A church was first completed in ad 339 and the present edifice was completed in 565 after a fire in the 6th century. The site includes Latin, Greek Orthodox, Franciscan and Armenian convents and churches, as well as bell towers, terraced gardens and a pilgrimage route.
The main entrance to the Church of the Nativity is called “The Door of Humility” because it is only about 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide and when you pass through it, you must bow down to enter.
The Grotto of the Nativity, an underground cave located beneath the basilica, enshrines the site where Jesus is said to have been born. The exact spot is marked beneath an altar by a 14-pointed silver star set into the marble floor and surrounded by silver lamps. This altar is denominationally neutral, although it features primarily Armenian Apostolic influences. Another altar in the Grotto, which is maintained by the Roman Catholics, marks the site where traditionally Mary laid the newborn Baby in the manger.
The church is administered jointly by Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Orthodox authorities. All three traditions maintain monastic communities on the site. The main Basilica of the Nativity is maintained by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. It is designed like a typical Roman basilica, with five aisles (formed by Corinthian columns) and an apse in the eastern end, where the sanctuary is.
In 2012, the church complex became the first Palestinian site to be listed as a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session on 29 June. The site is also on UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites in Danger. The present state of the church is worrying. Many roof timbers are rotting, and have not been replaced since the 19th century. The rainwater that seeps into the building not only accelerates the rotting of the wood and damages the structural integrity of the building, but also damages the 12th-century wall mosaics and paintings.
Restoration 2013 - 2019
A Presidential committee for the restoration of the Nativity Church was appointed in 2008. In 2010, the Palestinian Authority announced that a multimillion-dollar restoration programme was imminent. President Mahmoud Abbas has been actively involved in the project, which is led by Ziad al-Bandak. The project is partially funded by Palestinians and conducted by a team of Palestinian and international experts.
The initial phase of the restoration work was completed in early 2016. New windows have been installed, structural repairs on the roof have been completed and art works and mosaics have been cleaned and restored. The works went further with the consolidation of the narthex, the cleaning and consolidation of all wooden elements, the cleaning of wall mosaics, mural paintings, and floor mosaics. The works came to an end in 2020.
A baptismal font, a glass lantern and a mosaic of an angel are just some of the surprise discoveries made during repairs.
Our pictures show 1- the outside of the Church of the Nativity, 2- the Door of Humility (main entrance), 3- the 14-pointed silver star marking Jesus birthplace in the Grotto of Nativity, 4- the manger in the Grotto of the Nativity, 5- the Greek Orthodox iconostasis, 6- the mosaic over the altar in St. Jerome's chapel depicting St. Eustochium, St. Paula, St. Jerome and his successor at the head of the monactic community, St. Eusebius of Cremona 7- St. Jerome's Cave where he translated the Hebrew Bible into latin known as the Vulgate.
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