Possible origin of the Altar and Communion rite in the Megiddo prison mosaic.

An interview with Dan (Danchu) Arnon.

Dan Arnon wrote several books on Jerusalem, Jewish Holydays, and Hebrew rituals, Shomronites, and hats of Jerusalem. Currently owns a company of guides, called "Rosh Yarok" which organizes lectures, and tours in Israel.

As an experienced guide, I'd like you to share your thoughts regarding the findings of the ancient Church in Megiddo prison. Could you explain the significance of the findings?

I'd love to, but first, let me mention that I have no first hand knowledge of the findings. What I will share with you and your readers is only what I conclude from what I read in the newspapers.
 
I understand that the mosaic mentions a table. I would like to elaborate on the meaning of this finding, but first, perhaps its best to talk about the beginning of Christianity. Perhaps the most important thing about Christianity's origin, is that not much is known about it. In the Roman empire of the first century lived several million Jews but only a couple of thousands Christians. Today, Christianity is the most wide spread religion in the world, yet we know so little of its origin, and whatever we do know about the early Christians comes from Christian origins, and is suspected to be somewhat biased.

Textual evidence surviving from that era is very hard to find. Leather, the paper of ancient times, doesn’t preserve very well, so most of the texts are found on mosaics. From what I have seen, the mosaic text is in a very good shape, and this kind of luck is quite uncommon.

Researchers of Christianity argue about the origin of the Eucharist. Many of them think that the early Christians did not perform the Mass ceremony as it is preformed today. It is thought that they ate a communally meal. The early Christians were few, so perhaps it comes as no surprise that they could gather around a single table. This communally meal, in which bread and wine were served to the members sitting around the table, is considered the origin of the Mass ceremony. Later the table became the altar.  This is the significance of the Megiddo prison finding which is considered to be one of the most ancient churches yet to be found. For the first time archeological evidence mentions a table and not an Altar to be used for the communion rite. This may be the origin of the rite, or a transition stage before the table has been transformed to an Altar.

Photo of the table

Again, the significance of the finding of the Megiddo prison is that for the first time there is an objective mention of a table and not an Altar, which sheds light on the origin of the Altar in Christianity. Gathered around the table, the early Christians sat and ate the communally meal, which may be the origin of the Communion ceremony. Archaeological evidence that sheds light on the origin of the Altar and the communion rite, found in a maximum security prison- well you've got yourself another episode of Indiana Jones.

What do you think of the findings as a guide?

I guess many tourist groups will be delighted to pray in the earliest Church in the Holy land, and see the beautiful mosaic. By the way, I understood it has been transferred for restoration. I don’t know if it will be returned or not, as mosaics are usually left in museums, where they are best preserved. After all, the location of the Church in a maximum security prison is a bit troublesome, to say the least. Perhaps the mosaic can be moved and displayed in Tel-Megiddo, half a mile away. Tel-Megiddo is a fascinating site, and I really recommend visiting it. 

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