Church of the Nativity
The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity,[a] is a basilica located in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine. The grotto holds a prominent religious significance to Christians of various denominations as the birthplace of Jesus. The grotto is the oldest site continuously used as a place of worship in Christianity, and the basilica is the oldest major church in the Holy Land.[3]
For other uses, see Church of the Nativity (disambiguation).Church of the Nativity
Shared: Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, and Greek Orthodox Church, with minor Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox, and Syriac Orthodox rites[1]
Active
Byzantine (Constantine the Great and Justinian I)
326
c. 565
iv, vi
2012[2]
The church was originally commissioned by Constantine the Great a short time after his mother Helena's visit to Jerusalem and Bethlehem in 325–326, on the site that was traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus.[4][5] That original basilica was likely built between 330 and 333, being already mentioned in 333, and was dedicated on 31 May 339.[4][5] It was probably destroyed by fire during the Samaritan revolts of the sixth century, possibly in 529, and a new basilica was built a number of years later by Byzantine Emperor Justinian (r. 527–565), who added a porch or narthex, and replaced the octagonal sanctuary with a cruciform transept complete with three apses, but largely preserved the original character of the building, with an atrium and a basilica consisting of a nave with four side aisles.[4][5]
The Church of the Nativity, while remaining basically unchanged since the Justinianic reconstruction, has seen numerous repairs and additions, especially from the Crusader period, such as two bell towers (now gone), wall mosaics and paintings (partially preserved).[6] Over the centuries, the surrounding compound has been expanded, and today it covers approximately 12,000 square meters, comprising three different monasteries: one Catholic, one Armenian Apostolic, and one Greek Orthodox,[7] of which the first two contain bell towers built during the modern era.[6]
The silver star marking the spot where Christ was born, inscribed in Latin, was stolen in October 1847 by Greek monks who wished to remove this Catholic item.[4] Some assert that this was a contributing factor in the Crimean War against the Russian Empire.[8] Others assert that the war grew out of the wider European situation.[9]
Since 2012, the Church of the Nativity is a World Heritage Site and was the first to be listed by UNESCO under 'Palestine'.[10][11]
Since 1852, the rights of the three religious communities are ruled by Status Quo.[12][1]
Base in scripture[edit]
Of the four canonical gospels, Matthew and Luke mention the birth of Jesus, both placing it in Bethlehem.[13][14] Luke mentions the manger: "and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."[15]
A variant of the narrative is contained in the Gospel of James, an apocryphal infancy gospel.
History[edit]
Holy site before Constantine (ca. 4 BC–AD 326)[edit]
The holy site known as the Nativity Grotto is thought to be the cave in which Jesus was born. In 135, Emperor Hadrian had the site above the grotto converted into a worship place for Adonis, the mortal lover of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and desire.[16][17] Jerome claimed in 420 that the grotto had been consecrated to the worship of Adonis, and that a sacred grove was planted there in order to completely wipe out the memory of Jesus from the world.[16][18]
Around AD 248, Greek philosopher Origen of Alexandria wrote the following about the grotto:
Property and administration[edit]
The property rights, liturgical use and maintenance of the church are regulated by a set of documents and understandings known as the Status Quo.[1] The church is owned by three church authorities, the Greek Orthodox (most of the building and furnishings), the Catholic and the Armenian Apostolic (each of them with lesser properties).[1] The Coptic Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox are holding minor rights of worship at the Armenian church in the northern transept, and at the Altar of Nativity.[1] There have been repeated brawls among monk trainees over quiet respect for others' prayers, hymns and even the division of floor space for cleaning duties.[68] The Palestinian police are often called to restore peace and order.[69]
The Door of Humility, main entrance into the Church
Constantine's 4th-century mosaic floor rediscovered in 1934
Icon of Mary and Jesus ("Mary of Bethleem") near the staircase to the Nativity Grotto
The upper part of the Altar of the Nativity
The Altar of the Nativity, beneath which is the star marking the spot where tradition says Jesus was born
