This was my first photo of Peter's House at Capernaum in 1969
Click on photo to enlarge it
This is how it looks in 2012. A Catholic Church covers the area believed to be Peter's House.
Click on photo to enlarge it
The House of Peter is an ancient residence at Capernaum that has been an object of attention since the 2nd century AD. Archaeologists have uncovered a house and subsequent house church that contains ancient writings in the wall itself mentioning Jesus as “Lord” and “Christ” in Aramaic, Greek, Syriac and Latin. The structure is very close to the ancient synagogue at Capernaum and when excavated, 1st century fish hooks and graffiti references to “Peter” were found.
Due to its location and early treatment as a Christian pilgrimage site, a large octagonal Byzantine church was erected over the House of Peter in the 5th century. Since that time, Christians have referred to this site as the House of Peter. In biblical accounts, it’s here where Jesus stayed while teaching in Capernaum and where he performed a number of miracles [Mark 1:29-34; 2:1-12]. Although scholars can’t be certain whether this was the actual House of Peter, scholars agree that this is one of the earliest Christian houses of worship yet discovered.
Let's go back in time and see what has been uncovered:
Click oh photo to enlarge it
1st, the ancient residence. A historical marker at the site reads:
"The traditional house of Peter was close to the lake shore and was flanked to the east by the main, north-south road [Cardo Maximus] of the village. Spacious courtyards with a staircase and terra refractaria fire places were shared by several roofed rooms."
Click on photo to enlarge it
2nd, the Domus Ecclesia. A historical marker at the site reads:
"In the late fourth century AD one special room of St Peter House, measuring 5.80 by 6.45 m., became a Domus Ecclesia, i.e. was used for religious gatherings. In the fourth century the traditional House of Peter was set apart from the rest of the town through the construction of an enclosure wall encompassing a perimeter of 112.55 m. This Domus Ecclesia is referred to by Eteria in the late fourth century when she writes: 'The house of the prince of the Apostles [i.e. Peter] was changed into a church. The walls, however, [of what was the house] are still standing as they were [originally]'"
Click on photo to enlarge it
3rd, the fifth century octagonal church. A historical marker at the site reads:
"In the second half of the fifth century an octagonal church was erected on a raised level within the perimeter of the previous enclosure wall. The plan consisted of a small central octagon, of a larger concentric and of an outer semi-octagon from which one could reach both the interior of the church and the eastern sacristies. An anonymous pilgrim of Piacenza passing through Capharnam around 560-570, writes about this final transformation, 'And so we came on to Capharnaum to the house of Saint Peter, which is now a basilica.'"
Some think that church was destroyed during the Persian Invasion in the early seventh century.
Gr8 post
ReplyDelete