According to the Status Quo regulations of 1852, there are three Christian Communities who share the responsibility of caring for the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, namely: the Greek Orthodox, the Armenians and the Franciscans. In the past three months these three communities have demonstrated the ability to collaborate constructively had there not been the rigid norms of the past.
At the beginning of May 2008, we (Franciscans), in accordance with the Greek and Armenian superiors, have changed the three pictures that decorated the Grotto of the Nativity, hence substituting those that have been placed on the 20th of July 1885 (as had been inscribed on the frame). The frames that had been removed had been stained with scorch marks and wax while candles had blackened their look.
The three pictures portray the Birth of Jesus with the Visit of the Shepherds; the Adoration of the Magi; and the choir of Angels holding a scroll announcing the biblical Gloria in excelsis Deo- Pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis.
The frames had been made in Germany in the second half of the nineteenth century as reported by the School of the Nazarene. They have been made especially for the Grotto of the Nativity for they conform to the measures of the corresponding frames of the Grotto. They were also painted on a delicate sheet of iron, which was particularly chosen so as to avoid burning in case of accidental contact with the flames of the candles.
The painting of the Angels (206x36 cm) that is placed over the mantelpiece was made by Joseph Kehren in 1877. The other two are pieces by Carl Clasen, who died in 1886 and whose signature can be seen on the piece as well as, Düsseldorf, the town where they were painted. On the ledge itself, is placed the painting of the Nativity with the visit of the shepherds (91x57 cm); while the painting representing the Adoration of the Magi (122x55 cm) is placed on the alter where Holy Mass is celebrated.
Taking advantage of the occasion, the wooden structure that is holding the frame of the Angels was also changed.
The spirit of collaboration of the three communities was more evident when they were encouraged to continue and extend their work together and renew the electrical system. On Monday the 21st of July, the Greek Orthodox and the Armenians initiated a painstaking project to restore all electrical wires in the different parts of the Basilica respectively, while our project would be to take responsibility of renovating the electrical network in the Grotto.
In congratulation, we hope that this positive collaboration continues, and that the fraternal ecumenical dialogue would be extended to help us confront the larger problems of restoring the roof of the Basilica.
Fr. Jerzy Kraj ofm
Superior of the convent in Bethlehem
At the beginning of May 2008, we (Franciscans), in accordance with the Greek and Armenian superiors, have changed the three pictures that decorated the Grotto of the Nativity, hence substituting those that have been placed on the 20th of July 1885 (as had been inscribed on the frame). The frames that had been removed had been stained with scorch marks and wax while candles had blackened their look.
The three pictures portray the Birth of Jesus with the Visit of the Shepherds; the Adoration of the Magi; and the choir of Angels holding a scroll announcing the biblical Gloria in excelsis Deo- Pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis.
The frames had been made in Germany in the second half of the nineteenth century as reported by the School of the Nazarene. They have been made especially for the Grotto of the Nativity for they conform to the measures of the corresponding frames of the Grotto. They were also painted on a delicate sheet of iron, which was particularly chosen so as to avoid burning in case of accidental contact with the flames of the candles.
The painting of the Angels (206x36 cm) that is placed over the mantelpiece was made by Joseph Kehren in 1877. The other two are pieces by Carl Clasen, who died in 1886 and whose signature can be seen on the piece as well as, Düsseldorf, the town where they were painted. On the ledge itself, is placed the painting of the Nativity with the visit of the shepherds (91x57 cm); while the painting representing the Adoration of the Magi (122x55 cm) is placed on the alter where Holy Mass is celebrated.
Taking advantage of the occasion, the wooden structure that is holding the frame of the Angels was also changed.
The spirit of collaboration of the three communities was more evident when they were encouraged to continue and extend their work together and renew the electrical system. On Monday the 21st of July, the Greek Orthodox and the Armenians initiated a painstaking project to restore all electrical wires in the different parts of the Basilica respectively, while our project would be to take responsibility of renovating the electrical network in the Grotto.
In congratulation, we hope that this positive collaboration continues, and that the fraternal ecumenical dialogue would be extended to help us confront the larger problems of restoring the roof of the Basilica.
Fr. Jerzy Kraj ofm
Superior of the convent in Bethlehem