Latest news with #GreekOrthodoxChristians
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- General
- Extra.ie
House where Last Supper occurred 'still standing' millennia later
Archaeologists have claimed that the house where the Last Supper is said to have occurred is still standing over 2,000 years later. The room where Jesus Christ had his supper with his 12 disciples before his crucifixion was mentioned in the book of Luke 22:11-13, which saw Jesus ask for a large, furnished upper room of a house so they could have their passover meal. The room, also known as the Cenacle on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, is a tourist attraction and prayer room — and despite it being said as the room where the famed supper occurred, there was a lack of archaeological excavation that could confirm if the room was around during Jesus' time. Archaeologists have claimed that the house where the Last Supper is said to have occurred is still standing over 2,000 years later. Pic: sedmak/Getty There have been several ancient depictions of the house, which had limestone walls and a red sloping roof, including in 1585 when a fourth century carving saw Jesus before Mary Magdalene post resurrection with a distinctive slanted roof in the background. Other illustrations depicting what appears to be proof of the house include in 1846, when a sixth century illustration found in Italy depicted Jesus entering the old city of Jerusalem on a donkey with the Cenacle visible in the background. Greek Orthodox Christians also found what was thought to be the earliest map of Jerusalem that dated back to 560 AD, with the map showcasing the Cardo Maximus and two structures at the southern end of the map that were identifiable by red roofs. The Cenacle in Mount Zion, where the Last Supper is said to have occurred. Pic: Richard T. Nowitz/Getty Images In more recent times, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) underwent peeling back the modifications of the Cenacle using laser technology and photographic imaging to try and uncover what state it would have been in during the time of the Last Supper. After intense scanning of the room to create 'accurate models of the space,' features that were previously unknown were discovered, including obscure artwork such as Agnus Dei (the Lamb of God) and the Lion of Judah on the ceiling. 'The lion was the symbol of King David,' Amit Re'em of the IAA told Fox News at the time. 'According to ancient scriptures, Jesus was a descendent of King David.' Pic: minoandriani/Getty Images Despite the historical significance of the room, it still cannot be confirmed 100% if that is indeed where the Last Supper took place; with Mr Re'em saying at the time that further research is needed. 'From time to time, when we have an opportunity, we're continuing to document other parts of the holy complex,' he said. 'I hope that maybe, in the future, we will have the opportunity to conduct a small-scale classical archaeological investigation.'
Metro
16-05-2025
- Metro
I visited Turkey's magnificent viral beach — it's not what it seems
A stretch of Turkey's southern coast is said to be one of the most Instagrammable places in the country, thanks to its dazzling turquoise water and breathtaking scenery. Found in the holiday town of Ölüdeniz in Fethiye, the 'Blue Lagoon' is home to a large cove that lies against a picturesque setting of dramatic rocks and verdantwoodland. Until the early 80s, it was considered a (fairly) hidden gem. And there is no doubt that it is beautiful. The problem is, everyone knows it. When I visited Fethiye in April, like everyone else, I traipsed to the Lagoon to see what the fuss was about. Having paid 100 Lira (around £2) to get in, I followed a short path that ended at a lovely spot — crammed with tourists. The sand was smattered with sunbathers and families, all with the same idea. And this was before holiday season had hit. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Of course, I waded into the water (note to visitors: take flip flops or water shoes, it's stony) and got my obligatory picture. But there was no way of doing it without capturing a load bodies in the background. Online, this place is portrayed as an unspoiled paradise, but it's definitely not the deserted scene we see on social media. It was time to get out of there, in search of truly undiscovered gem. This is everything I found, and everywhere that's worth your time, along Turkey's magnificent Turquoise Coast. Never mind where the influencers film — I realised that stunning scenery had been staring me in the face all along. While there's no doubt the Blue Lagoon is gorgeous, Fethiye is also home to the Taurus mountains, which form a spectacular backdrop as far as the eye can see. No amount of pictures can capture the majesty, which is probably why it hasn't gone viral on TikTok. You really have to see it to soak it all in. Covered in Red Pines and Cedars, the most prominent mountain in the region