Holy Door of Bethlehem
The St. Catherine Church in Bethlehem bronze door represents the artist’s emotional feelings displayed by the symbolic representation of Christ’s genealogy. It is a work that, in extreme synthesis, intends to represent two thousand years of Christian history. In the center it’s displayed the Nativity, symbol of salvation, placed on a symbolic world, and the star that illuminates the entire artwork, representing the light that, two thousand years ago, drove to the shepherds towards Jesus. Today the same light drive the faithful people towards salvation. In the background, above, the Annunciation and the Dream of Joseph are represented; faith is the main element for a true Christian. Below, the Wise Men’s Adoration and the visit of John Paul II to Bethlehem, represent the first and last important witness to the son of God. The bronze door is 2,70 meters tall, 1,40 meters wide and weighs 12 quintals. It has been completed in one year, with the wax casting technique, and it’s full of details, in line with the meticulous tradition of the goldsmith's art; it was given to the Franciscan Friars custodian of the Holy Land places, and placed in Bethlehem at Nativity cave entrance. On 10 October 2001 the door received the blessing of St. John Paul II, and this gave "a further message of peace for the land of Palestine". On 2003, during the Christmas night, it was inaugurated by the Patriarch of Jerusalem with a solemn ceremony.
