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Neil_Anthony
Guest
That’s fascinating!
I found another article with a bit more information:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7446812.stm
I found another article with a bit more information:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7446812.stm
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roanoker
Guest
If this all pans out, it is indeed a wonderful find! I love archeology, especially regarding the early days of the church. Imagine if it is really from the earliest date mentioned, AD 33–that is the time of the crucifixion! Wow! That would be just staggering! Roanoker
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KathleenElsie
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I second this.
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Brenda_V
Guest
“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.” (quote from this article news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7446812.stm)
This is a great find! I do have to say that I object to the “predate” as that means it was “before” the church! To me the find means that it is the Church in it’s infancy, not predated! The rituals may predate the current rituals but never the Church for it was founded on that First Holy Thursday night with the Last Supper and Pentecost all within weeks of each other.
I have to say that I have had the privilege of going one Sunday to one of the oldest still in use Churches when we lived in Turkey. Now they didn’t have Mass that Sunday because there were not enough Priests and it wasn’t their month to have him there! It was also probably a Coptic, not Latin rite but I can’t tell you because I was all of 11 years old at the time but was still awed by the experience.
The same vacation we got to walk in a no longer in use but still standing Christian church near caves where it is purported the Christians lived (I don’t know how true that is) - both are off the beaten path of the usual tourist as it was a Turkish friend who found us these places to visit. The Church still had some paintings on the walls and floor but no chairs (which I now know are a, gasp, a Protestant innovation), altar or windows (but window openings and a roof!)
It would be interesting to go see this newest find though!
Brenda V.
This is a great find! I do have to say that I object to the “predate” as that means it was “before” the church! To me the find means that it is the Church in it’s infancy, not predated! The rituals may predate the current rituals but never the Church for it was founded on that First Holy Thursday night with the Last Supper and Pentecost all within weeks of each other.
I have to say that I have had the privilege of going one Sunday to one of the oldest still in use Churches when we lived in Turkey. Now they didn’t have Mass that Sunday because there were not enough Priests and it wasn’t their month to have him there! It was also probably a Coptic, not Latin rite but I can’t tell you because I was all of 11 years old at the time but was still awed by the experience.
The same vacation we got to walk in a no longer in use but still standing Christian church near caves where it is purported the Christians lived (I don’t know how true that is) - both are off the beaten path of the usual tourist as it was a Turkish friend who found us these places to visit. The Church still had some paintings on the walls and floor but no chairs (which I now know are a, gasp, a Protestant innovation), altar or windows (but window openings and a roof!)
It would be interesting to go see this newest find though!
Brenda V.
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michog
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Fascinating development. This link has a few more pictures.
dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1025558/Is-Christianitys-FIRST-church-Cave-70-beloved-God-worshipped-Christ-alive-found.html
dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1025558/Is-Christianitys-FIRST-church-Cave-70-beloved-God-worshipped-Christ-alive-found.html
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Holly3278
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Wow. That is amazing! What a wonderful find! 
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Eden
Guest
I’m really looking forward to learning more as the study of this find progresses. I’d especially like to learn more about the mosaics and iron crosses that were mentioned.
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