The church of Nativity in Bethlehem is the oldest operating church in the Holy Land.

This splendid Church was founded by Constantine and his mother, St. Helene, in the year 326 A.D. The Church was built over a cave which, according to the tradition, marks the Christ’s birthplace.

Emperor Justinian destroyed the Constantinian Church and rebuilt the current structure in the year 530 A.D. The Church was much larger than the former one and the builders used lavishly and elegant decorated basilica in order to immortalize the manger where Jesus was born. It was built in two separate parts. Above the Nativity cave is the basilica and commemoration area and the western section is for worship.

The church was spared destruction from the Persians invasion in 614 A.D. for they where impressed by the Magi on the walls. The church was restored twice by local artists, one in the 12th century and the second was in the 17th century.
The low rectangular entrance of the Church, called “The Door of Humility” was built to force all visitors to dismount from their horses and bow while they entered the holy place.

In the center, accessed that low entrance, is a spacious sanctuary situated between two columns of pillars. Some of the pillars were adorned with paintings of Saints and Prophets, the Virgin and Child.

Both sides of the sanctuary are decorated with wall mosaics, made by an artist called Basilius Pictor. The top of each mosaics wall contains series of Angels, the middle contained the decrees of ecumenical council and the lowest contained the ancestors of Jesus.

Underneath the present floor are amazing sections of floor mosaics from the original basilica of the earlier church.

More photos of The Church of the Nativity are available at HolyLand Photo Gallery

Information on more sites on the Holy Land you may find at our Holy Land Directory