is Babadağ, aka Father Mountain. It towers nearly 2,000 metres high, and you can actually get pretty close to the top via cable car. It takes about 15 minutes and there are two stops: one at 1,200 metres and another at 1,700 metres, where you'll also find the Babadag 1700 Grill & Bar, which offers incredible views of the Fethiye coastline while you eat. I didn't have time to check it out, but it gets good reviews on TripAdvisor. A Babadag Sunset Dinner costs around £25 for adults and £13 for kids under 12. In the district of Fethiye you'll also find Kayaköy, a 'ghost town' where hundreds of derelict stone buildings embroider the hillsides. Once home to Greek Orthodox Christians, the town was abandoned after the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Today, the crumbling houses and churches offer visitors a haunting glimpse into the past. The area is still home to just under 1,000 people, and it was here that I discovered a small, friendly restaurant called Kahvaltıcı Mahmut which serves delicious Turkish breakfasts. Forget your full English, this was serious grub, with plate after plate of dips — my favourite was tahini with grape molasses. We're talking a variety of cheese and fresh fruit and veg, alongsideomelettes, börek (filo pastry with savoury filling), meat with mushroom, lokma (like donuts and very popular with my teenage son) as well as unlimited hot flatbread and Turkish tea. It costs 750 Lira per person (around £14) but children under 7 eat free. Later, I took a walk around the dusty streets and discovered the tree-shaded Kuyubaşı cafe, which I was told is a popular local haunt that does a good cup of authentic Turkish coffee. Served in a tiny cup, the finely ground coffee beans have been slowly boiled in a pot called a cezve, until the liquid foams. You're offered water as well, which I soon learned is an essential palate cleanser as the coffee is so strong. While it was too much for me – give me a milky latte any day – my husband was hooked straight away. Because the Aegean and Mediterranean meet in the region, the Blue Lagoon is not the only spot with jaw-dropping scenery. Just a couple of kilometres away, in fact, is Kidrak Beach. It's another one you have to pay to enter, but has an out-of-the way feel as it doesn't have crowded beach bars or family facilities. Definitely one if you're looking for a beautiful but bare basics beach haven. Alternatively, if you're desperately seeking that Insta shot, take a water taxi from from Çalış Beach to Şövalye island, another chilled beach with sea hammocks in the water. On most days we took a taxi to explore the city of Fethiye, which took about 15 mins and cost £7. The city is a popular cruise port – the most-visited on the Turquoise Coast – where the harbour is lined with boats, some lavish, others cheap, cheerful and ready to take holidaymakers on day trips. In the Old Town are rows of covered walkways, where local shops sit next door to stores selling knock-off football shirts and designer gear. If you like a good browse, you can spend hours weaving your way around the streets. For those who prefer to wile away time eating and drinking there are plenty of bars and restaurants with seafront views. However, I was told by our villa owner there was one area we had to head to for food — it did not disappoint. At the fish market, you can choose what you want and have it cooked in front of you by one of the restaurants that surround it. The choices are amazing — crab, prawn, octopus, monkfish, bream… the list is endless and changes day by day, depending on what has been caught. Everything is kept fresh on mounds of ice and the atmosphere is lively as reps from each restaurant ramp up the banter to reel you in to their tables. Armed with local advice, we had a great time and didn't end up spending a fortune. I'd been given the tip that the price quoted at the counter is only for the seafood you're getting, it costs extra to cook and then of course you also pay for the sides. Another pointer was don't buy a bottle of wine as it's expensive — go by the glass as servings are generous, but much more purse-friendly. More Trending The next day, we also headed to a food festival in Gocek, a town about an hour away. There, we tried popular local dishes and over the course of a couple of hours, only interrupted by a traditional Turkish dance routine. The ones that stayed with me were ashure, a sweet soup-like pudding rammed with fruits, nuts, seeds and chickpeas, and Turkish stuffed meatballs, icli kofte. And, of course, we finished it all off with baklava, layered filo pastry filled with nuts and lashings of honey. I have a sweet-tooth, and I've never tasted anything quite so sugary in my life. Our home for the week was Villa Murat on the outskirts of Fethiye. A four-bedroom luxury house which came with a pool and a cold water jacuzzi, it was just a five minute walk from the nearest supermarket and restaurants, and just 10 minutes from the more busy part of town, which is lined with local shops bars and restaurants. It was the perfect location and a great place to relax when you wanted a day of from sightseeing. Plus, if you have water-mad kids it is literally a two minute walk away from the Orca World Water Park. Sadly we visited before it opened on may 1, but according to reviews it's definitely worth a visit. 