Puzzle with ancient Greek inscription dating back 1500 years to the birth of Christ

The Greek inscription found by archaeologists is associated with Christ and Armageddon. Source: Tzachi Lange and Einat Ambar Armon, Israel Antiquities Authority

Archaeologists are excavating the village of Taybeh, located in Wadi Megiddo (also known as the Jezreel Valley) In Israel they discovered an inscription that reads: “The Messiah born of Mary.”

The stone inscription is inscribed in Greek and was found at the entrance to a building dating back to the late 5th century AD. During the Byzantine or early Islamic period.

Excavations in the building led to the discovery of two rooms with mosaic floors decorated with geometric designs. Lea De Segni, a researcher at the Institute of Archeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said that the inscription is dedicated to Jesus, son of Mary, and it reads: “Christ was born of Mary. This work was done by the pious and devout bishop [Θεοδό]SEO and wretched w[ωμά] Built from the ground up. Whoever enters, let him pray over them.”

What is its relationship to Armageddon?

According to Christian eschatology, the valley is the site of the final battle between the forces of good and evil, commonly referred to as Armageddon. The term “Armageddon” comes from the Hebrew words “Har Megiddo” meaning “Mount Megiddo”.

Theodosius, mentioned in the text as the founder of the building, was one of the first Christian bishops in the region. He had religious authority in the city She'an's house Which served as the capital of the Byzantine province of Palestine.

According to researchers, the inscription aims to provide protection from… Evil eye They have been found in other sites throughout the Byzantine world. Walid Al-Atrash of the Israel Antiquities Authority said: “This is the first evidence of the presence of the Byzantine church in the village of Taybeh, and is in addition to other discoveries that testify to the activities of Christians who lived in the region.”