Embrace Sacred Places
Cave Churches of Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey
The Cave Churches of Goreme in Cappadocia were initially created in the 4th century according to UNESCO - by anchorites (Christian
hermits).However, some caves had been occupied by people who were not Christian even earlier. Roman persecution of Christians (on and
off) is considered to have lasted until 313 A.D. (C.E.) with the Edict of Milan but some of the worst persecutions were initiated in 303 A.D. not
long before Christianity was legalized. It is not known why Christians decided to live in caves and to have cave churches, which took a great
deal of work. It would have been easier to build with timber or rocks. It is surmised by many, that they afforded a safe place to hide, when
leaving Roman controlled areas.