*By Rula Samain
Anovia- Having spent much of my childhood in Madaba, I have seen the mosaic map countless times, and heard the familiar tales of its historical significance. Yet, it was not until recently that I realised that this remarkable artifact, which visually documents the Christian era, has a lot to tell about Gaza during that time.
The inclusion of Gaza on the mosaic map triggered my curiosity, which was satisfied through reading from the Gaza Department of Antiquities, and a research paper titled Christian Topography of Byzantine Gaza, written by Moain Sadeq in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science. The study notes that Gaza was not only a thriving port city but also an intellectual centre whose bishops, monasteries and schools contributed to shaping early Christian scholarship across the Eastern Mediterranean.
Gaza’s appearance on the mosaic map of Madaba stands as a testament to its stature. Situated at the crossroads between Canaan in Asia and Egypt in Africa, Gaza’s geostrategic significance made it acquire an extraordinary importance on all levels throughout history. By the end of the third century AD, Christianity had begun to expand in Gaza and the villages surrounding it, placing the city as a focal point within the Christian world and positioning it as a crucial hub for pilgrimages between the holy sites of Palestine and the expansive Sinai Peninsula.
Historical sources affirm that Gaza grew into an influential episcopal seat. One of the lesser-known but significant facts is that Gaza hosted a prominent monastic movement led by figures such as Hilarion of Gaza, whose disciples later established monasteries stretching all the way to the Nile Delta. Another fact highlighted by Sadeq’s research is that Gaza’s Christian scholars were actively engaged in theological debates of the Byzantine period, producing treatises and hymns that circulated widely in the region—a reminder that Gaza’s intellectual output once shaped spiritual thought far beyond its borders.
As a sign of its importance, a Cathedral was built in 407 AD, headed by Bishop Porphyry, whose mission marked a turning point for the Christianisation of the city. Ruins of the church were uncovered inside the Omari Mosque.
Extensive archaeological excavations unveiled discoveries ranging from churches to exquisitely crafted mosaic pavements, showing the dominance of Christianity in Gaza and its neighbouring villages during the Byzantine period. One of the most remarkable findings is the large mosaic floors discovered in Jabalia and Khirbet al-Balakhiyya, which art historians describe as among the most refined examples of Byzantine artistry in the southern Levant—an echo of Gaza’s once-flourishing spiritual and artistic life.
The mosaic map, dated into the Christian period during the reign of Justinian (527–565 AD), shows the entire city of Gaza, including churches, the main colonnaded streets intersecting in the centre of the city, city gates and wall, a huge platform that served as the remains of a water clock marking the hours by both a bell and moving bronze figures. Also depicted is the theatre, shown through a massive semi-circular structure in the south-eastern corner of the city, and the villages surrounding Gaza, mainly Beit Lahya and an-Nazla.
It is important to acknowledge the deep historical roots of Christianity in Gaza and Palestine, tracing back to Saint Hilarion, a native of Gaza born in Thabatha in 291 AD.
Byzantine Gaza now lies beneath the modern Gaza Strip. Due to the intensive population, archaeologists can only identify the exact locations of most Byzantine villages and describe their massive buildings, techniques, decorative elements and mosaic pavement inscriptions.
As Anovia has always believed, heritage is not just a memory; it is a responsibility. And today, as the world bears witness to the relentless killing of innocent people and the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, including its rich historical treasures, it becomes painfully clear that urgent action is needed.
Gaza is home to layers of human history that belong not only to Palestinians but to the cultural conscience of the world. The people of Gaza are not merely statistics; they are human beings enduring unimaginable suffering, carrying with them stories, heritage and hopes that deserve to be preserved.
*Anovia magazine Founder and CEO, writer specialized in Interfaith Dialogues, Peace and reconciliation
