Church of St Peter

The St. Peter 's Grotto is a cave church in Turkey, on the road to Syria, near the present city of Antakya, the ancient Antioch on the Orontes. It is the only remaining Christian in Antakya track from antiquity.

Saint Luke is said to have founded this cave church, but it is named after Peter, who ran the Christianization of Asia Minor from Antioch at the forefront.

According to tradition, gathered here the first Christian church to Paul, Barnabas, Peter, and then to the first bishops of the city (Acts 11,19 EU):

" In pursuing that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, the stragglers came, Cyprus, and Antioch; but they preached the word to the Jews only. But some of them, who came from Cyprus and Cyrene, announced when they came to Antioch, and the Greeks the gospel of the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. The news came to the ears of the church of Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and besought them all to remain faithful to the Lord, as they had set out to do. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. Thus, a considerable number was gained for the Lord. Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul. He found him and took him to Antioch. There, they worked together for a full year in the church and taught a large number of people. In Antioch the disciples were called Christians for the first time. In those days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch down. "

The Crusaders, who had conquered Antioch in 1098, the church expanded again to extended it and built a facade. The decaying facade was rebuilt in 1863 by Capuchin monks. The restoration of the church was built by Pope Pius IX. and of Napoleon III. financed.

The stone altar of masonry and an altar plate to have been built in connection with a visit of the Apostle Peter in the Church. The Feast of the fair is celebrated on 21 February in Antakya. The marble statue of St. Peter in an arched niche in the wall above the altar was installed there in 1932. At the small source in the church were held baptisms. On 29 June there is a festival held here every year.

Next to the church is a relief portrait is carved into the rock, which some consider to Charon, the ferryman who brought the dead to Hades. Probably, however, it is the image of a member of the Seleucid dynasty that founded the city.

Two other churches are still used: a Capuchin church at the Kurtuluş Caddesi a Greek Orthodox church near the Rana bridge.

Modern atrium

Interior with portal

Altar with remains of frescoes on the rock wall

Interior with altar