Church of the Martyrs, Jordan

Martyrs' Church

Dated to the 6th century, the basilica of 32 x 16 m had three doors on the facade. The bases and columns, as well as the capitals and the steps of the synthronon [semicircular bench in the apse for the clergy], are re-used from older Roman buildings. Two rows of ten columns and two pilasters each separate the central nave, tapering to the east, from the side naves. The presbyterium, which is two steps higher than the nave and enclosed by a chancel screen, extends into the nave as far as the third pair of columns.

The mosaic had already been damaged in earlier times and suffered further damage during the excavation. In spite of iconoclastic mutilation of the mosaic floor which was repaired by filling the holes with lime mortar, the decoration is still legible in its general outlines and in many of its motifs.