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Israeli archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of a third- or
fourth-century church in northern Israel, which they believe could be the
oldest ever found in the Holy Land. The church contains a well-preserved
mosaic, with references to Jesus Christ and images of fish - an ancient
Christian symbol.
"This find is once in a lifetime," Chief archaeologist Yotam Tefer told
VOA. "It is very, very exciting."
The church was found during renovations at a prison in Megiddo - what
the New Testament calls Armageddon - the site of the final apocalyptic war
marking the end of the world.
"This is the place, the site of the last battle,
Armageddon. Of course, this is the place. So, this is why it's so important to
the Christian world."
Word of the find has electrified the Christian world.
"Surely it is a great discovery, which will be a confirmation for all
the Christians all over the world," said Pietro Sambi, the Vatican's
ambassador to Israel, told Israeli television.
"Of course, all the Christians are convinced of the historicity of
Jesus Christ," he added. "But it is extremely important to have
archaeological proof of a church dedicated to Him."
It is also good news for the Israeli tourism industry, which has been
battered by five years of Israeli-Palestinian fighting.
"This find made my heart palpitate!" said Israel's tourism minister,
Avraham Hirschzon. "It could bring a very large flow of tourists to the
country," he said. Israel is considering moving the prison where the
church was found, so it can open the site to the public.
That would enable Christian pilgrims visiting Jerusalem, Bethlehem and
Galilee, to include a stop at Armageddon. | 
