Umm al-Rasas-Kastron Mefaa : le complexe ecclésiastique de Saint-Paul

Abstract

The article carefully inspects the plan and detailed lies of the ecclesiastical complex, digged since 1992, between "St Stephen's complex" and the "Church of the Lions", north to the area of the castron. The place of worship firstly digged was the one nave "Chapel of the Peacoks", covered by flat stones on transversal arches. In the sanctuary, the altar's stone base was placed against the wall of the apse (this is quite uncommon, but this place is the same in the "Chapel of the column" in the St. Stephen's complex). The base of an offering table was equally placed against the chancel, south. Moreover a room placed north was equipped by a table. St. Paul's church has been named after an invocatory formula engraved on a tile. It is a three naves church: the two side naves are covered by stones; the apse is framed by two raised and vaulted spaces, provided by niches. A beautiful mosaic embellishes the apse. On this mosaic have been placed firstly four foot- bases for the altar, then a massive altar base. A side table is placed north against the chancel. The nave's mosaic is of high quality, dating of the bishop Sergius' period, as well as in the "Chapel of the Peacocks ". Unfortunately the date is lost in the dedicatory inscription (Chapel of the Peacocks) or unprecise (Church of St. Paul). For the author, this exceptional agglomeration of churches can be explained supposing the existence of a sort of religious meeting place for semi-nomadic christianised tribes. [Red.]