In the northern part of Naples, Italy, the Catacomb of San Gennaro started as a pagan burial place in the second century, and Christians began to use it around the third century. Over a 300-year period, as the church grew, they placed the remains of many local bishops and believers there. Like other early Christian catacombs, San Gennaro was decorated with frescoes and mosaics, some of which still remain visible on its walls and ceilings. In 2009 researchers found frescos portraying Bitalia and Cerula.
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Story by Carina O. Prestes
In the fifth century, the priest Peter Illyria built the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome over a former house church. Above the door of the main entrance there is a mosaic portraying two women: one is identified as representing the church of the circumcised and the other as representing the church of the Gentiles. Both are portrayed with the familiar hand gestures displayed by religious teachers of that era and hold a large open book (likely the Bible). Such iconography was typically used to identify bishops. In addition, the woman representing the church of the Gentiles holds a cloth over her left arm, which only priests used when serving the eucharist.
Story by Jerry Woods
More than 3,400 WGTS listeners turned out for “An Evening of Worship” with Chris Tomlin at Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge, Va.
“It seems like every Chris Tomlin show is more like a huge worship service,” said WGTS Morning Show Host and Promotions Director Jerry Woods. “For the majority of the show people were on their feet, many with their hands in the air, singing along with every song. It’s was a moving night.”
Story by Christina Keresoma
Jerry Burrey has always been a hardworking man. He is a builder, and when his brother asked him to come over and help remove some bushes from his yard, he was there. His brother left to get something from his truck, but Burrey kept working. Soon his cellphone rang, and when he looked at it, he saw it was his brother. He thought that it was a mistake, so he declined the call. It rang again, so he answered it questionably. He heard mumbling and knew something was wrong. Burrey ran around the house and found his brother lying face down by his truck. He had suffererd a heart attack and was rushed to Sycamore Medical Center.
Story by Samantha Rivera
On the outside, New Jersey Conference's Lake Nelson Adventist Academy (LNAA), located in Piscataway, doesn’t look like your typical academy. It’s small exterior is a major deception to the big things happening inside. Just by looking at the school, you wouldn’t be able to tell how much of an impact it makes on the students who attend.
Historia de V. Michelle Bernard
La iglesia Atholton de la Conferencia de Chesapeake en Columbia, Maryland, se encontraba entre las muchas iglesias alrededor de la Unión de Columbia que organizaron reuniones de evangelismo de otoño centradas en la comunidad. Además de las presentaciones del pastor principal Franke Zollman, tituladas “En busca del significado: arqueología y la Biblia”, se invitó a los asistentes a ver su colección de artefactos de los tiempos b.blicos.
Story by Heidi Shoemaker
Ron Halvorsen Jr, Ohio Conference president, has accepted an invitation from the Washington Conference to return to pastoral ministry. Halvorsen and his wife Beth “Buffy” Verico Halvorsen, MS, LCMFT, have served in the Ohio Conference since February 2014. During his tenure as president, Halvorsen has focused upon prayer, discipling and young people.