Bethlehem, Holy Land
As the birthplace of Jesus Christ (pbuh), the charming town of Bethlehem has a sweeter meaning to Christians than any other place on earth. This small rose-colored town has been thrust onto the world stage, its name conjuring up images of the infant Jesus, the Magi and the shepherds coming to worship. Bethlehem is indeed the Cradle of Christianity.
Bethlehem means the house of bread in Aramaic and Hebrew, and the house of meat in Arabic. It was first inhabited by the Canaanites and was the house of their God "Lahama". Bethlehem was mentioned in the Bible several times in connection with the death of Rachel; the friendship of Ruth and Boaz; the birth and anointing of King David (pbuh) and the birth of Jesus Christ (pbuh).
Religious sites
Church of the Nativity
Church of the Nativity is the oldest church in the Holy Land still in use, commemorating the birthplace of Jesus Christ (pbuh). Since St. Helena is believed to have built the Church of the Nativity, there are others who believe that it was the Emperor Constantine who ordered the construction of monumental churches to honor the three principal events of Jesus' life.
The construction began in 326 AD, and with the aid of the locals' traditions who believed that the cave in which Jesus Christ (pbuh) was born was at the end of the village, the architects were able to construct the shape of the cave according to architectural and devotional requirements. The cave was encased by an octagonal structure forming the sanctuary of the basilica, which stretched away to the west in five aisles divided by four rows of monolithic columns.
The Church was rich with mosaics, frescoes, marbles, and a silver manger replacing the original clay manger.
The present Church was built during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian. In 529, the Samaritans revolted, and the Church of the Nativity was badly damaged. The Patriarch of Jerusalem sent St. Sabas to Justinian for help, and the architect sent by the Emperor demolished the church and built the current one. New soil covered the mosaic floor built in 326, and a new pavement was laid at a higher level. When the Crusaders came in the 12th Century, they built a cloister and monastery around the north side of the Church.
Yet another restoration project took place between 1165 and 1169, in coordination between the Byzantine Empire and the Frankish Kingdom. The reparations took place all over the Church, covering many of the walls and the floors with marble; mosaic and mother-of-pearl. The cedar wood roof was covered with lead; the Grotto walls were laid with marble and mosaic covered the walls in the Grotto, and the two entrances received their present form.
The facade of the Church of the Nativity is encircled by the high walls of the three convents: the Franciscan on the northeast side, the Greek Orthodox and the Armenian Orthodox, on the southeast side. The facade had three doors, two of which are walled up. The present low entrance which leads into the narthex, was made at the beginning of the 16th century, in order to prevent the entrance of horses into the building. The narthex is divided into three compartments, and a single wooden door gives access to the interior
The Basilica is a rectangle 53.9m long, the nave is 26.2m wide, and the transept is 35.82m. Entering the Church, one can notice 4 rows of pillars, 44 in total, 6 meters high, and made of the white-veined red stone of the country. The white marble capitals are in debased Corinthian style and bear in the center of the abacus a rosette with an ornate Greek cross.
The remnants of the octagonal building which covered the Grotto of the Nativity can still be seen in the Armenian Chapel. The Armenian Altar in the northern transept is known as the Altar of the Kings, due to tradition, that it is the site were the Magi Magdalene dismounted.
In the eastern part, there are pieces of walls and steps which were part of the staircase leading from the center of the Basilica down to the Grotto.
Two doors lead out of the transept: one to the Church of St. Catherine, and the second to the Greek convent. The Church of St. George, on the left, is used by the Anglicans for carol service on Christmas Eve.
Two flights of steps from two sides lead down to the Grotto and meet at the Altar of the Nativity, the site where Jesus (pbuh) is said to have been born. The floor beneath the Altar is incased in white marble, where, fitted into the paving, shines a 14 pointed silver star marking the exact spot surrounded by the Latin inscription: HICDE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS EST . 1717 . (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). Of the 15 lamps burning around the recess, six belong to the Greeks, 5 to the Armenians and four to the Latins.
The Manger is situated on the north side of the Grotto, and opposite the Manger, an Altar is dedicated to the Wise Men who came to Bethlehem from the East under the guidance of a star bearing gifts to Baby Jesus.
