not in the sense of actually preventing people from coming in, but protecting christians' rights to worship. >> opening and closing the doors to the holiest christian site in jerusalem has been the responsibility of the alasini man for centuries. >> we are protecting the church. since 1027 until now. >> saladin's gesture has come to symbolize much of what the modern papacy represents. divine leadership in face of warring religions. >> when i came every morning to opening the church, standing in front of the gate, i see my father and i see my grandfather and i also see saladin ayyudi waiting to open the church.