2025 rates at Villa Murat start from £1,129 based on a 7 night stay for 8 guests. To book please visit or phone 03338880205. Getting there Fethiye is about an hour's drive from Dalaman airport, which we flew into from Stansted. We travelled with very family friendly Jet2 and the flight took around 4.5hours. Flights start at are £54 per person*, one-way including taxes departing 11th May. For more information, please visit or call 0800 408 5599 *Prices are correct as at 29/04/2025 MORE: Have you seen these men? Putin and Trump missing from Ukraine peace talks MORE: I found a hidden side to Rome in the 'city that never was' MORE: Never mind New York — the 'Paris of North America' is an underrated paradise
Sky News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Gaza father grieves for children killed in Israeli airstrike on church building
As people take a break for the Easter holiday, in the Gaza Strip there is no respite from the 18-month-long war with Israel. Gaza has a tiny Christian community of Greek Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Evangelicals, and Anglicans. For Ramez al-Souri, the pain is unimaginable. His three children were killed by an Israeli airstrike, on an annex of Gaza's Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church. Palestinian health officials say the attack on 19 October 2023 killed 18 people inside the building. "My home has changed completely because there are no smiles, no laughter, no joy," Mr Al-Souri says. "I lost my flower - my daughter Julie - and my boys Suhail and Majd. They were salt of the Earth." Shrouded in darkness Julia was 12 years old, Suhial 14 and Majd 11. It is a loss that never leaves Mr Al-Souri, and one shared by almost every family in Gaza. Walking through the cemetery, he gently places a small bouquet of flowers on his children's grave. Gunfire crackles in the distance. The neighbourhood is full of rubble and destruction. "This Easter is no different than the last," Mr Al-Souri says. "We are tending to our wounds. "We continue to hope for an end to this war and suffering, for the darkness over Gaza to finally lift." 1:28 No end in sight But there is no sign of light for more than two million people trapped inside Gaza. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a special address to the nation on Saturday night and vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed. Mr Netanyahu said Israel has "no choice" but to keep fighting "for our very own existence until victory." Israel is calling for Hamas to disarm and to release 10 Israeli hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire. There are 59 hostages still inside Gaza. It is believed 24 of them are still alive. Hamas has rejected the proposal. It argues Israel reneged on the first ceasefire deal by refusing to move to phase two of the agreement and withdraw Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. 0:38 A disaster on the ground Since the ceasefire collapsed on 2 March, Israel's bombing campaign has intensified. Palestinian health officials say more than 1,700 people have been killed in the last month, and more than 90 people in the last 24 hours. The humanitarian situation is a disaster. At the few remaining soup kitchens in Gaza, children scramble for food. They carry pots for their family and push forward trying to secure a bowl of lentils or rice. Israel has blocked aid trucks from entering for the last seven weeks. It says it is to put pressure on Hamas. But the pressure is being felt by civilians, creating what aid groups say is the most severe crisis Gaza has ever faced. Israel has cut off vital supplies of food and medicine, but insists it is not using starvation as a weapon of war. It rejects any suggestion Gaza does not have enough food and accuses Hamas of stealing it. 3:36 'We're craving food' Seven members of the Al-Asheh family are displaced and live in a tent in Deir al-Balah. Twelve-year-old Ahmed says before the war he didn't like lentils, now it is all he eats. "Before the war, we used to have fruits, chicken, vegetables, everything was available. We were never hungry," Ahmed explains. "Now, we're craving food, chicken - anything. The only thing we can eat now is what the soup kitchen provides." It is clear that ceasefire talks are going nowhere, and Israel has tightened its blockade and deepened its war. More than 400,000 Palestinians have recently been displaced yet again as Israel has expanded a buffer zone inside Gaza, levelling houses to create a "security zone". For Palestinians, this constitutes a "land grab". 0:33 'A symbol of the world's conscience' Israel has also established another military corridor in southern Gaza, calling it Morag corridor. The corridor is north of Rafah and has cut Gaza's second-largest city off from the rest of the territory. Israel says it has now taken control of 30% of the Gaza Strip and insists it will not withdraw. For Palestinians, the future has never looked more bleak. They are blockaded, displaced, struggling for food, water, basic sanitation and in constant search of safety. "Gaza is calling on the world to stand by it," Mr Al-Souri says.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Father grieves for children killed in Israeli airstrike on church building in Gaza
