Latest news with #ChristianHistory
Fox News
03-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
Archaeologist uncovers 'compelling evidence' of true location where Jesus turned water into wine
A historian believes he's found the location of Jesus Christ's first miracle – and has newfound evidence to back it up. Scripture gives limited details about Jesus' first miracle, which is said to have taken place at Cana. The Gospel of John states that Jesus turned water into wine during a wedding in the village. "Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons," the gospel states. "Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water,' so they filled them to the brim." The passage continues, "Then he told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.' They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine." The prevailing theory states that Kafr Kanna, an Israeli town in the Galilee, was the true location of Cana. Pilgrims have long venerated the site, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1914. But historian Tom McCollough says that Cana was actually located five miles north of Kafr Kanna. The site, called Khirbet Qana, was a Jewish village from 323 B.C. to 324 A.D. McCollough taught religion and history at Centre College until his retirement in 2017. He told Pen News that Khirbet Qana presents the most compelling evidence so far. "[No other village] has the ensemble of evidence that makes such a persuasive case for Khirbet Qana," he said. The main piece of evidence is a series of tunnels used by Christians — marked with various crosses and references to Christ, which date back over 1,500 years. "We have uncovered a large Christian veneration cave complex that was used by Christian pilgrims who came to venerate the water-to-wine miracle," McCollough said. "This complex was used beginning in the late fifth or early sixth century and continued to be used by pilgrims into the 12th-century Crusader period." During his excavation, McCollough also uncovered an altar and a shelf with a stone vessel. "Our excavations have shown that this was a thriving Jewish village located in the heart of much of Jesus' life and ministry." He noted that there was space for five additional jars — consistent with the biblical account of six stone jars. On the walls of the complex, his team of excavators also uncovered references to Kyrie Iesou, a Koine Greek phrase meaning Lord Jesus. "The pilgrim texts we have from this period that describe what pilgrims did and saw when they came to Cana of Galilee match very closely what we have exposed as the veneration complex," he said. Speaking to Pen News, McCollough also used the work of Flavius Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, to back up his argument. "His references to Cana align geographically with the location of Khirbet Qana and align logically with his movements," he said. "The reference to Cana in Josephus, the New Testament and in the rabbinic texts would argue the village was a Jewish village, near the Sea of Galilee and in the region of lower Galilee." He added, "Khirbet Qana fulfills all of these criteria." McCollough also argued that Kafr Kanna wasn't recognized as a pilgrimage site for Cana until the 18th century, which disputes the Catholic narrative about the site. "At this point, the Franciscans were managing Christian pilgrimage and facilitating easy passage rather than historical accuracy," he claimed. All in all, McCollough believes his excavations could bolster the case for the historicity of the Bible, and that his findings "warrant at least a reconsideration of the historical value of John's references to Cana and Jesus." "Our excavations have shown that this was in fact a thriving Jewish village located in the heart of much of Jesus' life and ministry," he said. McCollough added, "For the Gospel of John, Cana [was] in some ways Jesus' safe place or operational center. It is a place he and his disciples return to when they encounter resistance in Judea." The most recent research comes as archaeologists across the world work on uncovering sites from the Bible. In March, an archaeologist working at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre spoke with Fox News Digital about finding proof of an ancient garden at the site, consistent with scripture. Earlier this year, a group of Israeli archaeologists uncovered evidence of a biblical battle at the city of Megiddo in northern Israel.
Fox News
24-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Rare 1,200-year-old Christian cross found in field by metal detectorist
A city recently announced the discovery of a gilded Christian artifact dating back to the Early Middle Ages. In a statement published on May 12, the City of Leeds in the U.K. said the Saxon-era pendant was uncovered in a local field. It dates back over 1,200 years and was found by a metal detectorist last year. The "tiny Saxon treasure" has one broken arm, and the central stone it once held is now missing. But the city said the artifact is "nevertheless a stunning example of metalwork, made from solid silver covered with a thin layer of gold leaf." "Believed to date from the 8th century, the gilded pectoral cross may have once been a badge of office for an important church leader or official and was unearthed last year by a metal detectorist," the city said. "[The pendant] gives experts a fascinating glimpse into life in early medieval Yorkshire." Pictures show the small cross bearing an intricate interlacing pattern. Kat Baxter, a curator of archaeology at Leeds Museums and Galleries, said the cross was likely worn by a high-status member of Saxon society, such as an important church leader or official. "The cross is beautifully decorated on both sides, which suggests it was designed to hang around the neck with the suspension loop on the missing arm," the historian said. Baxter added, "It would certainly have been worn by someone of high status and is an outward display of religious identity." She added that the cross was made when Leeds was part of Northumbria. Leeds was first mentioned in the 8th century by Saint Bede, a monk who recorded much of what historians know about the early history of the British Isles. The kingdom was affiliated with paganism until the 7th century A.D. It transitioned to Christianity after — making the cross an early remnant of Christianity in Leeds. "[A]long with a number of other discoveries in the area, it really helps us build a picture of the types of people who would have lived here during this time," Baxter said. "All of these finds are part of a puzzle, which together show that Leeds was home to high-status, important individuals during the Saxon period, and this beautiful cross is the latest glimpse into the past," Baxton added. "Unfortunately, objects representing less wealthy people are less likely to survive." Salma Arif, a member of the Leeds City Council, called the cross "a beautiful example of the history all around us." "It's always wonderful when we are able to add important objects like this to our collections, and we're very grateful for the continued support of funders and visitors in helping us to preserve our local heritage," she said. In addition to the Saxon cross, Leeds is home to many fascinating historical finds. The remains of an Ancient Roman aristocrat, for example, were found within city limits in 2023. Before that, over 600 19th-century beer bottles were found under a staircase in the city.
