Megiddo church, Archaeological church at Tel Megiddo, Israel.
Megiddo church is the remains of an early Christian place of worship found at Tel Megiddo on a hilltop in northern Israel. The floor features an ancient mosaic with fish symbols and geometric patterns spread across its surface.
This church was built around 230 AD and ranks among the earliest known Christian church buildings in the world. Archaeologists uncovered its foundations in the early 2000s while digging at this ancient location.
The Greek inscription names a Roman officer called Gaianus who helped establish this early Christian place. The name links the site's ancient military past with the arrival of early believers in the region.
This site sits on prison grounds and is not freely accessible to the public. Visitors must arrange permits in advance and can only enter with authorized guided tours.
The inscription on the mosaic includes an explicit theological statement about Jesus's divinity, which is remarkable for this ancient period. This specific wording reveals what the early Christian community at this location actually believed.
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