Al-Oqaser : One of the Oldest Churches in the Middle East

As a holy place, Karbala has long been recognized as a centre of civilization and as a site of ancient tradition. Indeed, it is considered one of the world’s most ancient cities Karbala has enjoyed an exalted position in the hearts of all Muslims as the capital of freedom, as an icon of sacrifice, and as the epicentre of revolt against injustice and tyranny, as manifested in the Battle of al-Taff.

Karbala contains many ancient monuments, dating back to pre-Islamic times. A Christian church is one of these antiquities. It is 70 kilometres away from Karbala, 5 kilometres from al-Akhaider Castle and west of al-Razzaza Lake. The church, which is named al-Oqaser, is in an area in the desert called al-Qaseer and contains many antiquities. It is a significant indicator that Karbala and its environs were also considered a holy place in pre-Islamic history.

Description

The church is in design to a castle, but inside contains many images and crosses. There also are Aramaic inscriptions dating back to the fifth century A.D. According to studies carried out by a number of researchers and archaeologists, the church contains many tombs divided into two distinct groups, one for religiously esteemed men and priests, and the other one for ordinary people. The latter set of tombs was 20 metres far from those of the priests.

Upon entering the church, you will see various indicators that it was a place of religious ceremony and worship. The walls were built of mud which included fifteen gates. There are also several towers built of brick and rock. This architecture proves that it is the oldest Eastern church, indicating construction between 460 and 470 A.D., more than 120 years before the advent of Islam. According to authoritative sources and the excavations directed by Mr. Muzaffar in 1976 and 1977, it was found out that the church was a place of pilgrimage for the Christians, who used to visit it every year to commemorate their great priests, and to pray at the altar of the church.

Such discoveries confirm this church, one of the oldest in the Middle East, as an important site of interest for today’s Christians to visit.