>Archaeologists have found a Christian chapel built around the fourth-century A.D. Archaeologists believe the chapel may be the oldest Christian worship place in Thessaloniki, Greece. Thessaloniki is the modern name for the ancient city of Thessalonica. The apostle Paul wrote two letters to the believers at Thessalonica.

Below is an excerpt of the news report announcing the discovery:

Among the highlights of the find is a mosaic floor uncovered when structures of the later basilica were removed. This was showed a white field with a clematis theme, dominated by a phoenix with a halo and 13 rays in the centre. On either side are a number of birds, of which seven still survive, two of the right and five on the left.

Archaeologists surmise that there were originally 12 birds, six on either side of the phoenix, and that the picture allegorically represents Christ and the 12 apostles.

You can read more about this discovery here.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

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Tags: Archaeology, Thessaloniki, Thessalonica