Duderstadt Gallery: Section 10 - Churches

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CHRISTIANITY VERSUS POLYTHEISM
The Church of St. Paul is one of four churches at Antioch, each of which probably commemorated a different event or martyr. The Central Church near the Imperial Cult Sanctuary and the church at the Sanctuary of Mên Askaênos seem to have been placed strategically near these important sites of polytheist worship, as if to declare the triumph of Christianity over the old religions of the state and region. All four of Antioch’s churches were built within 100 years after the emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in AD 313. Wealthy members of Antioch’s Christian community supported the church generously even in this early period.

February 18, 2006
Digital Image
Courtesy of J. Matthew Harrington