In those days the feast of Epiphany used to commemorate both the birth of Jesus and his revelation as the Saviour of mankind. Today in Bethlehem the Franciscans take care of the Catholic Community and perform all their liturgies in St. Catherine's Church but they still share the space of the Nativity grotto with the Orthodox Clergy. The Franciscans hold a daily procession, at noon, from St. Catherine's to the Grotto of the Nativity and to the subterranean chapels. A short description The Population of Bethlehem today is made up of Christians and Moslems. Among the Christians we find Catholics of Latin, Syrian, Melchite, Armenian and Maronite rites and Orthodox of Greek, Syrian and Armenian denominations.
Protestants too are present in the Judean town.
A multitude of religious institutes are present in Bethlehem. All these are mainly involved in Charitable and Educational services ranging from schools to orphanages, from homes to hospitals.