Israeli prisoners Rizlov Ramil, top, and Biton Maymon, bottom, clean
a section of a Christian mosaic floor dating to the third or fourth century A.D.,
in the compound of the Megiddo prison in northern Israel.
Posted on 11/05/2005 9:26:41 PM PST by Flavius
JERUSALEM - Israeli archaeologists on Saturday said they have discovered what may be the oldest Christian church in the Holy Land on the grounds of a prison near the biblical site of Armageddon. ADVERTISEMENT
The Israeli Antiquities Authority said the ruins are believed to date back to the third or fourth centuries, and include references to Jesus and images of fish, an ancient Christian symbol.
"This is a very ancient structure, maybe the oldest in our area," said Yotam Tepper, the head archaeologist on the dig.
The dig took place over the past 18 months at the Megiddo prison in northern Israel, with the most significant discoveries taking place in the past two weeks, Tepper said. Scholars believe Megiddo to be the New Testament's Armageddon, the site of a final war between good and evil.
Tepper said the discovery could shed new light on an important period of Christianity, which was banned by the Romans until the fourth century.
"Normally we have from this period in our region historical evidence from literature, not archaeological evidence," he said. "There is no structure you can compare it to, it is a very unique find."
Channel Two television, which broke the story Saturday evening, broadcast pictures of a detailed and well-preserved mosaic bearing the name of Jesus Christ in ancient Greek and images of fish.
Pietro Sambi, the Vatican's ambassador to Israel, praised the find as a "great discovery."
"Of course, all the Christians are convinced of the history of Jesus Christ," he told Channel Two. "But is it extremely important to have archaeological proof of a church dedicated to him? Certainly."
Joe Zias, an anthropologist and a former curator with the Israeli Antiquities Authorities, said the discovery was significant but unlikely to be the world's oldest church. He said there were no churches until Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the fourth century.
"The earliest it could be is fourth century and we have other fourth-century churches. I think what is important here is the size, the inscription and the mosaics," he said. "I think it is an important find as far as early Christianity but I wouldn't say it was the oldest church in the world."
The Antiquities Authority said more than 60 prison inmates took part in the dig in recent months. Channel Two said there is speculation that Israel may move the prison and open a tourist attraction in its place.
"If it's between a prison and a church, I would like a church," Zias said. "You can put a prison anywhere."
Israeli Tourism Minister Avraham Hirshzon said the discovery could greatly increase tourism to Israel.
"If we nurture this properly, then certainly there will be a large stream of tourists who could come to Israel. There is great potential and together with the evangelical center in the north could bring great strides in tourism," he told Channel Two.
What is odd are the ones who dispute the existence of Jesus, often citing a lack of historical documentation outside of religion, but have no problem believing in the Roman emporers who existed in the same time period.
All that may be true, but as Scripture says, no man knows the hour, and we must be always ready like the wise virgins with their lamps filled with oil.
Is there a translation of the mosaic inscription anywhere?
There is complete continuity between the Church of the apostles and the early fathers and the Church post-Constantine, and in fact down to current day in the Church in communion with Peter's successor, Pope Benedict.
There is no moral right to embrace error, but there is no room for coercion of people's free conscience. Evangelization a la St. Francis is more what is called for. I really hate these blanket statements about killing all Moslems I am seeing more and more on Free Republic. I don't think anyone should be embracing the idea of genocide. Islam can be stopped without genocide.
Still you must realize that Muslim's holy book calls for killing of Jews and Christians. Can we hope for their success? I think at best we can pray they abandon their religion of hate.
another source (thanks spyone)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4411286.stm
earlier topic:
Ancient church uncovered in Megiddo Prison
Jerusalem Post | 11/5/5 | TIDHAR OFEK
Posted on 11/05/2005 3:38:44 PM PST by SmithL
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1516475/posts
similar, later FR topics:
Israeli Archaeologists Discover Roman-era Christian Building
Washington Post | 11/6/05 | Scott Wilson
Posted on 11/06/2005 1:22:28 PM PST by saquin
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1516876/posts
Perish the thought! Everything to them is Muslim. Not.
There is no "J" in the Greek or Hebrew Scriptures. Go to bnaiavraham.net and read The Missing "J" Free and a great read.
this is (I believe) the first one:
Ancient church uncovered in Megiddo Prison
Jerusalem Post | 11/5/5 | TIDHAR OFEK
Posted on 11/05/2005 3:38:44 PM PST by SmithL
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1516475/posts
Ahem. The Catholilc church and Christianity were one and the same until the schisms and later the Reformation.
Ping!
There's a difference? What is that, pray tell?
The Catholilc church and the Baptist church and the Presbyterians church and Christianity were one and the same until the schisms and later the Reformation.
That's what I'm saying...The Catholic church, the Baptist church, the the Presbyterian church etc. all had the same roots...
When Constantine declared a state religion, one group went that way and the others went another...The schisms apparently started before Constantine...So if this building is older than Constantine's reign, it's hard to say who it belonged to...
Only one church goes back to Jesus Christ.
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Source: Scripture Catholic |
Great table! Thanks, that's a keeper!
Ha...That's pretty lame...There's not a single group on your list that doesn't have it's roots in 33 A.D except possibly the Catholic church...
Jesus said:
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Seems unlikely that church leaders in 34 A.D. would have been called 'Father' in view of the admonition from Jesus...
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