Ziad al-Bandak, chairman of the committee overseeing the renovation, told the P.A.'s semi-official Ma'an news agency, the icon, made of brass, silver, shells and stones, was found under plaster about two months ago near a window in the church.

Millions of Christians from around the world visit the church, built over the cave or grotto where many believe Jesus was born.

It was originally built in the fourth century by the Emperor Constantine and his mother, Helena, and rebuilt 200 years later after it was destroyed by fire. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

The basilica was in poor condition after centuries of neglect, including a leaky roof that threatened to damage the artifacts inside.

About three years ago, the Palestinian Authority led an initiative to finance a restoration project, which it said will cost about $20 million.

Once a primarily Christian town, Bethlehem is now a Muslim-dominated city in a P.A. controlled area, but they still claim the church as part of their national heritage.

UNESCO named it as the first world heritage site in what it referred to as "Palestine."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Artemis II Mission Pilot: 'We Need Jesus; Whether Here on Earth or Orbiting the Moon'

Democrat Lawmaker Steps Down, Says Faith No Longer Aligns with Left's Agenda

Trump Administration Charges 9 in Massive Massachusetts Fraud Scheme

ICE Finally Detains Notorious Hamas Fundraiser Salah Sarsour; Decades of Terror Ties Exposed as AMP Leader Faces Deportation

Johnson, Thune Hatch Plan to Fund DHS and Launch a Second Reconciliation Push to End the Dem's Shutdown

Pentagon Briefed Trump on Plan to Seize Uranium from Hands of Iranian Terrorist Regime

President Trump Reassures Americans: Iran Operation Won't Be a Forever War

Pam Bondi OUT as Attorney General

Countdown for Historic Space Mission Artemis II Begins

Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Halt Construction on Privately Funded White House Ballroom; Trump Responds

Trump Rolls Out a Plan to Back Farmers amid Rising Costs, Pledging 'Golden Age'

Trump's Election Executive Order is Causing a Meltdown among Liberals

Another Illegal Alien Charged With Murder in Democrat Run Fairfax County, Virginia

US Forces Reach 12,000 Combat Flights, Debunk Fake News About Iran Operation

President Trump Addresses Nation Tonight, Signals End in Sight for Iran Conflict

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Birthright Citizenship, as the CCP Exploits It to Sway US Elections

ICYMI: Iranian People March in DC in Support of Op Epic Fury and Trump; 'We Will Reclaim Our Country'

Trump's FDA Indicates Move Away from Testing on Dogs, Bunnies, Chimpanzees

Chicago Bulls Dump Player after His Criticism of Pride Month

Finally Confirmed: Michigan Synagogue Car Ramming Was 'Hezbollah-Inspired' Terror Attack