“Hidden Treasures Unearthed: Is This the Long-Lost ‘Church of the Apostles’ That Could Rewrite Early Christianity?”
The Hunt For The Church Of The Apostles
For Professor Steven Notley of Nyack College, the trail of clues began last year when the research team found pieces of marble from what they correctly thought was a chancel screen as well as glass blocks (tesserae) used in ornate mosaics at the site.
“These discoveries already informed us that the church was waiting to be found somewhere nearby,” said Notley. “It is always remarkable to bring these beautifully decorated floors to light after being buried for almost 1,500 years.”
Zachary WongProfessor Notley believes this church, situated by the Sea of Galilee, is evidence that the Biblical fishing village of Bethsaida existed here before the Roman city of Julias sprang up.
Notley and company were furthermore pleased with their discovery because some had believed that the Church of the Apostles didn’t exist in the first place.
“Until its recent discovery, many scholars questioned its existence,” said Notley. “Although it is mentioned in Byzantine pilgrimage itineraries, many thought these reports [were] mistaken. Of equal importance, the church indicates that there existed a living memory in the Christian community about the location of Bethsaida, home of Peter, Andrew and Philip (John 1:44).”
Notley explained that this Byzantine church was most notably mentioned by a German bishop and saint named Willibald in 725 A.D. It was his record that further supported the notion that the Church of the Apostles sat upon what was once the home of some of Jesus’ earliest followers.
