Antioch: St. Peter's Church
We had the opportunity to visit Antakya (Ancient Antioch) for a friend’s wedding. While we were there, we had the opportunity to visit the Church of St. Peter! This church is located in the hillsides of the busy metropolis of Antakya. The church is actually a cave that was used by early Christians. While the cave itself is quite small, the architecture is fascinating. There is a small statue of St. Peter inside, as well as a plain stone altar. Stepping inside the church feels like stepping away from the crowded city and into another world.
St. Peter’s church was used as a church in the early days of Christianity, but it has also undergone some changes in recent years. The façade of the church with the arches was not finished until the 1800s under order from the Pope. The statue of St. Peter did not find its home in the church until the early 1900s.
One of my absolute favorite parts of visiting St. Peter’s church was the views it provided of the city. The cave is situated up on a hill, so the views from the front were absolutely spectacular. You could see almost the entire city of Antakya, as well as the beautiful backdrop of the Nur Mountain range.
A few fun facts about the cave church that I discovered:
The title “Christian” was actually coined and first used in Antakya.
The church now serves as a museum, which you can go visit just like I did! One service is held a year on June 29.
The church was made a holy site by Pope Paul VI, making it a pilgrimage site for many Christians.
I would absolutely encourage you to go and visit this church next time you find yourself in Antakya. It is a stunning natural feature, complemented by fascinating architecture. The views of the city are absolutely unmatched. The historical significance of the cave also makes it a worthwhile destination in my opinion. Next time you find yourself in Antakya, make sure you make time for a visit to St. Peter’s Church!
To our friends in the West, keep looking East!
Sydney Sawyer
Sydney Sawyer is a joy all-around! Although she grew up moving all over the states, she claims Huntsville, Alabama as home. She left Rocket City to study accounting at Mississippi College, which consists of lots of running, studying, and goofing off with her friends. Although Syd has only taken two accounting classes, she’s often given the label “beloved resident accountant and human calculator.” Some of Syd’s favorite things include hiking moderately-sized mountains, reading an obscene number of books, and blaring music in her car that is lovingly referred to as “Ethel.” Being Syd’s friend comes along with watching lots of documentaries, eating fajitas every other night, and giggling over the silliest of things. To know her is to love her!