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| English: Parish church Saint Vinzenz - Sacred Heart altar - Mary of Magdala washes the feet of Jesus Locality: Heiligenblut Community:Heiligenblut Deutsch: Pfarrkirche Hl. Vinzenz - Herz-Jesu-Altar - Jesus und die Fußwaschung durch Maria Magdalena Ort: Heiligenblut Gemeinde:Heiligenblut (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Mary of Magdala, popularly known as Mary Magdalene, is one of the figures in the Bible's New Testament which has been the subject for many discussions. She was one of the women who stayed with Jesus Christ until his crucifixion, while his apostles were afraid to be around at places where they could be recognised as followers or disciples of Christ.
Mary of Magdala was not at all afraid to show her face and wanted to be close to the one she liked very much. She was also among the first persons to whom the resurrected Christ showed himself.
It is known that Jesus went to many places and proclaimed the Kingdom of God in them. It is not sure he also taught at the synagogue of Magdala.
The synagogue of Magdala, at the moment, is the only synagogue of the time of Christ been discovered discovered in the area Galilee. It could be possible that Jesus preached there.
Magdala may be one of the most important finds discovered in Israel in the last fifty years.
Along with the synagogue which is considered ornate, with mosaic flooring and frescoes, an ancient altar or "bimah" was also uncovered. This is now being called "the Magdala Stone" by archaeologists.
The archaeologists also uncovered a 2,000-year-old bowl, which may have even been used by Jesus Christ to wash His hands before entering the synagogue.
In addition to these, Dr. Marcela Zapata, an archaeologist, said her team also found coins and pots, which needed some restoration, in the site.
"Each piece tells a story about the common life—about the cooking, about the materials,"Zapata explained.
At the site bought by Father Juan Solana, normally a Christian retreat house would be build.
Solana said he hopes these new discoveries will strengthen the faith of Christians and Jews alike.
"It is not for me. This is for millions of people that will come see this, will enjoy this as I did, and hopefully will be able to discover our common roots at the center," Solana said.
