Sozopol Becomes World’s Second Jerusalem

Bulgaria’s Black Sea town of Sozopol will now turn into world’s second Jerusalem. Thousands of pilgrims are expected to visit the town also known as ancient Apollonia, if the relics unearthed yesterday at the Sveti Ivan (St. John) island are proven to belong to John the Baptist. A marble reliquary dated 4th – beginning of 5th century was found by the team of Prof. Kazimir Popkonstantinov. The professor is 100 percent sure that the reliquary contains mortal remains of a Christian martyr. Prof. Bozhidar Dimitrov shares the opinion that the relics belong to John the Baptist because the reliquary was immured into the altar of a temple of the same name. The reliquary is sealed with red plaster and has never been opened. A special commission will open it within days and then it will be exhibited in the history museum of Sozopol.