a guide to THE SEVEN CHURCHES
ISBN 978-975-7199-66-3
Fatih Cimok (author), 96 pp, 22 x 20 cm,
60 colour pictures, available in English,
French, German, Italian, Spanish,
retail price in Turkey € 15.00.
This is a travel companion, following a historical background of Anatolia, the Imperial cult and life of St John, deals with his Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia: Ephesus,Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyateira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
As there has been little excavation in some of these cities, not much is known about the material culture of their early Christian phases. At those sites where excavations have revealed traces of many church buildings, none is older than the mid-fourth century, probably dating from the reign of the Byzantine emperor Constantius (337-61), son of Constantine the Great. Even if there were churches built before this time they must have been destroyed during the persecutions of Diocletian which began in 303. In any case, there is little chance of encountering church building of this early period, as the Christians are thought to have met and prayed in large houses, grottos or outdoors.
ISBN 978-975-7199-66-3
Fatih Cimok (author), 96 pp, 22 x 20 cm,
60 colour pictures, available in English,
French, German, Italian, Spanish,
retail price in Turkey € 15.00.
This is a travel companion, following a historical background of Anatolia, the Imperial cult and life of St John, deals with his Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia: Ephesus,Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyateira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
As there has been little excavation in some of these cities, not much is known about the material culture of their early Christian phases. At those sites where excavations have revealed traces of many church buildings, none is older than the mid-fourth century, probably dating from the reign of the Byzantine emperor Constantius (337-61), son of Constantine the Great. Even if there were churches built before this time they must have been destroyed during the persecutions of Diocletian which began in 303. In any case, there is little chance of encountering church building of this early period, as the Christians are thought to have met and prayed in large houses, grottos or outdoors.