PETER'S HOUSE

 

Fr. Tomás celebrating Mass-2004

Not only did Jesus make Capernaum his home, but it appears from scripture that some of the other disciples may have moved there. Located prominently in the ruins of Capernaum today is an excavation known as TheHouse of Peter. Underneath the modern church at this site are fifth and fourth-century churches, all built over the remains of a first-century dwelling/church. Archaeologists did not find in this dwelling the usual domestic utensils, but rather inscriptions and markings from early Christian pilgrims. They assume that it was an early Christian meeting place and place of pilgrimage from the first century. The remains of the ancient house appear large enough that Jesus and several disciples could have lived there in a sort of communal fashion. Interestingly, it is located just a stone's throw from the synagogue.

Jesus had denounced Capernaum as unrepentant and condemned it to Hades. Not only did the name Capernaum disappear, but later pilgrims and residents of the area retained no knowledge of the location of the site. Only in recent times, with the advent of archaeological investigations by the Franciscan Order, was the exact location of this important New Testament town and early Christian center recovered.

The most impressive archaeological remains at Capernaum are those of the beautiful White Synagogue, now partially reconstructed, and made of dressed stones. Many decorative fragments once ornamented its facade. Presumably, this was a traditional Jewish synagogue probably dating from the late third century. No uniquely Christian

symbols or graffiti appear in its remains and its identity as a traditional Jewish synagogue is free of reasonable doubt.

The magnificence of the structure may, but probably does not, reflect the prosperity of the town's Jewish inhabitants. Its size and opulence, extensive and elaborate inner and outer ornamentation, presumably was made possible through the financial support from Pharisaic Jewish donors residing outside Capernaum. The synagogue's splendor, uncharacteristic of and out of place in a minor fishing village and Christian pilgrim site, suggests some intentional vying with the Christian community and its popular, but humble, "House of Peter" shrine. The two facilities are immediately across from each other. Moreover, Jews continued as a significant source of Christian converts until at least as late as the fourth century and that Jewish Christianity was still significant in the fifth century". The actual date of the White Synagogue is a matter of some controversy. The original idea was that the synagogue dated to the first century CE and was, therefore, the one in which Jesus taught. Archaeologists abandoned this notion but they remain of divided opinion. Some support a second or early third century date and others a date in the 4th or early 5th century.

Visible below certain sections of the walls of the White Synagogue are the remains of an earlier synagogue, built of basalt, dating to Jesus' day and presumably it is the one in which Jesus taught. The elders of Capernaum in Jesus’ day referred to this earlier structure as having been by built by the Roman centurion garrisoned there, whom they held in high esteem. It is doubtful whether a minor fishing village the size of Capernaum, where the inhabitants looked to a Gentile to build a synagogue for them, could support more than one.

Considering the available evidence, it seems, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the small basalt synagogue is the one in which Jesus spoke. This conclusion does not have a basis in science, however, it is a working hypothesis open to further investigation and scrutiny. The White Synagogue lies above only portions of the earlier basalt synagogue of Jesus day. The Romans destroyed this earlier basalt synagogue in the course of the First Jewish Revolt.

It dates from the fourth century, probably from the time of Emperor Julian, when the imperial government gave the Jewish community permission to reconstruct the original synagogue there. The hypothesis of imperial financing seems confirmed by the presence of ornamental motifs such as eagles, lions, griffins, dates, acanthus, shells, etc.

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