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flag A 4th-century basilica in Turkey, linked to the First Council of Nicaea, has reemerged from a shrinking lake due to climate change.

flag A 4th-century basilica in Iznik, Turkey, has emerged from a receding lake due to climate change, revealing a site of major early Christian significance. flag Known as the Basilica of the Holy Fathers, it stands on the location of the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, where bishops formulated the Nicaean Creed. flag Built around AD 380 on the site of a church where a young martyr, Neophytus, was executed in AD 303, the structure was destroyed by earthquakes in 358 and 1065, then submerged for centuries. flag Archaeologists led by Mustafa Sahin discovered the site in 2014 and have since uncovered around 300 graves, many showing signs of violent death and torture, indicating it served as a martyrs’ graveyard. flag The upcoming visit by Pope Leo XIV to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the council is expected to increase pilgrimage interest in Iznik, highlighting Turkey’s role in early Christianity.

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