02.11.2025 19:25
The President of the Vatican, Pope Leo XIII, is expected to visit the district of İznik in Bursa at the end of November, coinciding with the 1700th anniversary of the First Council. Among the artifacts displayed in the historic basilica that Leo will also visit is a curse engraved on a 2,000-year-old marble stone.
It is expected that the spiritual leader of Catholics and the President of the Vatican City, Pope Leo XIII, will visit the basilica located 20 meters off the shore of the lake in Iznik, at a depth of 1.5-2 meters, during the First Council's 1700th anniversary, from November 28 to 30.
ARTIFACTS REMOVED FROM THE BASILICA ARE BEING EXHIBITED FOR THE FIRST TIME
While the Iznik basilica, which opened for visitors the other day, is experiencing a flood of visitors, the artifacts removed from the basilica have started to be exhibited for the first time.
AMONG THEM IS A 2,000-YEAR-OLD CURSE
One of these is the Grave Stele of Aurelia Theodote Diogenes. The stele, marking the grave of a mother and daughter who were killed in the 3rd century AD, states, "Aurelia Theodote Diogenes, who lived in Iznik with her family known for their wisdom, dedicated her life to the creator along with my sweet daughter Aurelia Polychronia, who bought her life. If anyone desecrates this grave, they will account to the creator on the day of judgment. Farewell, Passersby," which drew attention.
PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO SEE THE BASILICA
It has been learned that excavation work will continue at the basilica, where excavation head Prof. Dr. Mustafa Şahin has put in great effort. After the basilica discovered in Iznik was opened to the public, the number of visitors to the basilica is increasing day by day. Some visitors expressed that they came from Izmir and Van to see the basilica.
"IZNIK LAKE IS TRULY UNIQUE WITH ITS HISTORY"
Mustafa Yıldırım, who came from Van, stated, "Now we are following the footprints of the past here, we saw it in the news. The Pope is also coming here, and the 1700th year council took place here. Iznik Lake is truly unique with its history," he expressed.