Church of Lot

　　Introduction       On the slopes of the eastern shore of the Dead Sea lie the ruins of a Byzantine monastery, featuring mosaic floors and stone carvings bearing the name of Lot, hence the name "Church of Lot." Beside the church is a cave believed to be the refuge where the biblical righteous man Lot and his daughters fled after escaping the destruction of the city of Sodom by God. The discovery of the Church of Lot is one of Jordan’s most famous archaeological finds.

　　Biblical Story: In ancient times, there was a city in the region of the Dead Sea called Sodom. Its people were known for their luxury and debauchery, prompting God to decide to punish them. However, God found that there was one righteous man in the city, Lot, who did not deserve to be punished. He sent angels to command Lot to leave the city with his family, warning them not to look back at what would happen behind them, no matter what. Lot and his family left. Not long after, fire rained from the sky, completely destroying Sodom. Out of curiosity, Lot’s wife looked back, and because she disobeyed God’s warning, she was immediately turned into a pillar of salt. Despite the passage of time, she remains standing on the slopes of the eastern shore of the Dead Sea (on a hill near the Ma'in Hot Springs), her head turned as she gazes day and night toward the Dead Sea.

　　 Amman, Jordan