List of Byzantine churches in Amman
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Numerous Byzantine churches were built in Amman, the capital of Jordan, when the city was called Philadelphia during the 6th century AD.[1] Some of the churches were built for this purpose, while others were repurposed from earlier structures or Roman temples.[1]
Christianity had already reached east of the Jordan River, particularly the cities of the Decapolis, with the preachings of Paul the Apostle in the early first century AD.[1] Christian communities had also existed in the Transjordan region, such as the Jerusalemites who had fled to Pella in the late first century AD.[1] However, there is no evidence of early Christianity in Philadelphia during the first three centuries AD.[1]
In the fourth century AD, evidence of Christianity in Philadelphia appears in martyrdom stories.[1] On 5 August 303 AD, six Christian friends who met for private worship in an unidentified city in Arabia were transported to Philadelphia and executed there on orders of the Roman governor Maximus in an episode of what became known as the Diocletian persecution.[1] Another narrative cites the killing of two native Philadelphian Christians by Maximus in June 304 AD, as well as the killing of Saint Elianus in the city.[1]
Several Byzantine buildings in Amman have been identified as churches, including two in the valley, one near the Nymphaeum, and another near the main colonnaded street,[1] while a sixth-century church was found atop the Citadel Hill.[1]
Other churches found within the city's territory include a sixth-century structure uncovered in Sweifieh and a Roman temple-turned church at Kherbet Al-Souq.[1][2] Sixth-century churches have also been uncovered in Jubeiha, Yadudah, and Luweibdeh.[1][2]
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