Khirbet el-Beiyudat - Church - Bema and Apse

The area is covered by a wide white margin; a cross is placed at the western, northern and southern thresholds. The bema has three layers of mosaic. The first phase has a plain white mosaic, the second phase, 10 cm above it had a new mosaic with only a portion preserved. The center contained a rectangular carpet with an interlaced circle divided into quarters and filled with quadrants. The third final phase consisted of two mosaic panels; one on the apse and the other on the bema. The bema panel (4.6 x 2 m) is surrounded by a double black border, 1-cm-wide, the carpet consists of diamonds which sides are made up of flower buds. Each diamond holds four flower buds in red and black on a white background. The apse panel holds an inscription in a rectangle frame (1.85 x 0.75 m) dedicated to Abbosoubbos and other priests. This inscription and therefore last phase of the mosaic is dated to the fourth year of the indication of the Emperor Flavius Justinus. It is assumed to refer to either the rule of Justin I between 518-527 or to Justin II between the years 565-578. This final mosaic contains two colorful amphorae on either side of the alter., north and south. The southern amphora has two handles and trailing vines in black, red and mustard yellow colors. The northern amphora is done in the same color but has no vines. It is done in the same color scheme but is more elegant in style, it's body less rounded and shoulders less inclined. Likely, different artists worked on each.