The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest working churches in existence today. 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.
Later, during the 6th century, the Byzantine emperor Justinian built a new and even more intricate church on the same spot. During the Persian invasion in the 7th century, the church was spared destruction. By the 11th century, the Crusaders raised their flag above the Basilica of the Nativity and renovated it.
The main entrance to the Church of the Nativity was gradually made lower and narrower in order to protect it from invaders. Two sets of stairs lead down to the Grotto of the Nativity where a fourteen point silver star marks the exact spot of Jesus’ birth. An inscription on the star states: Hic de Virgin Maria Jesus Christus Natus Est – meaning “Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary.” The actual guardianship of the Church is shared by three Christian denominations: Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Armenian.
Opening Hours: Summer (April – September) 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Winter (October – March) 5:30 a.m. –5:00p.m.
Note: Sunday morning the Church is open for Holy Mass. Grotto is closed on Sunday morning and opens in the afternoon.
Location: Manger Square, Bethlehem
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Contact usRami did an excellent job of leading our group. We truly experienced the heart of Israel with his knowledge and passion. A wonderful experience and would absolutely choose Shine again!
I had such a beautiful journey in Israel with Shine Bible Tours and Rami+Ranya’s heartfelt leadership! The excellent planning and intentional prayer that went into our experience was deeply felt. I am forever grateful and can’t wait to bring my family back! I am dreaming of what it could look like to bring a team of worshippers and songwriters on a journey to Israel. I highly recommend anyone who wants to experience the depth of God’s Heart in Israel to consider Shine Bible Tours!
SUCCESS! I hosted my first group to Israel with Shine Bible Tours! 17 dear friends met me in Israel from all over the United States. They entrusted me to find the BEST guide company who could also acquire the perfect accommodations for our group needs. Rami and Ranya went beyond any and all expectations! They took in consideration what I wanted to create for my group and the pace we wanted to go! IT WAS PERFECT! Rami was our guide for this tour. He is extremely knowledgeable. Not only his depth of knowledge about history, geography, topography but his insight into scripture is refreshing. His insight challenged us to think beyond anything we 'thought' we knew. We were stretched, challenged to grow! WE DID! We had this amazing thing that happened to many of us on this trip. We came back with business ideas, ministry expansion ideas and a blueprint for future LIFE- steps. It surely seems like we were commissioned from Jerusalem to carry something home! I have to thank Shine Bible Tours, Rami and Ranya for preparing such an amazing experience for myself and my friends. We will be back. IN FACT, FROM THIS GROUP ALONE we are scheduling 3 tours for next year!!!!! PLUS I have two more groups coming with me this fall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHINE TOURS IS JUST SIMPLY THAT GOOD! I just keep coming back for more!
This trip was more than I could have imagined. It wasn't a tour but an experience. We had times of stillness to take in what we were seeing and hearing, and the knowledge Rami shared with us made everything so much richer. Rami and Mary Kristi thought through every detail so that we were cared for and able to soak it all in. I will be taking a group one day so others can experience what I have!
