![Evron Vasileios Tzapheres, “The Greek Inscriptions from the Early Christian Church at Evron,” Eretz-Israel; Archaeological, Historical and Geographical Studies 19 (1987): 36.](https://northeastinsulaeproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Evron.png)
Summary information
GPS coordinates: 32.99114, 35.10003
Coordinates are only approximate.
The church at Evron is a Byzantine fifth-century basilica, consisting of an open atrium, a nave and aisles, with three additional rooms (a diakonikon, a baptistery-with the remains of a fount, and a third room of unknown purpose) on the North side, and an open loggia on the South. a narthex was a later addition. The church was paved with mosaics, which contained, besides almost purely geometric ornaments, thirteen Greek inscriptions and one in Syriac; the inscriptions are dated A.D. 415-441-490. The church is remarkable by its lavish use of the XP [sic] sign in the pavements, the use of glass mosaics in the fifth century and the apparent use of three archaic Yod letters for the Holy Trinity.
“New and Notes,” Israel Exploration Journal, no. 2 (1952): 143.The church in its earliest phase comprised an open court – an atrium surrounded by a peristyle (with three columns in each portico), and a basilical prayer-hall (measuring 14.50 x 10.60 m, including aisles). The interior of the prayer-hall was divided into three by two rows of columns, five columns in each row. Beyond a third row of columns, south of the southern aisle, there was an additional hall , a sort of logia.
Although the eastern section of the church had been badly damaged by nature, the outlines of the apse were clearly visible. North of the apse were two small rooms (or chapels) which served the needs of the church and its worshippers. The church was paved throughout in colored mosaics, with geometrical motifs predominant, though birds and fish also appear. The cross motif is often used, especially the monogramatic cross, combining the Greek letters rho (P) and tau (T). This cross appears at the entrance to the nave, in the eastern aisle of the atrium, and in the two rooms north of the apse.
Vasileios Tzapheres, “The Greek Inscriptions from the Early Christian Church at Evron,” Eretz-Israel; Archaeological, Historical and Geographical Studies 19 (1987): 37.
The initial phase is dated by epigraphy to 415 CE (Inscription No. 7). The second stage of construction within the church is dated by epigraphy to 442-443 CE (Inscription No. 5), less than a generation after the initial construction of the building. New mosaic pavements were laid down in the prayer-hall and in both rooms north of the apse, which were now used as a diaconicon and a baptistery respectively. No architectural modifications were made in this stage. The third stage of construction is dated by epigraphy to 490 CE (Inscription No. 8), and reflects significant architectural renovations: (a) The eastern portico of the atrium was blocked and converted into a narthex, the walls of which immediately overlay the floors dating to the first stage. The chancel in the area of the apse was widened at the expense of the prayer-hall, and was contained by the addition of a screen. The inscriptions refer to the repair of the ceiling of the church in this stage, although no archaeological evidence is forthcoming to confirm this. There is no epigraphic evidence for any other building activities within the church after this third phase of construction, but the church certainly continued to exist throughout the sixth century and early seventh century CE.
Vasileios Tzapheres, “The Greek Inscriptions from the Early Christian Church at Evron,” Eretz-Israel; Archaeological, Historical and Geographical Studies 19 (1987): 37-38.
Eisenberg, Emanuel, and Alla Nagorski. “Tel Ḥevron (Er-Rumeidi).” Hadashot Arkheologiyot: Excavations and Surveys in Israel / חדשות ארכיאולוגיות: חפירות וסקרים בישראל 114 (2002): 91*-92*.
“New and Notes.” Israel Exploration Journal, no. 2 (1952): 140–44.
“Ten Years of Archaeology in Israel.” Israel Exploration Journal 8, no. 1 (1958): 52–65.
Tzapheres, Vasileios. “The Greek Inscriptions from the Early Christian Church at Evron.” Eretz-Israel; Archaeological, Historical and Geographical Studies 19 (1987): 36–53.
Characteristics
- Assumed to be tri-apsidal
- Π-shaped chancel added in third phase
- None
- The church was paved with mosaics, which contained, besides almost purely geometric ornaments, thirteen Greek inscriptions and one in Syriac; the inscriptions are dated A.D. 415-441-490. The church is remarkable by its lavish use of the XP [sic] sign in the pavements, the use of glass mosaics in the fifth century and the apparent use of three archaic Yod letters for the Holy Trinity.
- The church was paved throughout in colored mosaics, with geometrical motifs predominant, though birds and fish also appear. The cross motif is often used, especially the monogramatic cross, combining the Greek letters rho (P) and tau (T). This cross appears at the entrance to the nave, in the eastern aisle of the atrium, and in the two rooms north of the apse.
- West entrances
- South entrances from side room
- North entrance from diakonikon and baptistery
- Attached north rooms to the west (east end uncertain)
- Attached south room to the east (logia) separated by columns
- Baptistry outside off the atrium or the north aisle
Constantinopolitan
- Protruding apse
- Entrances from the east on either side of the apse
- Π-shaped chancel
- Multiple entrances on all sides
- Ambo on the south
- Exterior chapel to the north
Syrian
- Π-shaped chancel
- Inscribed mono-apsidal
- Room on both sides of the apse
- West entrance
- Ambo on south
- Baptistry in room south of the apse or in the south aisle
- Separate south chapel
- South entrances from side rooms/chapels
Roman
- Τ-shaped or bar-shaped chancel
- Tri-apsidal usually inscribed
- Altars in the side apses
- Relics and Reliquaries
- Ambo to the north
- Baptistry outside off the atrium or the north aisle
- Marble furnishings (high status imperial association) and imported fine wares
- Decorative elements on chancel screens [specify]
- Separate north chapel
Syrian to Roman conversion
- Τ-shaped or bar-shaped chancel replacing Π-shaped chancel
- Side apses inserted into rooms adjacent to the main apse
- Separate north chapel (suppressed south chapel)
- Liturgical furniture with decorative motifs like those at St. Clemente in Rome
Classification
Tri-apsidal and northern baptistry suggest a Roman form.
Roman
Τ-shaped or bar-shaped chancel?Π-shaped chancel added in third phase- Tri-apsidal usually inscribed [assumed]
Altars in the side apsesRelics and ReliquariesAmbo to the north- Baptistry outside off the atrium or the north aisle
Marble furnishings (high status imperial association) and imported fine waresDecorative elements on chancel screens [specify]Separate north chapel
The Archaeology of Liturgy Project reflects research conducted at the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem during 2023.