Türkiye church emerges

CLIMATE: SUBMERGED BASILICA REVEALED AS LAKE WATERS RECEDE >>> Town hopes Pope Leo's visit will bring religious tourism to Iznik.

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FAITH. When it was discovered a decade ago, the 4th-century basilica of Nicaea was totally submerged, its importance to early Christian history hidden beneath the waters of a lake in northwestern T rkiye.

(Pictures: AFP)

When it was discovered a decade ago, the 4th-century Basilica of Nicaea was totally submerged, its importance to early Christian history hidden beneath a lake in northwestern Türkiye.

Now, the church in Iznik, a small town several hours from Istanbul, stands on dry land, its ruins exposed as the waters that engulfed it for more than 700 years have receded due to climate change.

Known as the Basilica of the Holy Fathers, it marks the site of one of the early Catholic Church's most important gatherings which took place in Nicaea 12 years after the Roman Empire legalised Christianity, ending years of persecution, torture and death.