A team of Italian archaeologists believe they have discovered the tomb of Philip, one of Jesus' 12 apostles, at the ancient Asia Minor city of Hierapolis in the Aegean province of Denizli, known today as Pamukkale in Turkey, and are planning to excavate the unopened grave soon.

The discovery of the grave of the New Testament saint, who it is said came to Hierapolis nearly 2,000 years ago to spread the Gospel and was crucified upside down by the Romans, will attract immense attention around the world, said excavator Francesco D'Andria, director of the Institute of Archaeological Heritage, Monuments and Sites at Italy's National Research Council in Lecce.

Philip's tomb has traditionally been associated with the martyrium church built at the site, though no evidence of the ancient burial was ever found. In July, however, D'Andria and his team located a smaller church less than 150 feet away from the martyrium that appears to contain the grave of the apostle.

Apostle Philip's tomb found in Turkey
Credit: Jerusalem Post

Apostle Philip's tomb found in Turkey  By Gil Zohar, Travelujah.com