World's Oldest "Standing" Church is in Saudi Arabia - 4th Century Assyrian Church with PICS.
Jubail Church is the
oldest still remaining church in the world, located in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
It dates to the 4th century. It was discovered in 1986. The government hides it from locals and bans foreigners from visiting it, even archaeologists.
It is an ancient Assyrian church possibly of the Nabatean culture.
In 1986, people on a desert picnic discovered the ruins of a church near the city of Jubail, Saudi Arabia, while digging one of their trucks out of the sand. The church is believed to have been built prior to A.D. 400, making it older than most churches in Europe. It was likely associated with one of five bishoprics existing on the shores of the Arabian Sea during the term of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople and founder of the heresy that bears his name.
Anyone familiar with contemporary Latin and Eastern Rite Catholic church buildings will recognize the basic design. The foundation marks for roof support columns in the main room easily identify it as the nave of a church. Probably, the roof was a thatch of palm branches supported by risers and crossbeams about a foot above the walls for sunlight and ventilation. The congregation would have entered through the main doorway at the west side of the nave and assembled, women standing to the right and men to the left, facing east toward the sanctuary (the middle of the three smaller chambers") where the altar would have been.
At the doorways to the sacristy, sanctuary, chapel, and the main entrance, stone crosses were attached to the wall. These four crosses, in place during the early excavation, disappeared in late 1986 or early 1987. Over the years since the discovery, the desert has erased even the marks left when the crosses were removed.
4th Century Assyrian Church in Saudi Arabia
The photographs were taken by Robert and Patricia McWhorter during 1986 shortly after the ruins were partially excavated and
protected by the Saudi Department of Antiquities.
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seiko wonder why the Muslims didnt tear it down
Muhammad the barbarian didnt sanction its destruction?
Saudi is holding the oldest church!
Something even the Romans tore down or converted (Oldest Roman temple is in far worse ruins thanks the the Christian invaders in Rome) Of course no one voices out about that!
Even in secular India Babri masjid didnt stand!
I dont support some of the things Saudi does but to most of you...Do your homework please!
And dont quote me with crap!