Resource: Turkey's Early Christian Roots

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The most sacred place in the world for Christians is the Holy Land because of ancient sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulcher , the most revered site in Christianity. Turkey, however, actually possesses more relics from Christian antiquity than any other country in the world.

Located between the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Black Sea to the north, modern-day Turkey, with its extraordinary history, is the site of many ancient civilizations. The Greeks established settlements there as early as 1200 BCE. They were conquered by Persia in the sixth and fifth centuries BCE, but regained control of the region under Alexander the Great. The area remained a Greek state until it was consumed by the Roman Empire in the first century BCE.

Although Jesus lived his life in and around the Roman province of Judea, after his death his disciples scattered all over the ancient world to escape religious persecution. Many settled in Turkey and began preaching the Gospel. The New Testament offers accounts of their lives and describes important events in the region. Scholars believe St. Paul and St. John the Evangelist preached the Gospel in the ancient city of Ephesus, home to the Temple of Artemis.

One historically prominent city is Hierapolis, a once-thriving urban center now known for its ancient sites, most notably the Christian basilica built by Emperor Justinian in the fifth century BCE. Another is the ancient city of Laodicea, located far inland along a fertile plain that was ideal for grazing animals and supported a prosperous wool trade. Today, Laodicea contains one of the most well-preserved ancient Roman stadiums. This city flourished until the fifth century when a number of devastating earthquakes destroyed its structure.

Nicaea, a city in the northwestern region of Turkey and the site of present-day Iznik, rose to prominence in large part for its location on the Sea of Marmara. During the reign of the Emperor Constantine, the first Ecumenical Council met in Nicaea to decide upon formal church doctrine. The Council chose the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for the New Testament, and decreed the remaining gospels heretical and destroyed them. The Nicene Creed also established the nature of Jesus Christ as "of one substance with the father," a sacred belief still held by many Christians today.

Constantinople, the site of present-day Istanbul, was also of great importance to early Christianity due to its namesake, Emperor Constantine I (272-337 CE), the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire. Among his many reforms, Constantine established the Edict of Milan, ensuring religious tolerance for Christians following their persecution during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. When Constantine founded the city, the power shifted from Rome in the West to Constantinople in the East. Under Constantine's rule, the city increased its population, resources, commerce and scholarship, while Western Europe remained a backwater until the Renaissance.

Print Questions for Discussion

• What is the relationship between history and religious beliefs in this video?
• Why is it important to know the history of early Christian sites and doctrine? Explain.
• Why do you think Turkey's early Christian roots are largely unknown?
• As the Turkish government thinks about the preservation and restoration of some of their Christian sites, what do you think are some of the issues (pro and con) they struggle with?