The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (Palestine)

The entire cave is illuminated by lamps; the floor is laid with marble. In the central niche there’s an altar, and beneath it there’s the silver Star indicating the place, above which the star of the Orient stopped when the Savior of the world was born.

In the inner circle of the Star there’s an inscription in Latin: “Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est” (Here Jesus Christ was born by the Virgin Mary). 15 lamps are continually burning around this niche, 6 of which belong to Orthodox Greeks, 5 belong to Armenians and 4 to Catholics. Pilgrims kneel down and reverently kiss the silver Star.

Three steps away from the Star is the altar of “the Holy manger”; the image of Infant Jesus made of wax is lying in the manger. The altar of “the worship of the magi” is also here.

Behind the basilica, to the east, there’s the field of the Shepherds, to whom an Angel appeared and made known about the birth of the Savior. Once there was a temple on this spot, but only the lower side-chapel remained intact; worship with a liturgy regularly takes place there to this day. The main parishioners are Orthodox Arabs. The temple of the Nativity is adjoined by three monasteries: Greek, Armenian and Catholic. These monasteries serve as hospices for numerous pilgrims.

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