As people take a break for the Easter holiday, in the Gaza Strip there is no respite from the 18-month-long war with Israel. Gaza has a tiny Christian community of Greek Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Evangelicals, and Anglicans. For Ramez al-Souri, the pain is unimaginable. His three children were killed by an Israeli airstrike, on an annex of Gaza's Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church. Palestinian health officials say the attack on 19 October 2023 killed 18 people inside the building. "My home has changed completely because there are no smiles, no laughter, no joy," Mr Al-Souri says. "I lost my flower - my daughter Julie - and my boys Suhail and Majd. They were salt of the Earth." Shrouded in darkness Julia was 12 years old, Suhial 14 and Majd 11. It is a loss that never leaves Mr Al-Souri, and one shared by almost every family in Gaza. Walking through the cemetery, he gently places a small bouquet of flowers on his children's grave. Gunfire crackles in the distance. The neighbourhood is full of rubble and destruction. "This Easter is no different than the last," Mr Al-Souri says. "We are tending to our wounds. "We continue to hope for an end to this war and suffering, for the darkness over Gaza to finally lift." Read more: No end in sight But there is no sign of light for more than two million people trapped inside Gaza. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a special address to the nation on Saturday night and vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed. Mr Netanyahu said Israel has "no choice" but to keep fighting "for our very own existence until victory." Israel is calling for Hamas to disarm and to release 10 Israeli hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire. There are 59 hostages still inside Gaza. It is believed 24 of them are still alive. Hamas has rejected the proposal. It argues Israel reneged on the first ceasefire deal by refusing to move to phase two of the agreement and withdraw Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. A disaster on the ground Since the ceasefire collapsed on 2 March, Israel's bombing campaign has intensified. Palestinian health officials say more than 1,700 people have been killed in the last month, and more than 90 people in the last 24 hours. The humanitarian situation is a disaster. At the few remaining soup kitchens in Gaza, children scramble for food. They carry pots for their family and push forward trying to secure a bowl of lentils or rice. Israel has blocked aid trucks from entering for the last seven weeks. It says it is to put pressure on Hamas. But the pressure is being felt by civilians, creating what aid groups say is the most severe crisis Gaza has ever faced. Israel has cut off vital supplies of food and medicine, but insists it is not using starvation as a weapon of war. It rejects any suggestion Gaza does not have enough food and accuses Hamas of stealing it. 'We're craving food' Seven members of the Al-Asheh family are displaced and live in a tent in Deir al-Balah. Twelve-year-old Ahmed says before the war he didn't like lentils, now it is all he eats. "Before the war, we used to have fruits, chicken, vegetables, everything was available. We were never hungry," Ahmed explains. "Now, we're craving food, chicken - anything. The only thing we can eat now is what the soup kitchen provides." It is clear that ceasefire talks are going nowhere, and Israel has tightened its blockade and deepened its war. More than 400,000 Palestinians have recently been displaced yet again as Israel has expanded a buffer zone inside Gaza, levelling houses to create a "security zone". For Palestinians, this constitutes a "land grab". 'A symbol of the world's conscience' Israel has also established another military corridor in southern Gaza, calling it Morag corridor. The corridor is north of Rafah and has cut Gaza's second-largest city off from the rest of the territory. Israel says it has now taken control of 30% of the Gaza Strip and insists it will not withdraw. For Palestinians, the future has never looked more bleak. They are blockaded, displaced, struggling for food, water, basic sanitation and in constant search of safety. "Gaza is calling on the world to stand by it," Mr Al-Souri says. "Gaza stands as a symbol of the world's moral conscience."
