Saint Ananias House Explained

House of Saint Ananias
Location:Straight Street, Ancient City Damascus
Country:Syria
Denomination:Syriac Maronite Church
Founded Date:Early Christianity
Dedication:Ananias of Damascus
Status:Active church
Diocese:Maronite Catholic Archeparchy of Damascus
Archbishop:Samir Nassar

The House of Saint Ananias (also called Saint Ananias House or Chapel of Saint Ananias; Arabic: كَنيسَةُ الْقِدِّيسِ حَنَانِيَا|Kanīsat al-Qiddīs Ḥanāniyā) is an ancient underground structure in Damascus, Syria, that is said to be the remains of the home of Ananias of Damascus, where Ananias baptized Saul (who became Paul the Apostle).[1] The building is at the end of the Street Called Straight near the Bab Sharqi (Eastern Gate).[2]

History

Archaeological excavations in 1921 found the remains of a Byzantine church from the 5th or 6th century AD, adding physical evidence to support local tradition that the chapel has an early-Christian origin.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/010507/2001050705.html Saint Ananias Chapel
  2. http://www.hackwriters.com/syria1.htm hackwriters.com - Christian Sites in Damascus - Habeeb Salloum
  3. Book: Rainer Riesner . Rainer Riesner . Paul's Early Period: Chronology, Mission Strategy, Theology . William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company . 1998 . 86–87.