The star of Bethlehem will appear in the sky. star of bethlehem

In this article, we will talk about what the Star of Bethlehem is and what it looks like. This is one of the many phenomena that Christians do not question, and scientists have been trying to prove it or disprove it scientifically for many years.

What is the Star of Bethlehem?

Let's start with history. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the three wise men, seeing in the sky a new bright star in the east (or, more precisely, at sunrise), went towards it to bow to Jesus Christ. From ancient legends they knew that such a star would lead them to the King of the Jews. The Magi came to Jerusalem, but did not find the Savior there and, on the advice of King Herod, went to Bethlehem, where the star stopped right above the house of the Holy Family. After bowing to Jesus and bringing him gifts - gold, frankincense and myrrh, they set off on their way back to their homeland to preach the birth of the Savior there. Until now, these three wise men are revered as saints, and their relics are located in Cologne.

Was there a star?

Criticizing Holy Bible, some have argued that there was no star, and this is just a later insertion into the original text, designed to decorate it and make it more solemn.

However, it has already been proven that the events described in the texts by the evangelists practically do not contradict the real ones. historical events. Therefore, it can be assumed that in fact at that time there really was some kind of cosmic body in the sky. In addition, the style of presentation indicates that the authors told about events exactly as they happened, without inventing additional elements story, otherwise the gospels would look different in terms of sequence. For believers, the angel leading the Magi would probably look more natural and logical than some kind of star. Why include it in the text, if in fact it did not exist?

Parade of planets

One of the most likely explanations for this phenomenon is given by astronomers - most likely, it was the so-called parade of planets, when the Earth, Sun, Jupiter and Saturn lined up in one line. It must have looked amazing, and it is not surprising that mystical significance was attributed to such a phenomenon.

It is worth saying that the three Magi, heading to the Savior, were scientists, mathematicians, astronomers of their time, revered in society. Therefore, studying the planets and stars was their profession.

bright comet

Another version of the origin of the Star of Bethlehem says that it was a comet. Judging by the time of the gospel events, it was most likely a comet from the constellation Capricorn that appeared in the 5th century BC and was described in detail by astronomers from China. However, at that time, such cosmic bodies were considered mainly a bad omen, so it is not at all a fact that the appearance of that comet could be interpreted as a blessed sign of the appearance of the Savior.

However, there is another option proposed by modern astronomers. It was this phenomenon that three wise men could see: bright Star appeared in the 4th century BC in and, it seems, was located just above Jerusalem. Here is a photo of the Star of Bethlehem.

a red star

It is worth saying that now this name means other, non-astronomical objects. For example, there is a star of Bethlehem flower - this is the well-known poinsettia, which many people buy before Christmas (and sometimes before the New Year). It blooms not too beautiful small yellow flowers, but pleases the eye with leaves - red, green, white, sharply contrasting with each other and creating a festive impression. Its leaves have eight ends, and this is an additional association with a star. Poinsettia is a home plant, beautiful and unpretentious, so it can often be found in European houses, in Russia it has not yet received wide distribution.

This flower was originally revered by the Aztecs. After its appearance in Europe around the sixteenth century, a legend arose associated with the celebration of Christmas. According to her, children from poor families really wanted to decorate the temple for the holiday, but they had no money at all for decorations. Therefore, they broke several branches from the bushes that grew along the road and brought them to the church, sincerely believing that even with such an offering they would bring much joy to the Lord. And when they brought their bouquets into the temple, they were transformed and covered with red and green, star-like leaves. This was the poinsettia.

What does a star look like

Most often, the Star of Bethlehem is depicted as eight-pointed. As a piece of jewelry, such as a pendant, they try not to wear it, because it is considered blasphemous. However, images of the Star of Bethlehem still exist: for example, a silver star is depicted on the floor of a well in a cave where, according to one version, Jesus Christ was born. This place is also called the Holy Nativity. Legend has it that the Star of Bethlehem fell right there after it led the Magi to the Divine Infant. Christians often claim that if you carefully look into the depths of a well lined with silver plates from the inside, you can see the flickering of a celestial body located deep at the bottom. Above the place where, according to this legend, the star is now located, in the eighteenth century, the monks of the Order of St. Francis of Assisi built a church.

