Restoration work has begun at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem for the first time in 600 years, in a move church leaders said was crucial for preserving the site where Christians believe Jesus was born.

The project was jointly announced by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land, with cooperation from the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate and under the auspices of the Presidency of the State of Palestine.

Speaking to Premier Christian News, Christian journalist Paul Calvert, who is based in Bethlehem, said the moment was significant because of the site’s central place in Christian history. He described Bethlehem as “the capital of Christianity” and said the Church of the Nativity was the oldest church in the Middle East.

Calvert explained that the church survived historic destruction because Persian invaders recognised a mosaic depicting figures dressed as the wise men. He added that the site was shared by Orthodox, Catholic and Armenian traditions, making the restoration important for Christians worldwide.

The work was entrusted to an Italian company from Prato, which previously restored the Basilica of the Nativity.

The project included repairs to the grotto’s rock, marble floors, columns and the fourteen-pointed star marking Jesus’ birthplace.

Calvert said local Christian workers would be employed, offering economic support to Bethlehem after years of conflict, COVID restrictions and a collapse in tourism.

He said: "The people here in Bethlehem have had two years of war. Bethlehem was built on tourism and no tourists came. So it's really, really important for the Christian community to be able to get involved in this project."

Calvert added that "Over the years, what we've seen is many, many of the Christian community leaving because they're fed up with war, fed up with the situation," so he hopes the restoration could help encourage Christians to remain in the city and renew hope during an ongoing period of uncertainty.