The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Busra al-Sham in southern Syria is considered one of the ancient roofed church building in the world.
The church was built in 407 according to Busra calendar for 512 AD,
and it is located in the north of the Nabatean Gate and south of Monastery of Monk Bahira.
Speaking to SANA reporter, Anas Mikdad, who has PhD in Archaeology, said that the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, in cooperation with the Italian mission from Ravenna University, have removed the modern houses next to the church to showing the church’ structure and highlighting the hidden aspects of architecture and decorations in it.
The church has a round geometric shape as many churches were built in the same way, such as Apamea, Seleucia, and Resafa, and Byzantine cathedral in Aleppo, Church of St. George in Izraa in 515 AD and Church of St. John the Baptis in Jerash in 531 AD, Mikdad said.
The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus has 3 doors on all sides with windows , covered with marble and oil paintings ,some of which still exist , in addition to picture of Virgin Mary with her extended hands surrounded by angels, He indicated.
Mikdad noted that excavations that took place inside the church have showed the mosaic floor decorated with unique geometric drawings, while its western façade is wonderfully decorated with its arches,
columns, and decorations.
He added that most of it remained until the nineteenth century, extending in a rectangular form 9 meters wide, and 26 meters long.
It is noteworthy that the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums worked to restore and remove modern buildings to show its beauty in 1970.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency
