Fire destroys 5th century Holy Land church but preserves church’s mosaic floor

A fire that destroyed a 5th century Holy Land church near the Sea of Galilee around 700 A.D. appears to have preserved the church’s mosaic floor, which includes depictions of baskets, loaves and fish as well as inscriptions. Michael Eisenberg, head of the University of Haifa excavation team, said the mosaics provide insights into the local Christian community of the time. ‘They recognized the places where the various miracles took place,’ he said. (RNS)