The Dura-Europos church is the earliest known Christian house church, which is to say that it was simply a residence that was transformed into a setting appropriate for Christian worship. The Healing of the Paralytic, a fresco found in the third-century Dura-Europos church in Syria, is one of the many early Christian images which represented miracles performed by Jesus. It was a popular motif in Greek sculpture and was known as a moskophoros, or вЂњthe bearer of the calf.вЂќ Seeing this motif appropriated to reflect Christian themes reflects the fact that the Church permeates culture, and its message remains timeless throughout centuries. Although Christianity utilized the image of a Good Shepherd to describe the relationship of Christ to his flock, or his Church, the image of a man bearing either a lamb or a calf is an ancient one. It is a ceiling fresco which dates to the third century, and portrays a remarkably youthful Christ carrying a lamb. This image of Christ as the Good Shepherd was found in the Catacomb of Callistus, an extensive catacomb and burial ground again located in Rome. Philomena were found here as well.) This catacomb also holds many other works of early Christian art, from images of the Annunciation to Christ as the Good Shepherd. The Catacomb of Priscilla, located in Rome, was used for Christian burials in the second through the fourth centuries, and was notable because at least two popes were buried there in addition to many holy Christian martyrs. Cast from a sarcophagus found in the Catacomb of Priscilla, its bold strokes are far beyond its time with respect to artistic style. The structure of this image, with each of the three Magi in line waiting to give their gifts to the Child Jesus, has become a familiar structure in representations of the Adoration of the Magi through the centuries. This image, dating from the third century, is one of the oldest known images of Christ being worshiped by the Magi. Understanding these oldest pictures of Jesus helpВ us see that Christ reveals himself to his Church in a multitude of ways, which allows us to draw closer to Him in our understanding of his presence in the world.

Although there are many familiar examples of modern Christian art, looking to the very first images of Christ in art allows us to see how Christ was perceived by the early church. Art is an amazing way through which we may better pray and contemplate the depths of Christianity.

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