Germany: Archaeologists Find Oldest Physical Evidence of Christianity in Northern Europe
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – In an extraordinary discovery, archaeologists in Frankfurt, Germany have uncovered the oldest physical evidence of Christianity in northern Europe: a 1,750 year-old amulet containing a minuscule silver scroll inscribed with praise to Jesus Christ, Christian Today reports.
The amulet was discovered in the soil during the 2018 excavations of a Roman-era grave that dates between 230 and 270 AD, CT reports. Following challenges in deciphering the writing on the tiny, fragile scroll within the amulet, confirmation of the inscription was only published on December 11, CT reports.
“Holy! Holy! Holy! In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God. … Protect the man who surrenders himself to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, since before Jesus Christ every knee bows,” the inscription has now been confirmed to read.
It is believed the amulet was worn by a Christian man on a cord around his neck. “At the time, the Roman Empire controlled the Frankfurt region, making the open practice of Christianity dangerous. It remains unclear whether the man practiced his faith publicly or in secret,” CT said in its report.
“This religious artifact has raised fresh questions for archaeologists, historians and theologians about the spread of Christianity to northern Europe during its formative years,” CT added.
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