The Grotto is rectangular in shape: length is 12.3m, and the breadth is 3.15m. Light in the Grotto is supplied by 53 lamps, 19 of which belong to the Latins. The floor and walls are covered with nine slabs of marble, and the side walls are covered with fire proof amianthus, which belongs to the Franciscans.
A mouth of a cistern can be seen at the end of the Grotto of the Nativity, and a door leading to a few chapels, the key of which belongs with the Franciscans. It was the Franciscans, who in 1470, dug out this passage in order to have access to the Grotto from the Church of St. Catherine. Excavations done between 1962 and 1964 by Father Farina, a Franciscan, proved that the grottos were occupied between 700 and 787 BC, and occupied again at the time of Christ till the year 333 AD. Father Farina found 35 tombs, and legend has it that Christians desired to be buried next to the holy place where Jesus (pbuh) was born.
The first chapel is dedicated to St. Joseph, in memory of the vision he had when an Angel came to him and told him to take the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus to Egypt to flee Herod's executions. The second chapel is dedicated to the Holy Innocents, the children and infants whose lives were taken by Herod in search of Christ.
Taking a left in the passageway, we find the tomb of St. Eusebius of Cremona, successor of St. Jerome, and superior of the Monastery. The common tombs of Saints Paula and Eustochium are in a room on the left, and opposite these tombs, there is the tomb of St. Jerome, whose remains are now in Rome. The last Chapel is that of St. Jerome, where he lived and worked.
Ascending from the grottos up a staircase, we end up in the Church of St. Catherine, built by the Franciscans in 1882 to replace a smaller medieval chapel of the canons of St. Augustine. St. Catherine of Alexandria is a saint about whom nothing is known before the 8th Century. There are no historical foundations and her personality is a mystery, and yet, on November 25, there is a feast honoring her.
Leaving the Church, there is a cloister that was restored in 1948 and 1949, and is above the remains of the walls of St. Jerome's monastery. To the west of the cloister, there is the cistern of St. Helen, and visitor can see the remains of the Constantinian and Justinian walls. At the south end of the cloister, there is a door that leads to the bell tower and the chapel built by the Crusaders. Leaving the cloister we end up at the Casa Nova, a Franciscan property.
Beit Sahour
Beit Sahour is reputed to be close to the place where, according to the New Testament, an angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. According to tradition, Helena built a convent at the site, which is today known as the shepherd's cave.
The name Beit Sahur belongs to two places in the vicinity: Beit Sahur al-Atiqah ("ancient Beit Sahur") and Beit Sahur an-Nasara ("Beit Sahur of the Christians"). 16th century Arab geographer Mujir al-Din mentions the former in a biography of a Muslim scholar Sha'ban bin Salim bin Sha'ban who died in the town in 1483 at the age of 105. The former was noted by French geographer Guerin as being 40 minutes away from Jerusalem, a short distance south of the Qidron Valley]
Beit Sahur al-Atiqah surrounded the tomb of Sheikh Ahmad al-Sahuri, a local saint to whom the local Arab tribe of al-Sawahirah attribute their name. The Sawahirah originate from the Hejaz and entered Palestine through al-Karak. The Survey of Western Palestine describes the town as "Ruins of a village with wells and a mukam." The modern Beit Sahur was described by the same survey as "sort of a suburb of Bethlehem, situated on the same ridge, with the broad plateau east of it known as the 'shepherd's plain'".]
