Is a Cave in Jordan the World’s Oldest Christian Church?
Archaeologists discovered a cave below the ancient St. Georgeous Church—itself one of the world’s oldest churches—that they believe is a Christian Church dating to 33–70 A.D. “We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians: the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ,” said archaeologist Abdel-Qader al-Housan, referring to a mosaic inscription on the floor of St. Georgeous reading “70 beloved by God and the divine.” Inside the cave, archaeologists found a circular worship area with stone seats and a long tunnel leading to a cistern. They also found pottery shards, inscribed with “Georgeous,” that date between the third and seventh centuries. According to al-Housan, the Christians had fled religious persecution in Jerusalem to found secret, underground churches in Jordan and elsewhere. Some hope that the findings will improve Muslim-Christian relations in Jordan. “When Muslims came to the place, it was the Christians who received them and they lived together,” said Archiman
