Israel’s antiquities body claimed Tuesday to have solved “one of Jerusalem’s greatest archaeological mysteries” by unearthing an ancient Greek citadel — the Acra — buried under a car park.
CHR Comment: The citadel built by Antiochus IV Epiphanes during the time between the testaments was likely buried when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Source: ‘Ancient Greek citadel’ discovered under Jerusalem car park
‘Church of Spies’ by Mark Riebling tells the gripping history of the Vatican’s covert operations during World War II.
CHR Comment: An extensive article about Vatican activities during World War II.
Source: When the Pope Ordered the Death of Adolf Hitler | Mental Floss
Barcelona basilica should be finished by 2026, except for a few touches.
CHR Comment: Out of deference to God, the building is a little shorter than the nearby mountains. After 130 years of building, four different architects, and surviving the Spanish Civil War, the project is nearly complete. The article includes a link to the basilica’s website.
Source: Barcelona basilica nears completion after more than 130 years
Two weeks of diving uncovered centuries of sunken ships, and researchers are deciphering the clues contained in each.
CHR Comment: Twelve of the 22 wrecks date from the late Roman period (300-600 AD) when Christianity was ascendant or dominant in the empire. Excavations should yield new information about life in those times and perhaps also matters of faith.
Source: Stunned Archaeologists Find 22 Ancient Greek Shipwrecks
The Greek island of Lesbos has been struggling to care for the Syrian refugees who’ve reached its shores. Now, it’s struggling to find space to bury the ones who haven’t.
CHR Comment: Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Muslim clergy will hold an interfaith service to commemorate the many who have died.
The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay is taking action to shut down a fake Twitter account.
CHR Comment: Identity theft and false solicitations caused Bishop David Ricken to take action and request that Twitter remove the false account. The convenience of social media also allows convenient abuse of Christian activities.
CHR Comment: An Aid to the Church in Need representative predicts that the c. 260,000 Christians in the region could be martyred or forced to emigrate if the ISIS Caliphate continues to grow. The article questions what Christians in other parts of the world should or could do to help Iraqi believers.
Source: ‘Convert or Die’: In a caliphate-ridden Iraq, Christians face ultimate choice | Fox News
Tours of new vegetable garden beds were part of the festivities marking the outreach mission’s anniversary.
CHR Comment: This soup kitchen service to the homeless at First Presbyterian in Dallas is still developing new programs after 40 years.
Source: Stewpot still growing to help homeless after 40 years | Dallas Morning News
Book now! Egypt: faith after the pharaohs, at the British Museum. 29 October 2015 – 7 February 2016.
CHR Comment: The Center for Early African Christianity brought this British Museum exhibit to my attention, which describes the transition of Egypt from polytheism to monotheism, including the centuries when rulers were Christian. There remains a sizeable number of Christians in Egypt to this day, known as the Copts.
Campaigns occasionally get compared to religious movements, so it’s not surprising to see the term ‘amen corner’ in greater use.
CHR Comment: The phrase refers to the practice in Baptist and similar traditions of affirming point in the pastor’s sermon by saying aloud, “Amen.” A related term would be “Preaching to the choir,” which is usually a well-spring of Amens.
Source: When things get tough, politicians look to the ‘amen corner’ – CSMonitor.com
church history review 