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One of the few people inside the Basilica, Adel, introduced himself to Adam. After their brief conversation Adel showed me his official tourist guide credentials and explained that he would show us around free of charge since Adam was Iraqi.

Adel began our tour with a history lesson. “Queen Helena built this church along with the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Built in 329 the Basilica is the oldest continuously used church in the world. The Basilica was not destroyed with other Christian monuments during the 614 Persian invasions. It was spared because Persians recognized a mosaic pattern that displayed Persian Wise Men; they decided the monument must have been built to honor them…”I tuned Adel out once I saw the beautiful mosaic floor through the wooden trap doors that cover it.

Adel gave me time to stare at the floor before he led us to the entryway. He explained the small door acts as a barrier to Israeli military vehicles. This door, The Door of Humility, was constructed so intruders could not enter on horseback.