The remains of a Christian church have been found on the site of Megiddo prison. הארץ.com reports that archaeologists believe that the building dates from the third or early fourth century. This is of great historical, but also theological, significance - given that much is made these days of the idea that churches were only built in the time of Constantine. That's not true, of course - the Edict of Milan tells us that Christians had their own churches in 313.
The other interesting point in the article is that it revolutionises what we know of early church practice:
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.
The structure discovered at the Megiddo prison is a simple rectangular one lacking the later characteristics of churches, such as an apse facing east. "I don't know if this structure can even be called a church," Di Sengi said.
Wow - I've never heard this before. Fancy that! A church that doesn't face east and which has a simple table instead of an altar. It's practically Presbyterian!
| ← Previous day | (Calendar) | Next day → |