Nea Church Inscription

This photo is of a large plaster inscription that was found in a large cistern below the Nea Church in Jerusalem.  It dates to the time of the Emperor Justinian ( 527–565).

The inscription, in Greek reads:

"This work too was donated by our most pious Emperor Flavius Justinian, through the provision and care of Constantine, most saintly priest and abbot, in the 13th year of the indiction" (ca. 534/5).  From the description sign in the Israel Museum.

The Nea (new) Chuch was dedicated to Mary Theotokos (Mother of God).  It is located on the south side of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem—buried under buildings and the parking lot of the Jewish Quarter.

The complex included a church, a hostel for pilgrims, a hospital, and a monastery.  Some of the buildings were partly erected above the cistern in which this inscription was found.

On the Madaba Map, it is located on the south end of the main Cardo of 6th century Jerusalem.