By the way, it was such a star, and not crosses, as it is now, that was installed on top of the domes of the very first Orthodox churches.

Often used in Christian holidays, such a Christmas tree decoration is especially widespread. In Russia, the tradition was changed, and the star became five-pointed. But after the collapse Soviet Union she again had eight ends, and now both traditions exist on an equal footing. However, on the main Christmas tree of Russia in the Kremlin there is an authentic star.

Orthodox shops sometimes offer the symbol of the Star of Bethlehem, most often in the form of a gold or silver pendant, costing from three to four thousand rubles. Similar gizmos can now be found in esoteric shops - they offer a variety of jewelry from the most various metals most often inexpensive. Of course, it is a rather controversial issue whether people have the right to wear and make such jewelry. Even the opinions of the priests on this matter differ radically: for example, some believe that in fact the Star of Bethlehem was lit at one time by Satan in order to lead King Herod to the Divine Infant. Therefore, they do not approve of the symbol of the star itself. Some Orthodox priests consider the eight-pointed star a sign of belonging to Islam. The priests are more unanimous in relation to the five-pointed star, the pentagram, which is considered by representatives of the church to be a sign of involvement with the worshipers of Satan. The star of David with six ends is a clear symbol of Judaism, although the followers of this religion wear it very infrequently.

The Star of Bethlehem is often used as part of other christian symbols- for example, in the center of the crosses. Often, precious or semi-precious stones are placed in the center of the star.

On almost all icons dedicated to the Mother of God, you can also find the sign of a star. Since the Mother of God is considered the patron saint of Russia, the Star of Bethlehem is sometimes called Russian. The symbol itself could also mean Heavenly Jerusalem, paradise, fortitude in life situations or something unearthly, sublime. The star is also associated with the so-called Eighth Day of Creation. It is believed that after the Fall, the Seventh Day continues to this day, after which the Apocalypse will come, and after the Second Coming, all the saved are expected immortal life, eternal Eighth day. Thus, the star has another very important meaning - it symbolizes eternity.

DIY star of Bethlehem

Many children enjoy making their own Christmas tree decorations, and among other decorations, you can make a Christmas star. Sometimes it is hung on a window or on the very top of a festive tree. How to make a star of Bethlehem with your own hands? Best of all - from shiny paper, voluminous using the origami technique or cut it out of silver isolon.

Russian awards

Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, which was the highest state award in pre-revolutionary Russia, basically had an eight-pointed star.

And in modern Russia the "Star of Bethlehem" award was established, on the gold medal of which the corresponding symbol is imprinted, and sometimes an angel is depicted on it. This is the sign of the Academy of Literature.

Other meaning

Of course, the main sphere of existence of this sign is Christianity, however, the esotericism so popular today also uses the Star of Bethlehem.

The meaning of this symbol in magic is the image of the law of karma of a whole family. It is believed that the seven generations that lived on Earth before birth on it specific person, will influence him, and he, in turn, will influence seven subsequent generations with his thoughts and actions. This theory exists because between Jesus Christ and his ancestor, the Jewish king David, fourteen generations were born. Many pendants in the form of a star are created under the influence of this particular esoteric direction.

Interested in this issue, I looked through my photographs taken in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in October 2014 - as I remember, six-pointed stars also came across in the temple itself:

And octagonal:

The socket in the marble slab covering the floor of the Nativity crib above the place where, according to legend, the baby Christ was born, had 14 rays at all.
My photograph of this outlet is essentially a technical marriage - not hoping for a result, I clicked the button of the camera hanging on my belly, when, crouching down, I looked under the canopy covering this sacred place for Christians, but it turned out to be very symbolic - I, an atheist, was shown the power of stirring at the low light of this holy place - and therefore the hand did not rise to remove this masterpiece;):

Website www.pro-israel.ru writes about this rosette, identified by many with the Star of Bethlehem, the following:

In the fourth century AD, the Church of the Nativity of Christ was built over the Cave - one of the most ancient Temples in Israel. In 1717, the silver Star of Bethlehem was installed in the Cave of the Nativity by Franciscan monks of the Catholic order.

