Early Christian Church Unearthed

By Cynthia Johnston

MEGIDDO PRISON, Israel (Reuters) - In a maximum-security jail just down the road from Armageddon, Israeli archaeologists have unearthed what they believe is the oldest church discovered in the land where Jesus was born.

"This is one of the most important finds of early Christianity," archaeologist Yardena Alexandre of the Israel Antiquities told journalists on a tour of the excavation on Sunday.

Remains of the church, which archaeologists date to the mid-third to early-fourth century, were found during a dig for possible artifacts before the planned construction of a new prison wing.
The ruins of the church include a mosaic tile floor with inscriptions in ancient Greek containing a reference to "The God Jesus Christ" and could shed light on early Christian practices.

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