In the year 1227 the church was embellished with an elegantly carved wooden door, the remnants of which can still be seen in the narthex. As detailed in its double, Armenian and Arabic inscription, it was made by two Armenian monks, Father Abraham and Father Arakel, in the times of King Hethum I of Cilicia (1224-1269) and the Emir of Damascus, and Saladin's nephew, al-Mu'azzam Isa.Bacci, Michele (2017), The Mystic Cave. A History of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem , Rome-Brno, Viella, p. 209 In 1229 Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II signed an agreement with Sultan al-Kamil which led to the restitution of the Holy Places to the Crusaders. The property of the Nativity Church came back into the possession of the Latin clergy on the condition that Muslim pilgrims may be allowed to visit the holy cave.Bacci, Michele (2017), The Mystic Cave. A History of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem , Brno-Rome, Viella, p. 210 Latin hegemony probably lasted until the incursion of Khwarezmian Turks in April 1244. On that occasion, the church treasures, now preserved in the Terra Sancta Museum in Jerusalem, were concealed underground and rediscovered only in 1863. The church was devastated, but not destroyed, the major damage being the dilapidation of its roof.
in the year 1227 the church was embellished with an elegantly carved wooden door the remnants of which can still be seen in the narthex as detailed in its double armenian and arabic inscription it was made by two armenian monks father abraham and father arakel in the times of king hethum i of cilicia (1224-1269) and the emir of damascus and saladin's nephew al-mu'azzam isabacci michele (2017) the mystic cave a history of the nativity church in bethlehem  rome-brno viella p 209 in 1229 holy roman emperor frederick ii signed an agreement with sultan al-kamil which led to the restitution of the holy places to the crusaders the property of the nativity church came back into the possession of the latin clergy on the condition that muslim pilgrims may be allowed to visit the holy cavebacci michele (2017) the mystic cave a history of the nativity church in bethlehem  brno-rome viella p 210 latin hegemony probably lasted until the incursion of khwarezmian turks in april 1244 on that occasion the church treasures now preserved in the terra sancta museum in jerusalem were concealed underground and rediscovered only in 1863 the church was devastated but not destroyed the major damage being the dilapidation of its roof