Byzantine Church Apse

Byzantine Church Apse

View looking east at the apse of the recently excavated remains of a Byzantine Church that the excavators believe was part of a monastic complex—possibly "The Church of the Apostles" that was visited by Willibald in A.D. 725.


One of the mosaic inscriptions found at the church says ". . . chief and commander of the heavenly apostles" which the excavators believe is a petition addressed to Saint Peter.

In the center of the image, the semi-circular apse of the church is visible.  The floor of the church is covered with plastic.  The "mounds" that you see in the picture are sandbags covered with dirt that are holding the plastic in place. (picture January 2023)

For links regarding the excavation see the article Digging In: El-Araj in the online article in Bible History Daily.

For brief reports on the seasons of excavations see Here.