Location: Alexandria, Egypt
Archaeologists in Alexandria, Egypt, have uncovered the remains of an ancient Christian church dating back to the 3rd century AD, shedding light on one of the earliest known places of Christian worship in North Africa. The structure, partially buried under modern buildings, contains rare biblical inscriptions in Greek and Coptic, some of which reference early Christian prayers and hymns.
One of the most significant discoveries includes a stone altar with inscriptions mentioning Jesus Christ, making it one of the oldest known references to Christian worship in the region. Additionally, fragments of early Gospel manuscripts were found, further confirming the presence of a thriving Christian community in Alexandria during a time of Roman persecution.
“This discovery is groundbreaking,” said Dr. Nadim Youssef, lead archaeologist on the project. “It shows how early Christians risked everything to practice their faith, gathering in secret places for prayer and worship.” Plans are already in place to preserve and display the findings at Egypt’s Coptic Museum.