The Silver Star of Bethlehem, installed in the Cave, has 14 rays, symbolizing the 14 stops of the Way of the Cross of Jesus in Jerusalem - Via Dolorosa(lat. Via Dolorosa , lit. "Path of Sorrow").

The Latin inscription "Hic de Virginia Marie Jesus Cristos natus est - 1717" translates as "Here the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ" and indicates the year the Franciscans installed the silver star. In 1847, the Turks stole the silver Star of Bethlehem.

Later, the Turkish Sultan presented the monks with a newly made Star.

How much the newly made star corresponded to the original one in terms of the number of rays, weight and price - one can only guess.

If we assume that the Star of Bethlehem as an event was a real-life astronomical phenomenon - for example, the explosion of the New or Supernova stars, the radiance of which is so powerful that it can be seen even during the day (or, as the Scripture says, "at sunrise"), then in this case we say it is meaningless about the number of rays of a real star - even in the case of refraction in the atmosphere and the appearance of a halo of rays, there could be 2, maximum - 4.

5, 6, 8 or more rays in the halo around bright objects, familiar to many from photographs, are nothing more than an optical scattering effect in the optical system of the camera and / or light filters, and during non-instrumental observation with the naked eye (and what optical instruments could we talk about at the end I in BC?) so many rays are not really observed.

If the Bethlehem star was a comet, which sometimes has several tails, then there is no question of 6, 8 or 14 tails, and even centrally symmetrically located.

Thus, the number of rays on the images of the Bethlehem star is a variable number, depending only on the whim of the artist depicting it and the symbolism professed by the latter;).

However, the fact that the number of rays of the star varied can be judged by the remains of the mosaic floor left from the first Church of the Nativity, built in the 4th century - here we see an ornament with 4 or 8, as it seems to you, rays:

I cannot fail to note also an interesting optical effect that occurs when you look at the cross on one of the chapels of the Church of the Nativity - from certain angles it seems that this is a six-pointed star:

Although in fact on the dome there are two crosses forged from wire, located in perpendicular planes:

For the first time, I saw such an unusual design of the cross on the creation of Antonio Gaudi in Guell Park in Barcelona - as it turned out later, the idea of ​​​​such a cross did not belong to Gaudi completely, but was an allusion to the cross of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem:

However, the Bethlehem temple will delight researchers of symbolism even with five-pointed stars:

What is the conclusion from all that has been said?

Elementary - there is no single canon for the image of the Star of Bethlehem, and every star on Christian churches may well be a reference to the star of Bethlehem, whether it is about 4, 6, 7, 8 or 14 rays.

Star of Bethlehem - what is it? What does it have to do with the Sacrament of the Nativity of Christ? You can find out about all this when you read our article!

"I am the root and offspring of David,
bright and morning star.
(Rev. 22:16)

AT christmas eve we are looking forward to when it lights up - the first, brightest star, a prototype of the miraculous phenomenon described by the Evangelist Matthew. And the tradition of decorating the top of the Christmas tree with a star did not begin at all with the Soviet-style Spasskaya Tower, but with the same Star of Bethlehem.

This phenomenon remains a mystery to astronomers, for many hundreds of years there have been disputes about its origin and nature, and a variety of hypotheses, both natural and theological, have been expressed. She was prophesied by Balaam (“I see Him, but now not yet, I see Him, but not close. A star rises from Jacob, and a rod rises from Israel” - Numbers 24:17) and Isaiah (“Arise, shine, Jerusalem, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen over you... And nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness that rises above you” – Isaiah 60:1-3). The Question of Essence christmas star and the time of its appearance is connected with the determination of the year of the birth of the Savior. (Proposed to keep the account "from Christmas» Roman monk Dionysius the Lesser in 525. on the basis of the facts that John begins to baptize "in the fifteenth year of the reign of the emperor Tiberius" (Luke 3:1), and he reigned from 14 to 37 years. AD, and by the time of baptism Jesus Christ was “thirty years old” (Luke 3:23). However, if we attribute the birth of the Savior to 1g. AD, there are contradictions with other gospel indications: after all, it was “in the days of Herod, king of the Jews” (Luke 1:5, Matt. 2:1), and Herod died in 4g. BC.)

