Jordan church sites closed; ministry says for 'preservation'
AMMAN - The government on Wednesday rejected as baseless rumours it intends to permanently close down two key Christian sites in the eastern town of Rihab.
Community leaders in the town have been threatening to step up a protest they started after the archaeologist who discovered what is said to be the oldest cave church in the world was removed from his post as director of the former Rihab Archaeological and Research Centre, which is now called the Rihab Archaeological Project.
The discovery, albeit controversial, attracted world attention after it was first reported by The Jordan Times in June, with international media outlets sending teams to examine the site.
The cave church lies under a 3rd century church and is said to have been a hidden worshipping place for early Christians who fled persecution at the hands of Romans.
Read entire article at Jordan Times
Community leaders in the town have been threatening to step up a protest they started after the archaeologist who discovered what is said to be the oldest cave church in the world was removed from his post as director of the former Rihab Archaeological and Research Centre, which is now called the Rihab Archaeological Project.
The discovery, albeit controversial, attracted world attention after it was first reported by The Jordan Times in June, with international media outlets sending teams to examine the site.
The cave church lies under a 3rd century church and is said to have been a hidden worshipping place for early Christians who fled persecution at the hands of Romans.