Vatican unearths 'Apostle Paul's' coffin |
Europe |
Written by Chris Perver |
Tuesday, 05 December 2006 17:00 |
This link from my friend Cliff... Didn't know what heading to put this under, but I think it's interesting news. The Vatican has declared it has finally unearthed the sarcophagus of what is believed to contain the bones of the Apostle Paul, executed by Emperor Nero around 60 AD. On order of Emperor Constantine, the grave had a basilica erected around it. A second church was built by Emperor Theodosius on the site where Paul's remains are believed to be buried, and a third church was built in the 1800's to replace the previous one that was destroyed by fire... Quote: "The sarcophagus, which dates back to at least A.D. 390, has been the subject of an extended excavation that began in 2002 and was completed last month, the project's head said this week. "Our objective was to bring the remains of the tomb back to light for devotional reasons, so that it could be venerated and be visible," said Giorgio Filippi, the Vatican archaeologist who headed the project at St. Paul Outside the Walls basilica. The interior of the sarcophagus has not yet been explored, but Filippi didn't rule out the possibility of doing so in the future. What a name, Giorgio "Filippi"! Makes me very sad to see sincere Catholics worshipping a dead man's bone, rather than worshipping the God Paul faithfully served in life and in death. If only they would take the example of the jailor of Philippi, who cried out, "What must I do to be saved!". Maybe then they would understand it's only through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ that we can be saved and be in heaven. |
|