The Megiddo Mosaic, the most important discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is a fundamental sign and body for understanding the beginnings of Christianity. – Carlo Franza’s blog

The Megiddo Mosaic, considered the first “physical proof” of Christianity, will be visible until July 2025 at the Museum of the Bible in Washington.

The news was partly drawn from Museum of the Bible in Washington and also from the online newspaper https://www.uccronline.it/2024/11/18/mosaico-di-megiddo-prima-prova-fisica-del-cristianesimo/

The work, dating back to the 3rd century, was found in 2005 during the construction of a prison in Megiddo, northern Israel. An area that it was called at the time Legioof strong historical and biblical relevance (often associated with the battle of “Armageddon”, mentioned in the book of Revelation).

It is considered the most important discovery from the time of the Dead Sea Scrolls to Qumran (1946), the mosaic dates back to around 230 ADa period before the legalization and greater popularity of Christianity with the emperor Constantine.

The mosaic is an important piece for understanding the dawns of Christianity in the holy land and is thought to have been part of the floor of a room where the faithful gathered to pray, already before the structures of the Church that developed in the following centuries. It is thought to have been part of the floor of the oldest Christian place of worshipdecorating one of the prayer rooms of almost 50m². It is a unique testimony of one primitive ecclesial community before more formal church structures developed in subsequent centuries.

The Megiddo mosaic, created by an artist named Bruzio (his name is preserved in the floor), depicts a table/altar for the celebration of the Eucharist and the design of two fishprimitive symbols of Christianity.

There are also three inscriptions in Greek.

The first is dedicated to Gaiano, a Roman centurion, referred to as “our brother”, who financed the floor.

The second inscription is dedicated to five women, calling them by name who probably had an important role in the community. They are Akeptouswife of Gaiano, Primilla, Ciriaca, Dorotea and Chreste.

In the third the words “God Jesus Christ” appear, specifying that the table is dedicated to him.

It is a precious and ancient demonstration of faith in divinity of Jesusdecades before the major councils of the early church (e.g., Nicaea occurred in 325 AD).

“There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave nor free; there is no longer male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3, 28), he wrote Saint Paul in the first half of the 1st century.

The Megiddo mosaic testifies to a small Christian community that lived according to the Pauline ideal, where an artist, a Roman soldier, a group of women created a room to allow the primitive local church to reunite fraternally in the name of Jesus Christ, already then worshiped as God.

Carlo Franza