- Bethlehem is the capital city of the Bethlehem Governate in the West Bank, Palestine, which is located 6 miles (10km) south of Jerusalem. It has a population of c. 25,000 inhabitants.
- It holds the Church of the Nativity, a Unesco World Heritage Site, where Jesus was born according to the Gospels, and is a major site of Pilgrimage for Christians. It also holds Rachel’s Tomb, a site of Pilgrimage for Jews, Muslims and Christians.
History
- Bethlehem is mentioned in the Amarna Letters (1350-1330 BCE).
- The Bible refers to Bethlehem as a city of Rehoboam and where King David was anointed.
- In the New Testament, the Gospels of Matthew and Luke state that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Roman Sites
- Church of the Nativity (339 CE)
- This Basilica was commissioned by Constantine I in 327 CE, after his mother, Helena, had visited the Site.
- It was the first Church to be built in the Holy Land, and was dedicated on 31st May 339 CE.
- The Grotto of the Nativity located in the crypt is considered to be the birthplace of Jesus.
- The Church is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
- The Catholic Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is broadcast globally from this Church and is attended by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. The Orhodox Church conducts the same ceremony 13 days later.
- The Basilica is maintained by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Other Sites
- Rachel’s Tomb
- Also known as the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque.
- It is a site of Pilgrimage for Jews, Muslims and Christians and the current building dates from the Ottoman Period.
- It is considered to be the burial site of Rachel, one of Jacob’s two wives, who died giving birth to Benjamin, as described in Genesis in The Bible.
Bethlehem