Was it a conjunction of planets? For the first time, such an idea arose from the Roman theologian Tertullian (II-III centuries). In the 17th century, it was proved by the famous German astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), in 1604 he observed the approach of Mars, Saturn and Jupiter, as a result of which a new bright star arose, the light of which was visible even during the day, calculations showed that at the end 7 - early 6g. BC, Jupiter conjunct Saturn three times in the sign of Pisces. The coincident planets themselves could appear as one bright star. Interestingly, Jupiter is considered the “royal star”, and Saturn is considered the Jewish one, while the fish symbolizes Christ (the name “Christ” in abbreviation is similar to the Greek word “fish”). Therefore, the Magi could interpret the combination of these planets as a sign of the birth of the King of the Jews.

Or maybe it was a new extraordinarily bright star? This version was held by the Holy Martyr Ignatius the God-bearer († beginning of the 2nd century), the scientific justification was given by the Italian mathematician and astronomer Geronimo Cardano (1501-1576), according to his calculations, it caught fire in the constellation Cassiopeia, its flashes are repeated about once every three hundred years , and one of them was observed at the beginning of our era. In 1977 British scientists D. Clark, J. Parkinson and F. Stephenson analyzed the Chinese and Korean astronomical chronicles for the period from 10 BC to 10 BC. BC. by 13 y.o. AD and compared the Star of Bethlehem with that observed for 70 days in 5AD. BC. a nova that flared up near Beta Capricornus.

Could the Star of Bethlehem be a comet? For the first time this idea arose from the Greek philosopher and church leader Origen (III century): “She was from the kind of those stars,” he writes in his essay “Against Celsus,” “which are shown temporarily and are called comets. (...) It is usually observed that with the onset of great events and extraordinary changes, stars of this kind appear on the earth. Scientific justification for the first time expresses in 1907. German astronomer A. Shtenzel, then it is developed by our scientist A.I. Reznikov in an atheistic article “Halley's Comet: Demystification of the Christmas Legend (1986): “According to ancient Chinese chronicles, in August-October 12. BC. it was possible to observe Halley's comet from Earth... in early September, the comet entered the constellation Leo and approached the star Melech, or Regulus, the "little king"... The Leo constellation was associated with the names of Judah and his tribe (Gen. 49:9, Rev. 5 :5). The image of this constellation was on the banners of the Jews. Therefore, the appearance new star in the constellation Leo near Regulus, astronomers of that time could be regarded as a sign of the birth of the new King of the Jews.

However, all the theories outlined have their drawbacks: you can follow an ordinary star, observing it with the naked eye, for as long as you like, since, in fact, it stands still, always remaining far away, another thing is that in a certain part the globe it can be better seen, seem brighter, but how could it point from a great height to a specific city, moreover, a small cave where the Baby lay? In addition, the gospel star walked when the Magi walked, at their speed, and stopped with them. Experienced astronomers could hardly take Jupiter and Saturn for one star, especially since, according to modern English scientists, the distance between them was several diameters of the Moon, therefore, no special light was visible from the earth. If it was a comet or an extraordinarily bright star, how can one explain why no one in Jerusalem noticed it? In addition, Halley's Comet was visible in 12AD. BC, and the census indicated in Luke 2:1,2, by decree of Emperor Augustus, was carried out in 6-7 years. AD during the reign of Quirinius in Syria. In addition, if we refer the Baptism of the Savior to 29g. AD (see the beginning), Jesus Christ would not have been about thirty years old, but 42. And, finally, was it worth the Magi to make a huge and incredibly dangerous path after the usual celestial phenomenon? “In the hope of what rewards from such a distant country do they go to bow to the King? If they had thought that He would be their King, then there would not have been sufficient reason for them to go. If He had still been born in the royal chambers, if His father had been a king and was with Him, then one could say that by worshiping the born Infant they wanted to please the father, and thereby earn his favor. But now they know that the newborn will be the King not of them, but of another people, in a country remote from them; they know that He is not yet at the perfect age: why do they undertake such a journey, and bring gifts, moreover, being exposed to great dangers in this matter? (...) And what signs of kingship did they find when they saw a hut, a manger, a baby in swaddling clothes, and a poor mother? To whom did they give gifts? And for what? Was it established and accepted as a custom to show respect in this way to every king who is born? Did they go around the whole universe and about whom they learned that he would become a king from a low and poor state, they bowed to him before ascending to the royal throne? - writes St. John Chrysostom (see his "Commentary on St. Matthew the Evangelist", conversations VI-VIII).

