"St. Peter's Grotto" in Present Day Antakya, Ancient Antioch

Antioch was an important center in Paul's ministry.  It is mentioned several times in Acts 15 and Acts 18.  The church here is also described in Acts 11: 19 ff, at the time Peter was one of the main movers in the early church.  It was here that disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).

Not much remains of ancient Antioch.  The interesting thing to see is a cave, called St. Peter's Grotto.  The cave is reported to be called "St. Peter's" because it is said that St. Peter had a hand in carving it out of the hillside.  Others dispute that claim.  No matter, this cave is quite a ways up the mountain side and still contains an altar and a statue of St. Peter.  This was a site of early Christian worship, perhaps going back to the times mentioned in Acts 11.

The floor still has some ancient mosaic areas.

Here are some pictures. Again you can see a larger version of the picture by clicking on it.

 The exterior.  The actual entrance is a bit to the left of this picture.

 Her is the altar.  The inscription "A" and "O", are the alpha and omega, Jesus is the beginning and the end.

Our Turkish Guide, Seanan, is in the yellow shirt in the photo of the Statue of St. Peter.


Thanks for stopping by.  I'd welcome your questions for clarification.