Birthplace of Saint Peter, two other apostles of Jesus found in Israel: Archaeologist

Researchers may have found the home town of Peter and two other apostles of Jesus near the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel, an archaeologist said.

Israeli and American archaeologists have likely uncovered the lost Roman city of Julias near the banks of the lake, also known as Lake Tiberias, said Mordechai Aviam of Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archeaology.

First century Roman historian Flavius Josephus wrote that Julias was built around 30 AD on the ruins of Bethsaid, a fishing village where Peter was born according to the Gospel of John.

Christians recognise Saint Peter, originally a fisherman, as one of the first followers of Jesus and the leader of the early Church following the ascension.

The site, not far from the Jordan River, is a few hundred metres from Lake Tiberias.

Water levels would have been far higher during the first century.

Work is also being carried out on another site a few miles away, Aviam added.

He said he hoped further excavations would reveal evidence from pre-Roman times, including ancient Jewish remains, which could help verify whether the site is Bethsaida.

The site is near the land where Luke’s gospel reports the miracle of Jesus feeding five thousand people with only five loaves of bread and two fish.

The site is not far from the Jordan River, a few hundred metres from Lake Tiberias. This image shows a man walking next to the site on Sunday

Two other apostles, Philip and Peter’s brother Andrew, are also believed to have been born or lived in Bethsaida

 The location in Northern Israel is believed to be the location of a biblical village that was home to Saint Peter

It is hoped further excavations will reveal evidence from pre-Roman times, including ancient Jewish remains, which could help verify whether the site is Bethsaida.

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Source :  http://www.reportweb.co/birthplace-of-saint-peter-two-other-apostles-of-jesus-found-in-israel-archaeologist/