The Kathisma Church and Monastery of Mary Theotokos on the Jerusalem-Bethlehem Road : Final Report of the 1992, 1997, 1999 and 2000 Excavation Seasons / Rina Avner ; with contributions by Donald T. Ariel [and five others]
Front Matter -- Contents -- Abbreviations -- Preface -- Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chapter 2: The Octagonal Church-Architecture and Stratigraphy -- Chapter 3: The Entrance Atria and the Monastery-Architeture and Stratigraphy -- Chapter 4: The Mosaic Floors -- Chapter 5: The Inscriptions -- Chapter 6: Architectural Elements and Liturgical Furniture -- Chapter 7: The Coins -- Chapter 8: The Pottery -- Chapter 9: The Glass Finds -- Chapter 10: The Kathisma Church in Its Historical Context in the Early Islamic Period -- Chapter 11: Summary and Discussion -- References
Appendix 1: A Rhodian Stamped Amphora Handle from Kathisma -- Appendix 2: List of Selected Loci and Walls -- List of IAA Reports
Summary
This volume documents the excavations of the Kathisma church and monastery located on the ancient road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Kathisma is mentioned in Byzantine sources and pilgrimage itineraries, and identified as the holy place where Mary sat down to rest in her final stage of pregnancy before giving birth to Jesus. It played a role in the initial stages of Mary's worship and its influence is still felt today. The octagonal church, built in the fifth century CE, is one of the most important discoveries of Early Christian architecture in the Holy Land in recent decades. The size of the c
Notes
Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on June 08, 2022)
