Lost Church 'Where Jesus Healed A Bleeding Woman' Unearthed In Caesarea Philippi

Is this the site of a Bible miracle? Lost church 'where Jesus healed a bleeding woman' is unearthed in the ancient Roman city of Caesarea Philippi

- Researchers recently uncovered a previously unknown church 'near the springs'
- It was found in the ancient, now nearly empty, Roman city of Caesarea Philippi
- The city is thought to be the location of the miracle of the bleeding woman
- Archaeologists found signs of rocks with crosses from 400 AD possibly made by pilgrims visiting the site that may have been deemed holy during the period

A long lost church thought to be where Jesus 'healed the bleeding woman', has been discovered by archaeologists buried underneath a path in an ancient Roman city.

Experts from the University of Haifa believe the church was within the ancient city of Banias that had been renamed Caesarea Philippi during the lifetime of Jesus.

Byzantine historian, Eusebius wrote that once the bleeding woman was healed she erected a statue to commemorate the miracle in a church by the springs in Caesarea Philippi - which is in the Golan Heights between Syria and Lebanon.

A recent archaeological dig in the city revealed a previously hidden church building that was underneath a path - near to the springs.

Professor Adi Erlich said ancient sources claim that the statue was later broken into pieces and those pieces were displayed and given as relics.

'We suggest that the church revealed by us might have been this church that was related to the miracle,' said Erlich.

While there is another church nearby, Dr Erlich believes the newly-discovered one is a better fit for the site of the biblical miracle.

'There is another church excavated some 30 years ago on the other side of the springs, but our little church is more of a memorial than a practical basilica for services,' the researcher explained.

'So it could have served as the place commemorating the event.'

The archaeologist and her colleague Ron Lavi also found a stone dating back to 400 AD, which is marked with crosses – perhaps carved by early pilgrims.

Traces of an earlier Roman space dedicated to the God, Pan, were found in the same place, suggesting it had been used by another religion previously.

She said: 'We found an altar with an inscribed dedication to the God, Pan, dedicated by a person from Antioch in Syria.

'We also found architectural elements, a cultic pool and a water aqueduct.'

The name Banias is itself believed to have come from the God, Pan, having mutated from an earlier name, Panias.

It's a mystery exactly why the ancient city, which is in the Golan Heights, ended up being abandoned.

'The Roman phase part was probably ruined and rebuilt [as a church] by the Christians,' said Dr Erlich.

'The first phase of the church was hit by an earthquake, with half of the building sinking about a metre.

'The second phase was abandoned, perhaps because of the decline of Christianity and the rise of Islam, but we can't tell for sure.'

The miracle of Jesus healing the bleeding woman is recounted in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.

The Bible says she had bled for 12 years but – despite the care of many doctors – had continued to get worse, so she resolved to approach Jesus.

She is said to have touched his cloak as he moved through a crowd, at which point she was instantly healed.

The subsequent Confession of Peter, when the apostle proclaims Jesus to be the messiah, might be even more important, with the revelation used by the Catholic Church to justify the papacy.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority ordered the excavation of the site at Banias to allow for conservation and to develop the place for tourism.

'Once conservation is over, everybody is welcome to come and visit,' said Dr Erlich.