BETHLEHEM: Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born, reopened on Tuesday more than two months after closing in the face of the coronavirus.

A handful of priests from different Christian denominations stood watch as the door to the church in the West Bank was opened, a photographer reported.

Once inside, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, Bishop Theophylactos, kissed an icon while a priest sprayed holy water in the grotto of the church, where the faithful believe Christ was born in a manger.

“The opening of the church today gives hope to the world that this pandemic will end,” Rula Maaya, Palestinian Tourism Minister, said.

“We hope that the church will keep on welcoming millions of worshippers”, as they did before coronavirus, she added.

The church had been closed since March 5 when an outbreak of Covid-19 was detected in Bethlehem. Initially, only 50 people are allowed in the church at one time and visitors must wear face coverings and observe social distancing, a joint statement by the churches that control the site said.

Kissing or touching the stones, including in the grotto, will be forbidden.

Small numbers of worshippers entered the church after it opened to pray and light candles, many wearing facemasks.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2020