Manger Square
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Manger Square is an important city square in the center of Bethlehem. It takes its name from the manger where Jesus was born which, according to Christian dogma, is in the Church of the Nativity, possibly the oldest existing church in the world, which surrounds the square. Also around Manger Square is the Mosque of Omar (the city's only mosque) and the Palestinian Peace Center. Several Jesus-related streets dump into the Square: Star Street and Nativity Street.
In 1998-1999 the square was renovated to relieve the traffic congestion and currently is pedestrian only. It is mainly a meeting place or locals and for the town's many pilgrims. There are rows of Celtis Australis that provide shade to its people with benches and fountains made of white yellowish Naqab marble below.
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[edit] Christmas Celebrations
Manger Square is home to all of the Christmastime celebrations in Bethlehem, with a giant Christmas tree crowning the square. It is the traditional spot where locals and pilgrims sing Christmas carols before the midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Armenian Apostolic Church follow the Julian Calendar liturgically, whereas the Roman Catholic Church follows the modern Gregorian Calendar. Thus Christmas Eve services for the Eastern and Western confessions will be held on different days. The Roman Catholic Exarch will celebrate the Nativity on December 25th; the Orthodox Church will celebrate the Nativity on January 7.
[edit] Church of the Nativity Siege
In May 2002, during an Israel Defense Forces raid into the square, a number of locals (some of whom were armed) occupied the Church of the Nativity. It became the site of a 5-week stand-off. The number of people inside was estimated between 120 and 240. It was alleged by Palestinians that several Palestinians inside the church compound were shot dead by Israeli snipers during the siege. The siege ended with an agreement for 13 militants to be sent via Cyprus to various European counties and another 26 to be sent to Gaza. The rest were set free. The IDF stated that 40 explosive devices were found and removed from the compound after the standoff was concluded.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Gunmen exit Church of Nativity CBC, 10 May 2002
