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Showing results for tags 'worlds oldest christian church'.
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Wall painting of a woman at the well, perhaps the earliest known representation of the Virgin Mary, from baptistery of the Christian building. Paint on plaster, 3rd century AD. Dura-Europos was the easternmost Roman stronghold in Mesopotamia (found in modern-day Syria). The Romans under Lucius Verus wrested control of the city from Parthia in AD 164 and it remained under control of Rome until the Sasanians under Shapur I captured the city and deported the population in AD 256-257. Archaeological evidence shows this border town had become a site for religious tolerance. Evidence shows a variety of faiths practiced at the site, including the still-persecuted Christian faith at possibly the World’s oldest church. Women at the empty tomb of Christ. Here is a good article on the religious diversity of Dura-Europos: Much of this religious imagery was destroyed by ISIS during the Syrian war in 2015. https://the-past.com/feature/the-gods-of-dura-europos/ The synagogue of Dura-Europos dated to AD 244: Mithraeum of Dura-Europos Here’s a previous thread on evidence of chemical warfare found at Dura-Europos: