity, an underground cave located beneath the basilica, enshrines the humble site where Baby Jesus was born. The exact spot is marked beneath an altar by a 14-pointed Silver Star set into the marble floor and surrounded by silver olive oil lamps. Another altar in the Grotto marks the site where Virgin Mary laid the newborn baby in the manger.

Numerous Chapels are found in the compound as well, including the Chapel of Saint Joseph, commemorating the angel's appearance to Joseph, commanding him to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13); the Chapel of the Innocents, commemorating the children killed by Herod (Matthew 2:16-18); and the Chapel of Saint Jerome, where he translated the Holy Bible into Latin.

Manger Square, a large recently renovated and decorated with olive trees square in front of the Church, is the site where large crowds from all continents will gather on Christmas Eve to sing Christmas carols and celebrate the rebirth of the love, peace and reconciliation message of heaven.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Armenian Apostolic Church follow the Julian calendar liturgically, whereas the Roman Catholic Church follows the modern Gregorian calendar. Thus Christmas Eve services for the Eastern and Western confessions will be held on different days. The Roman Catholic Church will celebrate the Nativity on December 25^th the Orthodox Church will celebrate the Nativity on January 7^th and the Armenian on January 19^th.

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