Byzantine Church (Petra Church): Ancient church of Byzantine Empire

By Asad Russel –  

About the Byzantine Church (Petra Church), Petra, Jordan:
In the ancient city of Petra a Byzantine Church is the Petra Church, near the Temple of the Winged Lions off the colonnaded street a few hundred meters located.

The history of the Byzantine Church (Petra Church):
Around 450 AD over Roman and Nabataean remains to have been first built seems the Petra Church. A major 5th and 6th century cathedral it may have been, after a 363 AD earthquake of Petra’s decline the other evidence which is intriguing given. Around 450 when first constructed, only an entrance porch and one apse had the church. From this period in the southern aisle is the Mosaic of the Seasons.

The church was remodeled in 500-50 AD, were installed two side apses and built the atrium which was two story, was pave the nave and were installed the wall mosaics, a pulpit and the chancel screens, of the northern aisle as were the mosaics and of the southern aisle the eastern end. May have been in progress a second remodeling around 600 AD a major fire when the church suffered, and by earthquakes until it was destroyed finally it stood derelict.

In 1990 by Kenneth W. Russell was discovered the Petra Church, in 1992 who passed away. From the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with funding by the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) in 1992-98 the site was excavated.

Inside the church were uncovered 153 papyrus scrolls in December 1993. Found in Jordan of ancient written material which are the largest the scrolls, due to the fire of early 7th century were carbonized and being are deciphered still, of one extended family the scrolls are the records and between 528 and 582 AD into life in Petra provide a valuable glimpse, of three Byzantine emperors the Justinian, Justin II and Tiberius II the reigns that saw a period. Among three brothers is a will dividing property among the documents, included slaves and vineyards the property, of the archdeacon Theodorus the son of Obodianos the family archive are probably the scrolls.

At the Byzantine Church (Petra Church) what to see:
Currently is being excavated and preserved the Petra Church and the roofless walls covers a protective tent. A three aisled basilica it is, on the east with three apses and three portals on the west about 26 meters by 15 meters. To construct the church the materials used which includes reliefs, door jambs and capitals, from the Roman and Nabataean periods ruined monuments must have come.

With remarkably preserved mosaics of 70 square meters is paved of the Petra Church each side of the aisles, a variety of animals (mythological, local and exotic) and of the seasons, wisdom, earth and ocean personifications includes which subjects. The significant remains of the nave’s pavement also are surviving, with the geometric designs of stone and marble.

To the west of the nave there is a baptistery and an atrium. From the mid-5th century the latter dates and in the entire Near East is one of the best preserved and largest. Accessed by steps there is a cross shaped baptismal sunk in the corner of southwest, which a canopy may have supported.    
 

Posted by : Unknown 9:00 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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