Restored Byzantine church re-opens in Gaza
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Palestine, the cradle of heavenly religions, sees the restoration of a fifth-century Byzantine church.
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Visitors can now gaze at the mosaics from newly-built elevated walkways (AFP)
Following a three-year restoration project, the remains of a fifth-century Byzantine church were unveiled in Gaza on Monday.
The remains of a church and monastery were first discovered in Jabalia, northern Gaza, in 1997 over an area spanning roughly 800 square meters (957 square yards).
The church floor is adorned with rare mosaics, including depictions of animals, hunting scenes, and palm trees.
Visitors can now gaze at the mosaics from newly-built elevated wooden walkways.
Gaza's Tourism Ministry said the church's original walls were adorned with religious texts written in ancient Greek dating from the era of Emperor Theodosius II, who ruled Byzantium from the year 408 to 450.
At a ceremony marking the site's re-opening, the top Christian cleric in Gaza, Archbishop Alexios of Tiberias, recalled Christianity's long history in the coastal territory, noting that "monasticism began in the Gaza strip in the year 280."
But the number of Christians in Gaza has been in decline for years, many of who emigrated, due to the oppression and arbitrary measures of the Israeli occupation.
According to local church officials, there remain only about 1,000 Christians, compared to 7,000 before 2007.
Issam Al-Daalis, who heads the government works department in Gaza, said the site's restoration was an example of brotherhood "embracing" in Gaza.
The restoration was carried out by the French organization Premiere Urgence Internationale at a cost of almost $250,000. The British Council also supported the work.
About 2.3 million people live in Gaza, which has been blockaded by "Israel" since 2007.