With his opinion, we will begin a short review of the reflections of the holy fathers and theologians on the mysterious star. According to St. John Chrysostom, the Star of Bethlehem is not an ordinary celestial body, but an invisible rational force that has taken the form of a star: “how would a star indicate such a cramped place of a manger and a hut, if it had not left the height, had not descended, and did not become over the very head Baby? (...) So, what prompted them and made them leave the house and decide on such a long journey? The star and the divine illumination of their thoughts, which gradually elevated them to the most perfect knowledge ... For feelings there was nothing great there ... so that you can openly see from here the wisdom of the Magi, and know that they did not proceed as to common man but as to God and benefactor.

Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria (second half of the 11th - early 12th century) directly calls the miraculous star "divine and angelic power."

Saint Basil the Great in "Word on Nativity"says:" None of the already existing stars could designate this regal Christmas. It was an unusual star. In fact, those [stars] that were created from the beginning are either completely motionless or constantly moving. And this one appeared, it seems, possessed these two features at the same time. (…) One cannot agree with those who examine the circumstances with excessive curiosity Christmas and states that this star was like the comets which are commonly believed to appear in the sky just to indicate the change of kings. For they are for the most part immobile, representing a fire enclosed in some particular place,” but that star disappeared from sight in Jerusalem, and on the way to Bethlehem it lit up again, “it obeyed someone [orders], served someone then she appeared for the sake of someone, ”says St. Basil.

Indeed, could an ordinary star act so wisely - to disappear upon the arrival of the Magi in Jerusalem? As St. Ephraim the Syrian explains in his Commentary on the Four Gospels, “To embarrass Israel, God hid the star from the magi, so that when they came to Jerusalem, the scribes would interpret to them about His birth and thus they would receive true testimony from the prophets, and from the priests. St. Ephraim likens her to the Savior: “The star, under the guidance of which the Magi made their way, was, of course, visible to them, but her body was hidden: in this capacity she was like Christ, whose light shone, of course, on all people, but the paths of the procession are hidden were from all people. He also draws a parallel with the case that happened with Hezekiah (Jewish king, 727-698 BC), when, in confirmation of the healing from a fatal illness, the Lord gave a sign through the prophet Isaiah - the sun went back, and the shadow returned ten steps ( 2 Kings 20:8-11, Isaiah 38:2-8): “A star appeared because the prophets ceased. There was a star, in order to show who was the One to whom the broadcasting of vices rushed. For as for the sake of Hezekiah the sun went to the east, so for the sake of the Child who was in the manger, the star went from the east to the west. (...) At a joyful birth, a joyful star appeared, and at a time of mournful death, sad darkness appeared. And just as Hezekiah was freed from visible death by a sign, so the magicians were freed from hidden death by a sign.

Even assuming that the Star of Bethlehem was an ordinary celestial body she could move miraculously, contrary to natural laws by the will of the Lord, because even through the prayer of Joshua, God stopped the sun and moon during the battle of the Israelites for Gibeon (Josh. 10:12-14), seal” (Job 9:7).

As you know, a miracle requires not so much rational scientific evidence as sincere faith. “Go with the star,” St. Gregory the Theologian calls on us, “bring with the Magi gifts - gold, and Lebanon, and myrrh - as a King, as God, and as one who died for you. Glorify with the shepherds, rejoice with the Angels, sing with the Archangels, so that there will be a common triumph of the heavenly and earthly Forces ”(“ The Word on Theophany, or on Nativity of the Savior»).

The land of Israel is filled and saturated with religiosity and faith (accepting as an axiom that God is one, and only people call Him different names), because it is here that three world religions take their origins in order to fill human souls with hope with harmony and light. It was here, 8 kilometers south of Jerusalem, more than 2000 years ago, over Bethlehem, a mysterious phenomenon appeared in the sky, which after (and to this day) will be called the Star of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem - aka Beit Lehem (in Hebrew "House of Bread") or Bet Lahm (translated from Arabic "House of Meat") - is not a big town, even by Israeli standards. Currently, it is more of a suburb of Jerusalem than an independent city. Sacred Scripture mentions Bethlehem as "the house of David" - the place of his election and anointing to reign. The action of the Book of Ruth also takes place in Bethlehem and its environs.

A thousand years after the reign of David, over the pasture and heralded the birth of Jesus, the Star of Bethlehem. In accordance with the Christian religion, the Magi, seeing a star in the east (in a more accurate translation, “at sunrise”) learned that a Baby was born, who was destined to become the King of the Jews.

About the coming of the King and the Savior, there are prophecies in almost all books Old Testament, intersecting with the Jewish Torah (Actually, the whole significant difference between these two religions lies in the fact that Christians accept Jesus as the Savior, and the Jews continue to wait for the Savior) and, having seen the sign of the birth of the Infant, the wise men, who can read the signs, went to bow to Him . The gifts brought to the Infant were intended to test who He was born to be. If the born Jesus took myrrh, he would be recognized as a healer, incense is God, gold is the King. But Jesus accepted all the gifts, because he was God, the King and healed the sick both souls and bodies.

In the Cave of the Nativity, there is a hole in the well where the Star, leading the Magi, fell. It is believed that if you look into the depths of the well for a very long time, you can see the twinkling of the Star of Bethlehem. In the fourth century AD, the Temple of the Nativity of Christ was built over the Cave - one of the most ancient Temples in Israel. In 1717, the silver Star of Bethlehem was installed in the Cave of the Nativity by Franciscan monks of the Catholic order.

The Silver Star of Bethlehem, installed in the Cave, has 14 rays, symbolizing the 14 stops of the Way of the Cross of Jesus in Jerusalem - Via Doloros. The inscription in Latin "Hic de Virginia Marie Jesus Cristos natus est - 1717" translates as: "Here the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ" and indicates the year the Franciscans installed the silver star. In 1847, the Turks stole the silver Star of Bethlehem.

Later, the Turkish Sultan presented the monks with a newly made Star. Icons hang around the Star of Bethlehem and lamps burn: 5 from Armenian, 4 from Catholic and 6 from Greek Christian churches, only 15 pieces.

And let some now argue about the very fact of the existence of the Star of Bethlehem, about its meaning, they are trying to explain this phenomenon from the point of view of physics, astronomy and astrology, for a colossal number of people on Earth, the Star of Bethlehem is a symbol of hope for salvation, faith in God's Love and better life. And stretch in an endless stream small city ok tourists and pilgrims from all over the world and ends of the country. From south to north, staying in Netanya and spending time in Eilat, coming from Tel Aviv and making a long journey by bus, leaving the fun ones from the very south of the country.

They come to a small city with great significance, a city trying not to delve into the current turmoil of the townspeople, for whom everyday life in Bethlehem is life on the “island” of the Palestinian archipelago, one of the many islands into which the Palestinian territories of Israel are divided.

Residents of the city - Muslims and Christians (mostly of Arab origin) leave the city and return back with passes.

They come to visit the Church of the Nativity of Christ, bow to the Manger in the Cave where the Son of God was born, touch the shrine of souls and hands. To feel a completely different atmosphere (93% of those who visit the Church of the Nativity note special sensations from being inside) of holiness, warmth and light. They come, trying to take with them a piece of the holiness of the Star of Bethlehem in the photo, shooting the Star of Bethlehem on video.

For most, this trip will not be an ordinary excursion, after which they go to a cafe or to eat, relax and have a good time. After visiting Bethlehem, it is likely that you will want peace and quiet, time and opportunity to be alone with yourself, your soul, hear and feel what everyday life and fuss so diligently drowns out. In this awakening thirst for silence and awareness lies a special, subtle desire of the soul, the inner essence, for harmony with God and the World. These possible spiritual aspirations should be taken into account, and not planned for the evening, after a trip to Bethlehem, any entertainment events.

Let the time dedicated to the Star of Bethlehem be devoted to Her to the end, and Her light, flickering at the bottom of the well, will shine and illuminate the human soul and life.

The Star of Bethlehem is first mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew. It says that the appearance of a new bright star in the vault of heaven informed the magi about the birth of the new King of the Jews. It was she who brought them to Bethlehem to the home of the Holy Family and the cradle of the newborn Christ.

