USS Saratoga CV-60 1984-87 Cruise - Israel Bethlahem 01

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. We arrive at what does not obviously appear to be a typical entrance. The basilica is entered through a very low door, cut into the side of a exterior wall, called the "Door of Humility." There is a sign on the wall entrance, placed there by the Officer in Charge of Religious Affairs, (Civil Administration for Judaea and Samaria) Official rules for visitors state: 1. The place that you are visiting is Holy. 2. Please conduct yourself with due respect for it. 3. Smoking is prohibited. 4. Cleanliness should be strictly kept. 5. Absolute silent is urged. 6. Modest dress demeanour is essential. 7. Eating and drinking within these precincts are absolutely forbidden. 8. No church property may be touched. 9. No head dress may be worn within the precincts. 10. The bringing in of animals is prohibited. 11. Arms may not be taken within the church. 12. Photographs may be taken but not of members of the Clergy. "Visitors must adhere to any instructions given by responsible staff and guardians of the church. Offenders will be punished." Immediately upon entering, you can't help noticing a complex array of oil lamps throughout the entire building hanging above you everywhere. A few more steps takes you to a trap door in the floor. This opening in the modern floor reveals a portion of the original Roman style mosaic floor. To enter the actual Nativity cave, there are stairways on either side of the Sanctuary that lead downward to the Grotto of the Nativity. The underground cave located beneath the basilica, enshrines the site where Jesus is said to have been born. The exact spot is marked beneath an altar by a 14-pointed silver star set into the marble floor and surrounded by silver lamps. This Altar of Nativity is denominationally neutral, although it features primarily Armenian Apostolic influences. Another nearby altar in the Grotto cave site, which is maintained by the Roman Catholics, marks the site where traditionally Mary laid the newborn babe in the manger. Just across from the Church of the Nativity, the Roman basilica built over the grotto that is the traditional spot of Jesus's birth, are many storefronts of souvenir shops. Inside, their owners eagerly await the arrival of foreign visitors or pilgrims and their desire to purchase a little bit of the holy city to take home with them. As the birthplace of Christianity, Jerusalem and its vicinity possess the most important Christian holy sites, which have become a significant focus of adoration for Christians all over the world. Subsequently, Jerusalem emerged as the third most holy city in Islam. The preservation of this legally sanctioned duality has been a major challenge for whoever ruled Jerusalem in the name of Islam. Church of Nativity. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Christ, and it is considered sacred by followers of both Christianity and Islam. The antiquity of this tradition is attested by the Christian apologist Justin Martyr (c. 100 - 165), who noted in his Dialogue with Trypho that the Holy Family had taken refuge in a cave outside of town. Origen of Alexandria (185 AD----ca. 254) wrote: In Bethlehem the cave is pointed out where He was born, and the manger in the cave where He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. And the rumor is in those places, and among foreigners of the Faith, that indeed Jesus was born in this cave. Contra Celsum, I, li. The first basilica on this site was begun by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine I. Under the supervision of Bishop Makarios of Jerusalem the construction was completed in 333. That structure was burnt down in the Samaritan Revolt of 529. The current basilica was rebuilt in its present form in 565 by the Emperor Justinian I. When the Persians under Chosroes II invaded in 614, they unexpectedly did not destroy the structure. According to legend, their commander Shahrbaraz was moved by the depiction inside the church of the Three Magi wearing Persian clothing, and commanded that the building be spared. The Crusaders made further repairs and additions to the building during the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem with permission and help given by the Byzantine Emperor. Over the years, the compound has been expanded, and today it covers approximately 12,000 square meters. The church is administered jointly by Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian Apostolic authorities. All three traditions maintain monastic communities on the site.

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YouTube | May 2, 2007

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