Holy Week In The Town Of Bethlehem
The Shrine of the Nativity
This basilica located in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, Palestine celebrates the location of the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth, according to Christian tradition. The basilica was originally commissioned by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great at the request of his mother Helena in the 4th century. The current church dates back to the 6th century, having been rebuilt by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, played a crucial role in the legalization and advancement of Christianity in the Roman Empire during the 4th century. Her influence helped pave the way for Christianity to become the state religion. She made a pilgrimage in the form of a large expedition) to the Holy Land, where she is traditionally credited with discovering a number of Christian relics, including the True Cross and the location of the tomb of Jesus. Her efforts enhanced the Christian church’s status and influence throughout the Roman Empire.
Today she is venerated as a saint and is acknowledged as the patron saint of several groups, including Christian converts along with archaeologists, who honor her contributions to the faith and its history.
This Christmas In Bethlehem
Christmas 2024 again finds virtually no celebration in Bethlehem. Bethlehem’s Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity is largely deserted and the nearby shops are closed.
As recently as 2019, Holy Week would attract over 3,000,000 people, mostly Christians, to the town of Bethlehem for Christmas. The birthplace of Christ Jesus is only six miles from Jerusalem and in 1950 the towns population was 80% Christian. Today, other than clerics at the holy sites, there are literally no Christians left in Bethlehem. Last year and this year entry by visitors is suspended because of the war.
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