The Church of the Nativity Bethlehem
According to Tradition the Birthplace of Jesus Christ
Sep 27, 2009
The first church, built in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine, was destroyed during the Samarian Revolt of 529 C.E and subsequently rebuilt by Emperor Justinian (527-65).
Church of the Nativity
Qustandi Shomali an Associate Professor at Bethlehem University, writing in 2001, said, “For centuries it was one of the most fought over of the Holy Places. It was only by chance that this building escaped destruction during the Persian invasion of 614 C.E.”
It seems that a depiction of the Magi on one of the walls diverted them from the task in hand. It was one of the few Christian churches to be spared in the Persian onslaught.
The Church is today controlled by three Christian denominations: Armenian Church, Greek Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, each denomination having its own convent within the basilica.
Door of Humility
The main entrance, the only one of the three original doors remaining, to the church is through the very low Door of Humility (2.3x 4.3 feet), so named because visitors have to bend forward to enter. Originally a Crusader door it was altered by the Ottomans to ensure mounted horsemen could not enter.
Qustandi Shomali described the picture, which greets visitors as they file through the entrance. He said, “The former narthex (portico) of Justinian’s imposing church is now bare, dark and divided into three rather gloomy compartments."
This rather depressing scene is in stark contrast to the interior of the church, which boasts an impressive, yet, simple space where limestone Corinthian columns decorated with frescos of the apostles, now sadly faded, dominate.
Originally all the inner walls would have been covered in mosaics, few now remain. However the ones that are still visible paint an evocative picture of early religious life: particularly some of the walls in the central nave, which still have traces of some splendid mosaics dating from the late 12th century.
Grotto of the Nativity
For the many Christians who visit each year, the Grotto of the Nativity contains the manger believed to be the place where Christ was born and today a 14-point star, inlaid in white marble, marks the place of his birth. Nearby are three altars: the altar of the Nativity, the Altar of the Manger which marks the place where baby Jesus was placed after he was born, a third alter was placed in memory of the Wise Men.
There is little left of the original church, what remains today reflects a juxtaposition of ancient architectural styles, religious influences and contemporary necessity in a volatile part of the world.
This short article can only offer the reader the briefest of glimpses into, the not always glorious, history of one of Christendom’s special places, its intention merely to whet their appetite for further research.
Note:
Bethlehem is situated within the Palestinian West-Bank Territories about six miles from the Israeli city of Jerusalem.
Sources:
Qustandi Shomali, Associate Professor Bethlehem University, Church of the Nativity: History & Structure, a paper presented at the UNESCO International Congress 10-12 September 2001
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