Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered a third century mural depicting Jesus as the great shepherd.
The mural, which stays in relatively good condition, is the centrepiece of various frescoes in an underground tomb within the Hisardere necropolis near the town of Iznik.
While Iznik might not be a well-recognized name to many, its ancient name of Nicaea could also be higher known to Christians.
In 325 AD it was the location of the First Council of Nicaea, a pivotal event in early Christianity when Constantine, the primary Christian Roman Emperor, invited church leaders from all around the known world to resolve key problems with doctrine.
The result was the Nicene Creed, the fundamental declaration of Christian belief that every one major denominations, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox, are built upon.
The newly discovered Iznik mural depicts Jesus as a young man in a straightforward tunic carrying a sheep on his shoulders. He is carrying a date palm, an emblem of everlasting life and resurrection.
Other images depicted on the frescoes are a deceased aristocratic couple on a funerary platform and a symposium with servants. No crosses are shown as early Christians were often cautious within the imagery they used because of persecution.
While the invention of the mural occurred in August of last yr, it was not made public until November, shortly after Pope Leo XIV visited Iznik.
The Pope was within the town to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. During his trip to Turkey he was reportedly presented with a tile reproduction of the fresco by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Archaeologists are hoping that the invention will provide greater insight into the lives of early Christians and plans are afoot to start restoration work on the traditional artwork.
 Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered a...){kind=link}