Beit Jala
History and Culture
Situated on a hill adjacent to Bethlehem, the city of Beit Jala has existed for thousands of years,
Location and Climate
Located just 10 km south of the old city of Jerusalem and bordering Bethlehem, Beit Jala is in the heart of Biblical Palestine. High up in the Judean Hills, the city is located on a long, steep, slope, with and average elevation of 758 meters above sea level. Its highest point, known as “the
Situated on a hill adjacent to Bethlehem, the city of Beit Jala has existed for thousands of years,
Location and Climate
Located just 10 km south of the old city of Jerusalem and bordering Bethlehem, Beit Jala is in the heart of Biblical Palestine. High up in the Judean Hills, the city is located on a long, steep, slope, with and average elevation of 758 meters above sea level. Its highest point, known as “the
Demographics and Economy
The Economy of Beit Jala is intrinsically linked to that of the greater Bethlehem district, which accounts for around 12% of the total GDP of the
The Economy of Beit Jala is intrinsically linked to that of the greater Bethlehem district, which accounts for around 12% of the total GDP of the
Transportation
The best way for travelers to get around in Beit Jala and Bethlehem is to take a taxi; its hard to spend more than a minute on a street corner and not have one pass you. Taxis in Palestine,
The Milk Grotto is an irregular Grotto sorrounded by a Franciscan Chapel and hollowed out of soft milk-white rock famous for its healing powers for lactating mothers. It is said that women take a piece of the rock, grind it and mix it with their drink while nursing.
In 638 AD Omar ibn Al-Khattab visited Bethlehem as an envoy of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). He prayed where the Mosque that carries his name now stands.
The existing Mosque was built in 1860 and was last renovated in 1954. The Mosque is a symbol of religious co-existence in Bethlehem.
It was built on lands donated by the Greek Orthodox Church to the Muslims, and it is the only Muslim shrine of worship in the Old City of Bethlehem.
In the Orthodox Shepherd's Field, a site in a small valley with olive trees some of them dating back 2000 years, an underground Church is dedicated to Synaxis of the Mother of God (celebrated December 26th). On the night of Christ's Nativity, this underground church was the cave of the shepherds, who heard the angelic proclamation "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will to men" (Luke 2-14). This cave was one of the many churches built by Saint Helena in the year 325 AD. The cave functioned first as a shelter, then as a tomb of the shepherds, and has been treated as such by Christians since the 4th century.
On the basis of archaeological evidence, it has been proved that the church dated to early Byzantine period, and that it is the earliest Christian structure build on this site.
Now the holy site consists of five churches:
The Natural Cave Church which dates to the 2nd half of the 4th century
The Cave Church, dating to the 5th century
The Roof Chapel, which also dated to the 5th century
The Basilica, which dates to the 6th century
The Monastery Church, which dates to the 7th century
The nearby field of Ruth is traditionally associated with the events of the Old Testament (recounted in the Book of Ruth 1:16).
Solomon's Pools history goes back to Herod the Great being part of an ancient waterway supplying water to his fortress and palace at Herodion, and may have been conceived by Pontuis Pilate.
In 1617 the Turkish Sultan Suleiman Al-Qanouni built a small fortress known as the "Castle of the Pools" to defend the water source and the commercial caravans between Jerusalem and Hebron.
Tradition has it that Saint Theodosius was led by God to seek out a cave where the three Wise Men rested after paying homage to Infant Jesus, and after the angel had warned them to return to their country via another road "They were warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod; they departed into their country another way" (Matthew 2:12).
The immense and spectacular monastery built into the rock overlooking the Kidron River, with its griddle of walls and towers, is a thrilling shock when it suddenly comes into view in the midst of this desertland.
Despite the fact that Mar Saba is reputed to have had a long tradition of hospitality to strangers, women have never been allowed to enter. This regulation persists today, so female visitors must be satisfied with a glimpse of the chapel and buildings from a nearby two-storey tower on the right entrance, the so-called Women's Tower.
The best way for travelers to get around in Beit Jala and Bethlehem is to take a taxi; its hard to spend more than a minute on a street corner and not have one pass you. Taxis in Palestine,
Milk Grotto, Bethlehem
The Milk Grotto is an irregular Grotto sorrounded by a Franciscan Chapel and hollowed out of soft milk-white rock famous for its healing powers for lactating mothers. It is said that women take a piece of the rock, grind it and mix it with their drink while nursing.
Mosque of Omar, Bethlehem
The existing Mosque was built in 1860 and was last renovated in 1954. The Mosque is a symbol of religious co-existence in Bethlehem.
It was built on lands donated by the Greek Orthodox Church to the Muslims, and it is the only Muslim shrine of worship in the Old City of Bethlehem.
