An administrative region in northern Pakistan that borders Afghanistan, China and India is home to five of the world’s highest peaks and about 1.3 million mostly Muslim mountain people.
But it once had a strong Christian presence, as evidenced by the discovery of a marble cross researchers believe is more than 1,000 years old, reports the Assyrian International News Agency.
The researchers from the University of Baltistan in Skardu, Pakistan, say it isn’t something that villagers a millennium ago would have casually brought along on their travels. It’s about five feet by six feet and weighs several tons.
AINA reported the three university researchers who were at the site near the village of Kavardo were Muhammad Naeem Khan, vice-chancellor; Zakir Hussain Zakir, director of studies; and Ishtaiq Hussain Maqpoon, head of external relations.
Initial estimates concluded the “Kavardo Cross,” as it is now called, is between 1,000 and 1,200 years old. But the University of Baltistan plans to partner with European and North American institutes and local historians to determine the age.
It’s one of the largest crosses on the Indian subcontinent, according to Wajid Bhatti, another researcher from the University of Baltistan.
The artifact indicating the presence of Christians in the Himalayan region is a delight to the Christian minority in Muslim-majority Pakistan.
“This is really big news for all of us,” Caritas Pakistan general manager Mansha Noor told AINA.
Proposals already are being considered to allow Christians to visit the site, which is near the historic Silk Road.
Béatrice Caseau, a teacher of Byzantine history at Sorbonne University, noted Christianity was brought to the mountainous region by Christian merchants from the Middle East, the report said.
She told AINA there are traces of Christians in the region dating back to the 5th century, before Islam.
The Barnabas Fund, which assists persecuted Christians worldwide, quoted a Pakistani Christian leader saying: “Praise the Lord, this makes me very joyful. It will be a great encouragement to Christians in Pakistan to show that our faith was here many, many generations ago, before Islam came.”
I don’t know what all of the “joy” about finding “traces” of a wiped out Christianity means, but to my mind there is no reason for it.
I agree oldclimer
When GOD wipes out all you non-believers will be a great day for Christians. We will pray for you to find Jesus Christ and know His love for you
When GOD wipes out all you non-believers will be a great day for Christians. We will pray for you to find Jesus Christ and know His love for you Islam is a cult of hatred
there were Christians in many parts of the world killed by non believers
you are correct
Keep an eye on it, or the “Religion of Peace” followers will destroy it.
So are you an atheist
I think this is fascinating. Christianity was apparently far reaching! Loved the article!
I’m a Christian and I’m still here, the last time I checked Jesus is still alive and the Holy Spirit is moving stronger than before. One day every knee will bow and every younger will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King that’s what all the “joy” is about and the fact that they found “traces” of Christianity in that area gives those believers hope. Believe or don’t believe it’s going to happen it’s marked in the Word of God and he is no liar. 😀
🙌🏻
The excitement IS that with the push for every TV show/movie script all have this same BS script which is scoffing at the mere mention of GOD and their heads absolutely explode 🤯 when The Name of JESUS is spoken! So yeah this is just a great big smear in their faces of the non believers and hateful rhetoric towards CHRISTIANS but mums the word against anything Muslim & Muhammad which was a mad man evil killer they actually celebrate and applaud! Freaking crazy to put a stinking dirty mosque at the site of 9-11!!! What a disgusting symbol and disgraceful act towards those that died from the hands of these mass murderers! But you know is so interesting? They planted a sycamore tree in that site…so did the Egyptians when rebuilding their city in the scriptures ‘saying we will rebuild without God’ (the God of David) and that tree wouldn’t grow. Well neither will the sycamore tree on the 9-11 site..all the grass is green around it but it won’t thrive. That is scriptural indeed..
I just had my reply wiped out by this site! It is not unusual that a massive cross was found in what is now a Muslim country. Christianity ✝ was founded over 2,000 yrs. ago by God’s Son, Jesus Christ the 2nd person of the Trinity! Islam has only existed since 600 AD! Created by an Midlle East businessman & conqueror Muhammad who wanted to control most of the area, & designating the Christians, Jews, local annimists, & native people’s living in that part of the world. But soon the time is coming when Christ the Son of God will return & noting can be done to stop Him. No wars, coronavirus, hatred,or desimation of believers. He will return & put this world right. He said there will be “signs & wonders” that happen before His return. This is one of them. And though the world will be on fire from the enemy, yet Christians have been told “to look up for your redemption draws near!” Read John 3:16 while you are able. The Lord Bless You! Other great mysteries will be revealed as well so keep watch for the Lord’s Return. “Every eye shall see Him return!” From every point of the earth & universe! Revelation 1:7.
The world is under siege by the cult–they are turning the Hagia Sophia Basilica in Istanbul Turkey into a Mosque. Christians are still being persecuted around the world by the cult. Finding this ancient symbol of Christianity and knowing more about its history will be interesting.
I Am the Lord and there is none else!
There is no God beside me -Isaiah 45:5
Come, let us reason together –
The Religion of the Jews as written in the Old Testament
combined and superseded by the Religion of Christians
as written in the New Testament, is True Worship to the only
True Creator God of the universe Who teaches us by His
written Word and beautiful Gospel Message of Love and Salvation
that is found only in Jesus Christ
and indwelling of His Holy Spirit!
All other religions are “man-made”
and counterfeit!
Read it for yourselves and may the Lord our God bless you with His Wisdom!