Adventurer

Joined: 28 Jan 2006
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: Jordan cave may be oldest church |
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Jordan cave may be oldest church
By Matt McGrath
BBC science correspondent
The cave is beneath the ancient church of St Georgeous
Archaeologists in Rihab, Jordan, say they have discovered a cave that could be the world's oldest Christian church.
Dating to the period AD33-70, the underground chapel would have served as both a place of worship and a home.
It is claimed that it was originally used by a group of 70 persecuted Christians who fled from Jerusalem.
These early Christians lived and practised their faith in secrecy until the Romans embraced Christianity several hundred years later.
'Beautiful things'
Rihab is in Northern Jordan. The cave is beneath the ancient church of St Georgeous, itself one of the oldest known places of worship in the world.
According to Dr Abdul Qader Al-Hassan, the director of the Rihab Centre for Archaeological studies, the cave site shows clear evidence of early Christian rituals that predate the church.
MONCUREALEGLISE |
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