1,500-year-old church discovered beneath lake in Turkey
Ruins of a Christian basilica in Lake Iznik. Photo: dailysabah.com
Aerial photographs have helped uncover the ruins of an ancient Christian church, dedicated to St. Neophytos, in Lake Iznik in Turkey’s Bursa province, Daily Sabah reports.
The basilica is located in an area of great significance to Christian history. On the shores of Lake Iznik lies Nicaea, the site of the First Ecumenical Council.
Historians estimate that the basilica was submerged during an earthquake in 740. The remains of the ancient church were discovered after water levels in the lake dropped.
Archaeologists consider the church an example of early Christian architecture. It is believed to be built in the fifth century over the burial site of the holy martyr Neophytos, who was killed for refusing to offer sacrifices to idols in Nice (modern-day France).
Work has been ongoing since 2015 to present the ruins as part of an underwater museum, as excavations continue.
The UOJ previously reported that British archaeologists had discovered the remains of an early Christian church believed to be the oldest ever found on the island.
Read also
Rivne court fines man for criticizing parish's "transfer" to OCU
A resident of the Rivne region was convicted over Facebook posts criticizing the “transfer” of a religious community in the village of Butove to the OCU.
Novynskyi: I quoted the Gospel to Zelensky on first day of war
The former Ukrainian MP said he advised Davyd Arakhamia to begin negotiations with Russia in the first days of the full-scale war and later spoke with Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sumy Eparchy venerates miraculous Korsun-Shpylivka Theotokos Icon
Celebrations honoring the Mother of God’s icon known as the “Restorer of Sight” were held at Sumy Cathedral and concluded with a car procession around the city.
Receding Dniester in Khmelnytskyi region exposes foundation of flooded church
The foundation of St. John the Theologian Church, submerged during the construction of a hydroelectric power plant, has resurfaced for the first time in 45 years.
Medieval сhurch сrumbles as Culture Ministry сites missing agreement
The 14th–15th-century St. Nicholas Church in Chesnyky, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, is falling into disrepair.
Poland сondemns Lviv Regional Council's decision to declare 2007 year of UPA
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the Lviv Regional Council's decision to dedicate 2027 to the UPA and Roman Shukhevych is harmful to Ukraine.