The Story of the Magi and the Star of Bethlehem

At the end of the 1st century BC. in Palestine, which is under the dominion of Rome, a legend has spread about the imminent birth of a new King of the Jews, who will become the Savior of the World and free the people from the oppression of the Greco-Romans. The Jews, suffering under the cruel ruler Herod the Great, looked forward to the signs.

And when a bright star lit up at sunrise, the three Magi went after it to bow to the new King. The star led the travelers to the city of Bethlehem, where it stopped over the house with the cradle of Christ, giving a sign that this was the purpose of their journey. Bringing gifts, the wanderers returned to their homeland and continued to carry the news of the birth of the Savior.

Star of Bethlehem in modern Christianity

Today, in the city of Bethlehem, in the Cave of the Nativity there is a well, where, according to legend, the Star of Bethlehem fell after it completed its mission. There is a belief that if you peer into the darkness of the well for a long time, you can see the reflection of a fallen star.

In the IV century. AD The Church of the Nativity of Christ was built over the cave. The temple is one of the most ancient in Israel. Later, in 1717, the monks installed the silver Star of Bethlehem in the Cave of the Nativity.

The Silver Star of Bethlehem is made in the form of 14 rays - the stop of the Way of the Cross of Jesus. The inscription on it reads: "Here the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ - 1717." The number indicates the year in which the monks set the star.

However, in the 19th century, the Turks stole the star and it was never found. Subsequently, the Turkish Sultan presented the Temple with a newly made Star.

Since then, to this day, the flow of pilgrims to the Church of the Nativity has not stopped, over which a bright guiding star burned 2000 years ago.

Scientific explanation of the Star of Bethlehem

Such a significant phenomenon as the birth of Jesus and all the events associated with it could not fail to attract the attention of various researchers. They tried and are trying to find scientific evidence based on modern knowledge in the field of astronomy, geography, physics and other exact sciences.

It is known that the Gospel of Matthew is one of the earliest biographies of Christ. And therefore - one of the most accurate and trustworthy. The Magi and King Herod are real historical figures. Then the Star of Bethlehem is a real phenomenon, existed at the time of the birth of Jesus.

Here are some of the hypotheses of its origin:

• meteorites;
• comet;
• the birth of a new star;
• observed parade of planets;
• ball lightning;
• UFO.

Each of the theories has its supporters and opponents. It must be understood that attempts to explain a phenomenon that occurred 2000 years ago will hardly lead to any exact answer. Fans of the inexplicable will always have 2-3 options to choose from.

Comet

According to astronomers, in 12 BC. Halley's Comet flew by from the Earth not far from the Earth. She was visible for sixty days. It looked like an arrow hanging above the horizon, turned with the tip up. Theoretically, she could act as the Star of Bethlehem. But already at that time, astronomers knew how to distinguish comets from ordinary stars and considered them bad harbingers. Most often, numerous troubles were associated with them: pestilence, drought, disease.

The birth of a new or supernova

Around 5 BC. Chinese astronomers observed a phenomenon similar to the birth of a new star. For 70 days, a bright star burned motionless in the sky, pointing to the house of Mary and her baby.

Despite the difficulty of detecting traces of the birth of a new star later long time, in 2005, astronomers managed to detect the remnants of a supernova explosion in the Andromeda galaxy, which is located at a distance of 2.5 million light years from Earth.

Parade of planets

The famous astronomer Johannes Kepler put forward the theory that the phenomenon of the “Star of Bethlehem” is nothing more than a conjunction of the planets Saturn and Jupiter, which occurred in 7 BC. And soon after that, in the period from 2 to 3 BC, several more connections occurred space bodies. This time, Regulus and Jupiter lined up close to each other, and then Venus and Jupiter.

However, whether the parade of planets was the star of Bethlehem, astronomers do not give a convincing answer. The brightness and position in the sky of these phenomena do not correspond well to the descriptions from the Gospel.

In spite of a large number of theories about the origin of the Star of Bethlehem, none of them has become generally recognized as true.

For Christians around the world, the Star of Bethlehem remains a symbol of miracle and the birth of new hope.