Bethlehem is very close to Jerusalem...but worlds away.....
One goes through a security wall.... a little forbidding!
and then on to Manger Square.....
The Church of the Nativity there is shared by the Greek Orthodox church, the Armenian Church and the Catholic church.
Entering through a very low door.....
we were faced with a long queue of people lined up to go to the cave (stable) where Jesus was born.......apparently this could take up to 3 hours! We were not joining it!
..and we were intrigued to see that all was ready for a wedding......
....and indeed saw the bride and groom arrive......
Checking out the Catholic side our guide showed us that we were actually in the stable/cave area where Jesus was born....and showed the wall behind the alter that he said had been erected by the Greeks.....and they now have queues to access on that side!!
So we avoided a long queue.......but on this side all was calm!
One goes through a security wall.... a little forbidding!
and then on to Manger Square.....
The Church of the Nativity there is shared by the Greek Orthodox church, the Armenian Church and the Catholic church.
Entering through a very low door.....
we were faced with a long queue of people lined up to go to the cave (stable) where Jesus was born.......apparently this could take up to 3 hours! We were not joining it!
The painted columns have not changed since the time of the Crusades!!
The Greek main altar was very ornate.......
..and we were intrigued to see that all was ready for a wedding......
....and indeed saw the bride and groom arrive......
Checking out the Catholic side our guide showed us that we were actually in the stable/cave area where Jesus was born....and showed the wall behind the alter that he said had been erected by the Greeks.....and they now have queues to access on that side!!
So we avoided a long queue.......but on this side all was calm!
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