In Turkey, an ancient liturgical bread has been discovered, on which an image of Christ the Farmer and a Greek inscription of gratitude are preserved. The find, approximately 1,300 years old, is one of the most ancient of its kind.
Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered unique samples of ancient liturgical bread dating back about 1,300 years. One of them bears an image of Christ and a Greek inscription translating to “With Our Gratitude to the Blessed Jesus,” according to Arkeonews.
The discovery was made during excavations in the Topraktepe area, within the ancient city of Eirenopolis in the Karaman province. The five charred loaves date back to the 7th–8th centuries CE and, according to researchers, were used in early Christian Eucharist sacraments.
Of particular interest is the bread featuring the rare image of Christ the Farmer—a symbol of spiritual labor, fertility, and gratitude. This image noticeably differs from the conventional iconography of Christ Pantocrator.
The scientists note that the level of preservation of the artifacts is “extremely high”—despite their age, the imprints and inscriptions are discernible. This makes the find one of the most ancient material evidences of early Christian liturgical practices in Anatolia.
Ancient Eirenopolis was an important spiritual center in the Isauria region during the Byzantine period. Archaeologists believe the discovery helps to better understand the daily religious life of Christian communities and their symbolism, where faith was closely intertwined with agricultural labor and giving thanks for the harvest.
