Rare fresco of Jesus as the ‘Good Shepherd’ uncovered in Turkish town visited by the pope

Turkish Archaeologists Uncover Rare Fresco of Jesus as “Good Shepherd” Near Historic Iznik

Archaeologists in northwestern Turkey have made a remarkable discovery that experts are calling one of the most significant finds from Anatolia’s early Christian era: a well-preserved fresco depicting Jesus Christ as the “Good Shepherd.”

The artwork, uncovered in August during an excavation near the town of Iznik, shows a youthful, clean-shaven Jesus dressed in Roman attire—a toga—carrying a goat across his shoulders. What makes this discovery particularly noteworthy is the distinctly Roman attributes given to Jesus, a representation rarely found in Anatolian Christian art.

The fresco was discovered within an underground tomb in the village of Hisardere, dating back to the 3rd century CE. During this period, Christians faced widespread persecution throughout the Roman Empire, making such explicit religious imagery even more significant.

“This might be the only example of its kind in Anatolia,” said Gulsen Kutbay, the lead archaeologist at the site. The Associated Press was granted exclusive first access to the tomb among international media organizations.

The discovery carries additional historical weight due to Iznik’s pivotal role in Christian history. Known in ancient times as Nicaea, the town was where church leaders gathered in 325 CE to formulate the Nicene Creed, a fundamental statement of faith still recited by millions of Christians worldwide.

The underground tomb contains not only the Good Shepherd fresco but also walls and ceiling decorated with intricate bird and plant motifs. Portraits of noble men and women, shown with slave attendants, adorn the walls, offering insights into social structures of the period.

Eren Erten Ertem, an archaeologist from Iznik Museum working at the site, noted that the artwork represents “a transition from late paganism to early Christianity, depicting the deceased being sent off to the afterlife in a positive and fitting manner.”

The excavation also revealed the skeletal remains of five individuals. Anthropologist Ruken Zeynep Kose explained that while poor preservation made it impossible to determine the ages of two of the deceased, the other remains belonged to two young adults and a 6-month-old infant.

The Good Shepherd imagery holds particular significance in early Christian symbolism. Before the cross became Christianity’s universal symbol, the Good Shepherd motif was widely used to express faith, representing divine protection, salvation, and guidance. Despite its importance, few examples of this imagery have been found in Anatolia, making the Hisardere discovery exceptionally valuable to religious historians and archaeologists alike.

The timing of the discovery coincided with Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Iznik last month, where he marked the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. During the visit, which was part of the Pope’s first overseas trip, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented him with a tile painting depicting the Good Shepherd discovery.

At the commemorative event, the Pope was joined by patriarchs and priests from both Eastern and Western churches in a prayer for Christian unity, echoing the original purpose of the historic council.

The region of Anatolia, encompassing much of modern-day Turkey, has been witness to numerous pivotal moments in Christian history. St. Paul was born in Tarsus, St. John spent his final years in Ephesus, and according to some traditions, the Virgin Mary may have lived her last days near Ephesus as well.

This latest discovery adds another layer to the rich tapestry of religious history in the region, offering researchers new insights into the artistic expressions of early Christian communities in Anatolia during a time of religious persecution and transition.