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The Bethlehem District
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| Grotto of the Nativity - Bethlehem |
The
Bethlehem area is home to one of the few remaining Christian populations in the Holy Land. This ancient Christian community
traces its roots to the time of Christ. It is from this area that Christianity spread throughout the world, yet today
the Christian population in the Holy Land is dwindling.
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| Relief of St George, Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem |
Saint George, patron saint
of the Palestinian Christians, is seen on many homes and buildings.
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| Jerusalem - St Mary Magdalene |
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Taybeh, the biblical village of Ephraim,
is the last entirely Christian village in the West Bank. Due to very high unemployment and severe travel restrictions
the village population has dropped from 3,500 to a new low of 1,300.
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| The beautiful Shepherd's Field Greek Orthodox Church, Beit Sahour |
The Christian Artisans
The area around Bethlehem has been
known for centuries for its distinguished carvers of olive wood and mother-of-pearl. It is an art handed down from father
to son. For many years the Christian community made a very respectable living selling their carvings to the vast numbers
of tourists and pilgrims who flocked to the Holy Land. Today the situation is dramatically different. The Palestinian
economy is struggling and due to the political situation there are far fewer tourists to buy the beautiful carvings produced
by local Christian families.
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| St James Church Armenian Quarter Jerusalem |
* Original Music by Usama Al Lati a 22 year
old Lutheran Christian from Beit Sahour.
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