Megiddo Prison Mosaic Inscriptions
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” John 1:14
“…waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” Titus 2:13
In 2005, one of most remarkable and meaningful archeological finds for Christians was discovered beneath a modern Israeli prison near Megiddo. The mosaic floor of an early 3rd century prayer hall was uncovered and contains an inscription that declares “God Jesus Christ”. The prayer hall and mosaic inscription date to 230 AD, nearly 100 years before the legalization of Christianity by Roman Emperor Constantine and a mere 200 years after Christ’s death and resurrection. This is a very early extra Biblical attestation of the divinity of Jesus.
Near this site is a well known and well excavated Roman legionary base that dates to the 2nd - 3rd c AD. It guarded the Jezreel Valley, very near the archeological site of Tel Megiddo (a biblical site that has habitation layers from 7000 BC, through all the Biblical eras,the northern kingdom of Israel, controlled by whomever was in power in antiquity). The mosaic has another dedicatory inscription that names a roman centurion, Gaianus, as the donor of the mosaic floor. This stongly suggests that members of the roman military were Christians and worshiped with civilians. This could be a positive factor in the spread of Christianity along Roman military routes.
The 5 carpet mosaic has 3 inscriptions: 1. "The God-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial." 2. "Remember Primilla and Cyriaca and Dorothea, and lastly, Chreste." which is a remarkable testament to the role of women in the early church. and 3. "Gaianus, also called Porphyrius, centurion, our brother, has made the mosaic at his own expense as an act of generosity. Brutius has carried out the work." In the center of the mosaic floor was a stone platform made of two finely cut stones. Likely the center of the base of a table. Suggestive of use in worship, such as a table for the eucharist. The center of the mosaic is a decorative medallion with two fish in an octagon - the oldest symbol of Christianity, even before the cross.
The entire mosaic floor, all 5 carpets, is on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC, on loan from Israel. There is a wonderful documentary on the discovery of the mosaic, its preservation, and its removal from the prison called "The Mosaic Church" produced by Angel studies and streaming on the Angel Studio App (we found it on amazon prime video also). What an amazing testament to the way that God grew the early Christian Church!!
PS: we happened to be alone in the room and the museum guard allowed Craig to touch the mosaic - assuring us that there were no alarms or sensors - Craig told the guard "you touch it first" LOL.
The mosaic floor (mosaic carpet) of the prayer hall found on the grounds of the Megiddo prison in Israel. On display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC
