Bethlehem is the traditional birthplace of Jesus. The Basilica of the Nativity is built on the traditional birth site. The photo below reveals the 4-foot high entrance reportedly designed in the 1600s to keep men on horses from entering.
The photo below is of an altar within the basilica.
The photo with the star marks the traditional site of Jesus' birth.
The next photo depicts a person praying at the altar of the traditional manger site where Jesus was lay following his birth.
The Church of St Catherine is a Roman Catholic Church next to the Basilica of the Nativity. It was built in the 1800s and is reported to be above the cave complex where Jesus was born. Earlier churches were built on the site with evidence of one from the era of the Crusaders (c 1100s).
This church is the site of the midnight mass broadcast each Christmas Eve.
St Catherine lived in Alexandria Egypt in the 300s. Her conversion story is based on a vision of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrated her feast day 24-25 November.
Inside the Church of St Catherine
A window in the Church of St Catherine
The caves below the church are connected to the Basilica of the Nativity. According to tradition, Jerome ( Statue below) translated the Latin Bible there.
Photos are from 1996
My website is www.suttong.com
Google Map Church of Nativity Bethlehem
My wife and were on a tour organized by EO of Lakeland, Florida: Link Educational Opportunity Tours
No comments:
Post a Comment