Posted inClassical Archaeology

Analysis of the “domus ecclesiae” at Dura Europos challenges the narrative of the material origins of early Christianity

For nearly a century, the structure known as the “Christian Building” in Dura-Europos has been heralded as a quintessential example of early Christian architecture. Dating back to around 232 CE, this building—located in the ancient Roman city of Dura-Europos in modern-day Syria—has long been considered the prototypical domus ecclesiae, or house church. This term describes […]

Posted inArchaeology

Archaeologists Discover 4th Century Christian Building in Bahrain, Oldest in the Persian Gulf

Archaeologists have unearthed one of the earliest Christian buildings in the Persian Gulf, providing the first physical evidence of a long-lost Christian community in the region. Today, Christianity is not commonly associated with the Gulf, but the Church of the East, also known as the Nestorian Church, thrived there until the mass conversions to Islam […]

Posted inAge of Exploration

Amakusa Shiro, the Teenage Messiah who Led the Rebellion Against the Persecution of Christians in 17th Century Japan

When we talk about persecution of Christianity, usually the image that comes to mind is that of the Roman Empire, with Roman Christians identifying themselves incognito through drawings of the Chi-Rho or a schematic fish. However, in late 16th century Japan, a similar situation was also experienced. In 1587, the daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the unifier […]