Site Early Christians Revered Is Found

Archeologists have uncovered the spot where early Christians believed Mary rested on her way to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. The large octagonal church now being excavated was discovered last month while contractors were laying a water pipe for construction workers at nearby Har Homa, a planned Jewish settlement on the edge of traditionally Arab East Jerusalem. The site is midway between the Old City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The 5th century Byzantine church is built around a rock known as Kathisma--”the seat” in Greek. The rock is thought to have been Mary’s resting place.