The Church of the Shepherd’s Fields is suited approximately 2 kilometers to the east of Bethlehem, at the east end of the Arab village of Beit Sahour. It’s considered one of the most sacred places in the Holy Land and attracts many pilgrims each year. The fertile fields of Beit Sahour are believed to be where the Angel of the Lord appeared to the Shepherds that were keeping watch over their flocks at night and informed them of Jesus’ birth.

“8 And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock. 9 And behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. 10 And the angel said to them: Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people…” (Luke 2:8-10)

These fields are also believed to be where Ruth and Naomi, the Hebrew matriarchs, gleaned in on their way to Bethlehem from Moab.

The Greek Orthodox and the Roman Catholics (Franciscans) each have their own shrine known as Shepherd’s Fields.
The Greek Orthodox site features a church from the 5th century that was built over a cave, used as a shelter to the shepherds, that immortalizes the proclamation of the Angel to the shepherds. This site is known as Kanisat al-Ruwat (Church of the Shepherds) by the locals. Excavations have also uncovered a larger Byzantine church that was destroyed in 614 and a 7th century monastery that survived until the 10th century. Today’s Church was built in 1972 over the restored 4th century lower church and the monastery has been preserved.

The Roman Catholics site is about 600 meters north of the Greek Orthodox Shepherd’s Field and it features a Franciscan Chapel design that represents the Shepherd’s tent. This site is known as Siyar al-Ghanam (the place where shepherds keep the sheep) by the locals.

Today’s Church was built in 1954 above the restored 4th century lower church, representing a nomadic tent. The church was designed by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi. The dome is decorated with bronze angel designs and it’s made of glass windows that enable bright light to suffuse the church, symbolizing the light that shined upon the shepherds when the Angel of the Lord appeared to them. Four bronze statues of the shepherds are standing in the amazing altar.

The site also includes the remains of a 4th century church and a 6th century monastery which included winepresses, bakery, cisterns and animal pens.
The third site in that area is the YMCA Rehabilitation Center of Beit Sahour where many Protestants commemorate Shepherd’s Fields. Here are number of large caves and pines grove.

More photos of Haifa sites are available at HolyLand Photo Gallery