Introduction
The city of Bethlehem is one of the famous Palestinian cities that has an important status among Christians. Bethlehem is located two kilometers south of the city of Jerusalem, that is, in the West Bank, on an area of eight thousand dunums. The city of Bethlehem is considered one of the oldest cities and includes many ancient churches. Many ancient civilizations came to this city, such as the Canaanites, Assyrians, Arameans, and Syriacs.
Bethlehem's historical status
The history of Bethlehem dates back to before Christ, and the first people to inhabit it were the Canaanites. Bethlehem was given this name in reference to the Canaanite goddess Lahmu, who symbolizes fertility. The city of Bethlehem occupies an important historical place because of the prevailing belief that Christ Jesus, peace be upon him, was born there, and for this reason The reason is that the city of Bethlehem has become famous since that time for its position among Christians, as it contains the cave in which Jesus, peace be upon him, was born. The Church of the Nativity was built during the reign of Queen Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine I, and that was in the year 326 AD. The city of Bethlehem was exposed to many attacks, such as the Persian invasion and the Roman invasion, after which it was liberated during the reign of Caliph Omar bin Al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him. After that, it fell into the hands of the Crusaders and was liberated during the reign of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi after the Battle of Hattin. It was also subjected to the rule of the Mamluks and others. Then the Ottoman rule, and then the British invasion, which handed over all of Palestine to the Jewish-Zionist invasion.
Read also:Where is Arish located?Landmarks of the ancient city of Bethlehem
- Church of the Nativity It is one of the oldest churches in the world, and it was named after the cradle of Christ, peace be upon him, who was born in it. The Church of the Nativity is distinguished by the Roman style, that is, similar to Roman temples and structures. The church contains the cave in which Christ was born, and is decorated with white marble that covers the floors of the church nave. From the inside, the church in which prayers are held is surrounded by many monasteries belonging to a group of Christian sects.
- Milk cave It is a cave sacred to Christian sects and is located on the south-eastern side of the Church of the Nativity. It was named that because it is the place where Mary, peace be upon her, was breastfeeding Christ, peace be upon him. The cave contains a white rock symbolizing the Virgin Mary’s milk.
- Wells of the Prophet David It was named after the Prophet David, peace be upon him, who was also born in the city of Bethlehem, which is famous for the presence of wells there. It is said that the Prophet David, peace be upon him, drank from the water of these wells. These wells are located to the northern edge of Bethlehem.
- Mar Saba Monastery This monastery was built by the Greek saint Saba in the year 482 AD. This monastery is very famous for preventing women from entering it. This is a prevailing tradition that has been preserved by the saints who maintain this monastery. This monastery is located eleven kilometers from Deir Ibn Ubaid, meaning In the area opposite the Kidron Valley.
Among the other churches located in the city of Bethlehem are the Church of Saint Nicholas and the Church of the Virgin. Bethlehem includes the Bilal Mosque, which was called Rachel’s Tomb, and Deir Bin Ubaid, which was named by this name in reference to the village of Al-Ubaidiya. Among the religious landmarks also is the Monastery of Saint Elias. And the Monastery of the Closed Paradise.
Read also:Where is Khorfakkan located?
