Basilica of Saint Neophytos explained

Basilica of Saint Neophytos is the name of a defunct, underwater basilica in Lake İznik, modern-day Turkey. Coordinates: 40.4258225,29.7095841 visible just off shore.

History

In 2014 the underwater Byzantine Basilica of Saint Neophytos, dedicated to Saint Neophytos, was discovered in Lake İznik, modern-day Turkey. The basilica had been built in the place where he was killed on the shore of the lake and subsequently became submerged after an earthquake AD740.^{[1] [2]}

It is possible, according to researchers, that the basilica was built as a result of the First Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine the Great in the year 325.^[3]

Its discovery was included in the list of top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2014 released by Archaeological Institute of America.^[4]

References

1. Web site: Basilica in Lake İznik to become underwater museum . Hürriyet Daily News. 2015-04-07. 2018-09-18.
2. https://www.dailysabah.com/life/history/underwater-st-neophytos-basilica-resurfaces-with-retreat-of-lake-iznik Underwater St. Neophytos basilica resurfaces with retreat of Lake Iznik
3. Web site: 1,600-year-old Byzantine basilica found under water in Turkey--Aleteia. aleteia.org. 2018-09-18.
4. Web site: Basilica buried under water among the top 10 archeological discoveries of 2014. Daily Sabah. 2018-09-19.

External Links

https://www.pbs.org/video/the-sunken-basilica-0ysjhx/ PBS video "Secrets of the Dead: The Sunken Basilica"

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4258225,29.7095841,174m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu Google Maps URL close up of site.