Although the church in Sardis is strongly criticized in the Book of Revelation, St John makes it clear that not all Christians in the city had failed. A small number of believers remained faithful despite pressure, temptation, and spiritual decline around them. These faithful Christians are described as conquerors. They did not defile their garments, meaning they did not fall into false teachings, idolatry, or moral corruption Unexcavated Remains of Sardis.
Because of their endurance, they are considered worthy of reward. Their reward is to be clothed in white garments, which symbolize purity, victory, and eternal happiness. White clothing was often used in early Christianity to represent the life of the resurrected faithful and their closeness to God.
The Book of Life
St John also promises that the names of these faithful believers will not be erased from the Book of Life. This image appears many times in the Bible and has deep meaning. In the Gospel of Luke (10:20), Jesus tells his disciples to rejoice not because of their power, but because their names are written in heaven. This means they belong to God and are part of His kingdom.
The same idea appears earlier in the Book of Daniel (12:1), where those whose names are written in the book are saved during times of great distress. In the Book of Exodus (32:33), God tells Moses that only those who sin against Him will be removed from His book. The Apostle Paul also mentions the Book of Life in Philippians (4:3).
In the Book of Revelation, this image becomes even more powerful. After the resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgement takes place. According to Revelation 20:15, those whose names are not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire. In contrast, Revelation 21:7 promises that the faithful will inherit eternal life on a new earth. Thus, the Book of Life represents God’s final judgment and the hope of salvation Daily Tour Sofia.
Christian Ruins in Sardis
Archaeological research has revealed important remains connected with early Christianity in Sardis. Several church buildings have been identified in the city. One of the most interesting is a structure known by archaeologists as Church M.
This church is located near the southeastern corner of the Temple of Artemis, one of the largest pagan temples in the ancient world. The church was built to Christianize the pagan temple area and also served as a funerary chapel connected to a nearby cemetery. Access to the church was provided through the southern colonnade of the temple, showing how Christian worship gradually replaced pagan practices.
Architecture of Church M
Church M was a simple apsidal hall with a window in the apse. It also had clerestory windows, which were later filled in. A small door in the north wall led into a courtyard. The floor was made of reused marble slabs, showing the common practice of recycling earlier building materials.
The walls were built of rubble stone with alternating layers of brick. Originally, both the inside and outside walls were plastered and decorated. The altar is especially important: it consisted of a sandstone block placed on a marble support and is considered one of the earliest Christian altars ever discovered.
Coins found outside the courtyard door indicate that the church was built before the year 400. In the sixth century, a larger outer apse with a triforium was added. This later addition included doors leading to a service room and directly toward the cemetery, emphasizing the church’s funerary role.
