JERUSALEM (AP) — After 800 years of silence, a pipe organ that researchers say is the oldest in the Christian world roared back to life on Tuesday, its ancient sound echoing through a monastery in Jerusalem’s Old City. Composed of original pipes from the 11th century, the instrument emitted a full, hearty sound as musician David Catalunya played a liturgical chant called Benedicamus Domino Flos Filius. The swell of music inside Saint Saviour’s Monastery mingled with church bells tolling in the distance. Before unveiling the instrument Monday, Catalunya told a news conference that attendees were witnessing a grand development in the history of music. “This organ was buried with the hope that one day it would play again,” he said. “And the day has arrived, nearly eight centuries later.” From now on, the organ will be housed at the Terra Sancta museum in Jerusalem’s Old City — just kilometers (miles) from the Bethlehem church where it originally sounded. Researchers believe that the Crusaders brought the organ to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, in the 11th century during their period of rule over Jerusalem. After a century of use, the Crusaders buried it to protect it from invading Muslim armies. There it stayed until 1906, when workers building a new Franciscan hospice for pilgrims in Bethlehem discovered it in an ancient cemetery. Once full excavations were conducted, archaeologists uncovered 222 bronze pipes, bells, and other objects hidden by the Crusaders. “It was extremely moving to hear how some of these pipes came to life again after about 700 years under the earth and 800 years of silence,” said Koos van de Linde, an organ expert involved in the restoration. A team of four researchers, led by Catalunya, originally set out to replicate the organ but found some original pipes still functional. Organ builder Winold van der Putten incorporated those original pipes with replicas made from ancient methods. Researchers hope to finish restoring the entire organ and create copies for churches worldwide to ensure its music is accessible to all.
Historic Pipe Organ Resurrected in Jerusalem After 800 Years

Historic Pipe Organ Resurrected in Jerusalem After 800 Years
An ancient pipe organ, believed to be the oldest in the Christian world, has been restored and played for the first time in centuries at Saint Saviour’s Monastery in Jerusalem.
The historic pipe organ, dating back to the 11th century, was rediscovered in Bethlehem and brought back to life by musician David Catalunya. The organ was buried by the Crusaders to protect it from invaders. A restoration team found some original pipes still functional. Future plans include placing replicas in churches worldwide. This moment has been described as a significant event in the history of music.