Hierapolis
“Sacred city”
Summary
Hierapolis was a city in Phrygia where a Christian church was established, known for its remarkable hot mineral springs and as a center of ancient nature worship.
☩Location and Physical Features
Hierapolis was situated on a broad terrace in the mountain range skirting the north side of the Lycus valley, with Laodicea visible six miles to the south and Colossae hidden from view twelve miles to the southeast. The city was famous for its remarkable hot mineral springs strongly impregnated with alite, whose deposits created dramatic snow-white incrustations resembling 'an immense frozen cascade.' A mephitic cavern called the Plutonium, from which poisonous vapors issued, was connected with the ancient worship of Cybele.
☩The Church at Hierapolis
Hierapolis is mentioned in Scripture only in Colossians 4:13, where Epaphras is commended for his great zeal and labor for the saints there. The church was probably founded at the same time as those at Colossae and Laodicea, during Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus when all Asia heard the word of the Lord. In such an environment of deep-rooted native superstition and ancient nature worship, Christianity faced significant challenges.
☩Later Christian History
Trustworthy tradition connects the apostle Philip with Hierapolis, where according to Polycrates he was buried along with his two virgin daughters. Theodoret reports that Philip controverted the error of the Phrygians there. The progress of Christianity was represented as victory over the serpent of Aesculapius, identified with Satan. Hierapolis was made a metropolis by Justinian, and its extensive and well-preserved ruins include a magnificent theatre and three Christian churches.
Related Verses1 mention
Colossians· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hierapolis," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Hierapolis," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hierapolis," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).