Hi all ,
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Sunday 06 November 2005, 16:53 Makka Time, 13:53 GMT
Remains were found during excavations two weeks ago
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Israeli archaeologists 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.
The Israeli Antiquities Authority said on Saturday 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 remains were found two weeks ago, while excavations were being carried out prior to issuing building permits for a new wing of the Megiddo prison, in northern Israel, which houses security prisoners.
More from here...
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8E2FF0BF-D4BC-4BB4-B779-FAF8A7977FA8.htmquote///
Prison dig reveals church that may be the oldest in the world
By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondent, and AP
A mosaic and the remains of a building uncovered recently in excavations on the Megiddo prison grounds may belong to the earliest church in the world, according to a preliminary examination by the Israel Antiquities Authority.
One of the most dramatic finds suggests that, instead of an altar, a simple table stood in the center of the church, at which a sacred meal was held to commemorate the Last Supper.
Photographs of three Greek inscriptions in the mosaic were sent to Hebrew University expert Professor Leah Di Segni, who told Haaretz on Sunday that the use of the term "table" in one of them instead of the word "altar" might lead to a breakthrough in the study of ancient Christianity. It is commonly believed that church rituals based on the Last Supper took place around an altar.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/641806.htmlAny other informative news would be appreciated...especially Orthodox.
Thanks
IX
helen
