The earliest known inscription declaring Jesus as God has been discovered beneath a modern prison in northern Israel. Known as the “Megiddo Mosaic,” the artifact, inscribed in ancient Greek, dates back to around 230 CE and offers rare insight into early Christian practices.
Discovery beneath the prison
Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) uncovered the mosaic during salvage excavations at Megiddo Prison between 2003 and 2005. The dig was conducted ahead of planned construction to expand the prison.
Beneath layers of roof tiles and wall plaster, carefully placed by ancient occupants for preservation, researchers unearthed the mosaic in what they believe is the earliest Christian prayer hall ever discovered.
“This structure is interpreted as the oldest Christian prayer house in the world,” the IAA said in a statement. “It tells the story of Christianity even before it became official.”
The prayer hall predates formal church buildings, which began appearing in the fourth century after Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. At the time, Christians gathered in private homes for worship.
Dr. Yotam Tepper, who led the excavation, said the site showed no signs of destruction. “The building was abandoned, and nobody lived there again,” Tepper said.
The Megiddo Mosaic from the 3rd Century, is the oldest evidence of Christianity and it has the following phrase inscribed, “God Jesus Christ”. It is clear that early Christians considered Jesus Christ to be God. pic.twitter.com/s7lfgtOVYi
— The Holy Apostolic Bible (HAB) (@ApostolicBible1) September 27, 2024
Inscriptions in ancient Greek
The mosaic includes three inscriptions written in ancient Greek, offering glimpses into the faith and community of early Christians. The most notable reads: “The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial.”
Experts view this as one of the earliest affirmations of Jesus’ divinity. The donor, Akeptous, is described as a “God lover,” and researchers believe she was a wealthy and influential woman. The table she donated, placed at the center of the hall, was likely used in Eucharist rituals, a key practice in early Christianity.
Another inscription credits Gaianus, also known as Porphyrius, a Roman centurion, for funding the mosaic as an act of generosity. His involvement underscores the diverse makeup of early Christian communities, which included Roman soldiers.
The third inscription commemorates four women—Primilla, Cyriaca, Dorothea, and Chreste—whose importance to the community is noted, though their specific roles remain unclear.
Cultural and religious harmony during Roman and Byzantine periods
The site at Megiddo provides a rare look at the coexistence of cultures and religions during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Archaeologists found evidence of a village with Samaritan residents located near a Roman military camp. This proximity suggests a level of tolerance and peaceful interaction among different groups.
“Through the excavations we learned about all the connections between Samaritans, Jews, pagans, Christians, soldiers and civilians,” Tepper said. “To have neighborhoods of so many different religions and ethnicities in such geographical proximity to each other makes this very special.”
The mosaic’s symbolism
The mosaic also features fish imagery, an important symbol in early Christianity. The Greek word for fish, ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthys), forms an acronym for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”
ICTUS :
Fish in Christianity – It is symbol of Jesus. It was used as a secret cipher by early Christians. ICTUS is formed from initials of words in Greek sentence “Iesous Christos Theou Uios Soter”. It means “Jesus Christ God’s Chosen Son”.#archaeohistories pic.twitter.com/l17mJWphOQ
— Archaeo – Histories (@archeohistories) January 6, 2022
I = Iesous = Jesus
CH = Christos = Christ
TH = Theou = God’s
Y = Yios = Son
S = Soter = Savior
The fish also refers to Jesus’ calling of fishermen Peter and Andrew to become “fishers of men,” as described in the Gospel of Matthew.
The excavation faced significant challenges due to the site’s location within a maximum-security prison. After years of delays, plans are now underway to relocate the prison, allowing archaeologists full access to the site for further study. Officials hope to eventually open the site to the public.
Display in Washington
Today, the Megiddo Mosaic is on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., where it will remain until July 6, 2025.. The exhibit highlights the significance of the inscriptions and their role in understanding early Christianity.
Visitors can explore how this artifact bridges ancient faith with modern interpretation, offering a rare glimpse into the diversity and resilience of early Christian communities.