A Chapel of St. Paul at Caesarea Maritima? The Inscriptions

Abstract

Several Greek inscriptions, accompanying large crosses of the crux gemmata type, were painted on fragments of plaster found among the debris of the second storey of Building I, one of several warehouses in Area KK. The texts included sacred formulas and quotations from the Church Fathers. An eulogia of St. Paul was also found here, as well as many marble fragments of church furnishing. It is suggested that the inscriptions and crosses decorated the walls of a private chapel, possibly dedicated to St. Paul. Though fragments of four epitaphs were also found in Area KK, the writer believes that their presence here was not connected to the chapel, and the latter was not used for burial.