Editing Shivta (section)

== The Armenian Graffito from the Southern Church of Shivta ==
The Armenian Graffito from the Southern Church of Shivta is a significant archaeological find. It is believed to have been created by an Armenian pilgrim during the [[Byzantine period|Byzantine]] and [[Early Islamic period|Early Islamic]] periods.<ref>{{cite book |title=Ronny R EICH and Eli S HUKRON , "The Western Extramural Quarter of ByzantineJerusalem", in: Michael E. S TONE , Roberta E RVINE and Nira S TONE (eds.), The Armenians in Jerusalem and the Holy Land , Leuven, Peeters, 2002, 193-201; Michael E. S TONE , Doron B EN -A MI and Yana T CHEKHANOVETS , "New Armenian Inscriptions from the Cityof David, Jerusalem", Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies 23 (2014) 149-152; I D .,"Armenian Graffito from the City of David, Jerusalem", REArm 37 (2016-2017) 283-286.}}</ref> This graffito is one of many such inscriptions found along pilgrimage routes, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, where large groups of Armenian pilgrims traveled in the sixth and seventh centuries.
The Armenian graffito inscription is carved into a hewn stone measuring 0.25 by 0.5 meters. It is located on the eastern side of the apse, specifically on the eighth row of stones, at a height of 2.8 meters above the church floor. The graffito is 0.24 meters wide, with letters standing at a height of 0.17 meters. The inscription consists of only two uncial letters: Բ (B) and Ա (A).

Armenian graffiti have also been found in other holy sites, including the [[Church of the Nativity|Nativity Church]] in [[Bethlehem]], the Holy Sepulchre Church, and the sanctuaries of the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem. These inscriptions are dated to the Crusader period and later, indicating the continued pilgrimage of Armenians to the Holy Land.

The presence of Armenian graffiti at Shivta is intriguing, as the site had lost its significance as a pilgrimage station by the time the graffito was created. This suggests that the tradition of veneration at Shivta may have persisted among Armenians, and that they may have preferred less-traveled routes for their pilgrimage journeys.

Overall, the Armenian Graffito from Shivta provides valuable insight into the pilgrimage routes and practices of Armenians in the Holy Land, connecting major holy sites in central and northern Palestine with the [[Sinai Peninsula]].<ref>{{cite book |title="Le texte grec des récits du moine Anastase sur les saints pères duSinaï"}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Yana TCHEKHANOVETS, Yotam TEPPER, Guy BAR-OZ |url=https://www.academia.edu/35320887 |title=The Armenian Graffito from the Southern Church of Shivta |page=446-454}}</ref>