The Church of the Nativity is jointly controlled by three Christian denominations: the Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Each denomination has its designated areas and responsibilities within the church.
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The Church of the Nativity, located in Bethlehem, is one of the most significant Christian sites in the world. This holy site is revered by millions of Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Since its construction in the 4th century AD, the church has been jointly controlled by three prominent Christian denominations: the Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The agreement reached in 1852, known as the “Status Quo,” has helped maintain the delicate balance of power and responsibilities among the three denominations. Under this agreement, each denomination has its designated areas and responsibilities within the church. The Roman Catholic Church oversees the central nave and the Grotto of the Nativity, a small underground chamber believed to be the actual birthplace. The Greek Orthodox Church controls the majority of the church, including the Altar of the Adoration and the Greek Orthodox part of the Grotto. The Armenian Apostolic Church has control over the left transept, the Chapel of the Kings, and the Armenian part of the Grotto.
This unique arrangement of shared responsibilities has been maintained for centuries, despite occasional disputes and tensions. The goal is to ensure that all three denominations have their rightful place to worship and observe their religious traditions within the Church of the Nativity.
To shed some light on this complex situation, former United States President Jimmy Carter once said, “The Church of the Nativity, which stands in the center of the city Bethlehem, serves as a potent reminder that the three Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – share much in common and occupy a place of historical understanding and empathy.”
Here are some interesting facts about the Church of the Nativity:
- The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest continuously operating Christian churches in the world. It has survived numerous conflicts, invasions, and earthquakes throughout its history.
- The church’s construction was ordered by Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century AD. It was built over the site where it is believed that Jesus was born.
- The interior of the church is adorned with beautiful mosaics, ornate artwork, and ancient relics, making it a significant pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide.
- The entrance to the church is a small, low door known as the “Door of Humility.” This humble entrance was intentionally designed to prevent horse-mounted attackers from entering the church.
- The church is a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts millions of tourists and pilgrims each year.
Table of Control and Responsibilities within the Church of the Nativity:
| Denomination | Designated Areas/Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Greek Orthodox Church | Altar of the Adoration, Greek Orthodox Grotto, etc. |
| Roman Catholic Church | Central nave, Grotto of the Nativity, etc. |
| Armenian Apostolic Church | Left transept, Chapel of the Kings, Armenian Grotto, etc. |
Note: This table is a representative overview and does not encompass all areas and responsibilities within the Church of the Nativity. It illustrates the general division of control among the three denominations.
See a video about the subject
“The Church of the Nativity” is a YouTube video that explores the historical significance of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This ancient church, built in the fourth century by Roman Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena, is the oldest standing church in continual use in the Holy Land. Although the original structure was destroyed, the current church, rebuilt by Emperor Justinian in 556 AD, still has elements of the original architecture. One notable artifact is a surviving piece of the floor from Constantine’s construction, discovered in 1934. The church’s grotto, marked by a silver star, is revered as the birthplace of Jesus and has been a tradition since the first century.
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The Church of the Nativity is managed under the terms and provisions of the ‘Status Quo of the Holy Places’, which is implemented by the three churches occupying the place; the Greek Orthodox Church, the Custody of the Holy Land and the Armenian Patriarchate.
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The first Church was built by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD, over the grotto where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Constantine and his mother, Helena, built a magnificent and majestic church adorned with beautiful marble and mosaics.
Soon after, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian rebuilt the church in a bigger, grander fashion—largely the structure that remains today.