King David's Wells, Bethlehem
Rachel's Tomb, Bethlehem
Shepherds' Field, Bethlehem
In the Orthodox Shepherd's Field, a site in a small valley with olive trees some of them dating back 2000 years, an underground Church is dedicated to Synaxis of the Mother of God (celebrated December 26th). On the night of Christ's Nativity, this underground church was the cave of the shepherds, who heard the angelic proclamation "Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will to men" (Luke 2-14). This cave was one of the many churches built by Saint Helena in the year 325 AD. The cave functioned first as a shelter, then as a tomb of the shepherds, and has been treated as such by Christians since the 4th century.
On the basis of archaeological evidence, it has been proved that the church dated to early Byzantine period, and that it is the earliest Christian structure build on this site.
Now the holy site consists of five churches:
The Natural Cave Church which dates to the 2nd half of the 4th century The Cave Church, dating to the 5th century The Roof Chapel, which also dated to the 5th century The Basilica, which dates to the 6th century The Monastery Church, which dates to the 7th century The nearby field of Ruth is traditionally associated with the events of the Old Testament (recounted in the Book of Ruth 1:16).
Solomon's Pools, Bethlehem
Solomon's Pools history goes back to Herod the Great being part of an ancient waterway supplying water to his fortress and palace at Herodion, and may have been conceived by Pontuis Pilate.
In 1617 the Turkish Sultan Suleiman Al-Qanouni built a small fortress known as the "Castle of the Pools" to defend the water source and the commercial caravans between Jerusalem and Hebron.
St. Theodosius Monastery, Bethlehem
Tradition has it that Saint Theodosius was led by God to seek out a cave where the three Wise Men rested after paying homage to Infant Jesus, and after the angel had warned them to return to their country via another road "They were warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod; they departed into their country another way" (Matthew 2:12).
Mar Saba Monastery, Bethlehem
The immense and spectacular monastery built into the rock overlooking the Kidron River, with its griddle of walls and towers, is a thrilling shock when it suddenly comes into view in the midst of this desertland.
Despite the fact that Mar Saba is reputed to have had a long tradition of hospitality to strangers, women have never been allowed to enter. This regulation persists today, so female visitors must be satisfied with a glimpse of the chapel and buildings from a nearby two-storey tower on the right entrance, the so-called Women's Tower.
Mar Elias Monastery, Bethlehem
This Greek Orthodox Monastery stands like a fortress on a hill from which both Jerusalem and Bethlehem can be seen. Mar Elias Monastery is located 5 km to the north of Bethlehem on the way to Jerusalem, and was founded in the 6th century AD and rebuilt by the Emperor Manual Communes in 1160.
Legend has it that the building stands on the site where prophet Elijah (pbuh) rested on his flight from the Vengeance of Queen Jezebel, who was seeking vengeance after Elijah slaughtered the priests of Baal (1 Kings 19:15). Another tradition holds that Greek Bishop Elias of Bethlehem was buried here in 1345, and another holds that it places the sepulcher of St. Elias, an Egyptian monk who became Patriarch of Jerusalem in 494.
Mar Elias is believed to answer the prayers of barren women and ailing children. From the monastery, Bethlehem can be seen to the south, Herodion to the southeast and sometimes the Dead Sea across the valley to the east.
Herodion, Bethlehem
"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord Appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him" (Matthew, 11 13).
6 km south east of Bethlehem, in the wild and setting of this part of Judea, rises the rough, conical hill dominated by the Herodion (Herod's Fortress), a fortified palace standing 300 feet (92 m) above its surrounding, built by Herod the Great in memory of his victory after defeating Antigonus in 39 BC. Which is; with its powerful remains; considered one of the most grandiose architectural projects realized by Herod.
From the top of the hill a desolate but impressive panorama can be enjoyed, sweeping across the Desert of Judea to the Dead Sea and including Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The palace became one of Herod's impregnable refuges, a true eagle's eyre.
The remains of walls and fortified towers, the fragments of mosaic, the great water cisterns, the buildings meant for baths and banqueting, are proofs of the magnificence of the original construction, which legend still holds to be the burial place of Herod.