Sky News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Father grieves for children killed in Israeli airstrike on church building in Gaza
As people take a break for the Easter holiday, in the Gaza Strip there is no respite from the 18-month-long war with Israel. Gaza has a tiny Christian community of Greek Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Evangelicals, and Anglicans. For Ramez al-Souri, the pain is unimaginable. His three children were killed by an Israeli airstrike, on an annex of Gaza's Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church. Palestinian health officials say the attack on 19 October 2023 killed 18 people inside the building. "My home has changed completely because there are no smiles, no laughter, no joy," Mr Al-Souri says. "I lost my flower - my daughter Julie - and my boys Suhail and Majd. They were salt of the Earth." Shrouded in darkness Julia was 12 years old, Suhial 14 and Majd 11. It is a loss that never leaves Mr Al-Souri, and one shared by almost every family in Gaza. Walking through the cemetery, he gently places a small bouquet of flowers on his children's grave. Gunfire crackles in the distance. The neighbourhood is full of rubble and destruction. "This Easter is no different than the last," Mr Al-Souri says. "We are tending to our wounds. "We continue to hope for an end to this war and suffering, for the darkness over Gaza to finally lift." 1:28 No end in sight But there is no sign of light for more than two million people trapped inside Gaza. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a special address to the nation on Saturday night and vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed. Mr Netanyahu said Israel has "no choice" but to keep fighting "for our very own existence until victory." Israel is calling for Hamas to disarm and to release 10 Israeli hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire. There are 59 hostages still inside Gaza. It is believed 24 of them are still alive. Hamas has rejected the proposal. It argues Israel reneged on the first ceasefire deal by refusing to move to phase two of the agreement and withdraw Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. 0:38 A disaster on the ground Since the ceasefire collapsed on 2 March, Israel's bombing campaign has intensified. Palestinian health officials say more than 1,700 people have been killed in the last month, and more than 90 people in the last 24 hours. The humanitarian situation is a disaster. At the few remaining soup kitchens in Gaza, children scramble for food. They carry pots for their family and push forward trying to secure a bowl of lentils or rice. Israel has blocked aid trucks from entering for the last seven weeks. It says it is to put pressure on Hamas. But the pressure is being felt by civilians, creating what aid groups say is the most severe crisis Gaza has ever faced. Israel has cut off vital supplies of food and medicine, but insists it is not using starvation as a weapon of war. It rejects any suggestion Gaza does not have enough food and accuses Hamas of stealing it. 3:36 'We're craving food' Seven members of the Al-Asheh family are displaced and live in a tent in Deir al-Balah. Twelve-year-old Ahmed says before the war he didn't like lentils, now it is all he eats. "Before the war, we used to have fruits, chicken, vegetables, everything was available. We were never hungry," Ahmed explains. "Now, we're craving food, chicken - anything. The only thing we can eat now is what the soup kitchen provides." It is clear that ceasefire talks are going nowhere, and Israel has tightened its blockade and deepened its war. More than 400,000 Palestinians have recently been displaced yet again as Israel has expanded a buffer zone inside Gaza, levelling houses to create a "security zone". For Palestinians, this constitutes a "land grab". 0:33 'A symbol of the world's conscience' Israel has also established another military corridor in southern Gaza, calling it Morag corridor. The corridor is north of Rafah and has cut Gaza's second-largest city off from the rest of the territory. Israel says it has now taken control of 30% of the Gaza Strip and insists it will not withdraw. For Palestinians, the future has never looked more bleak. They are blockaded, displaced, struggling for food, water, basic sanitation and in constant search of safety. "Gaza is calling on the world to stand by it," Mr Al-Souri says.
