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The '''Church of the Nativity''' in Bethlehem is one of the oldest continuously operating [[church]]es in the world. The original structure was built by St. [[Macarius I of Jerusalem]] at the direction of [[Constantine the Great]] following the [[First Ecumenical Council]] in 325. That structure was burnt down in the Samaritan revolt of 529.
It is administered by a coalition of [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] clerics. Tradition records that the church was built over Jesus' birthplace, and it is held as sacred by both Christians and [[Islam|Muslims]].