Archaeologists have discovered a fresco depicting Jesus as 'The Good Shepherd' in a 3rd-century tomb near Iznik.

A team of archaeologists has discovered a rare fresco depicting Jesus as 'The Good Shepherd' in an underground tomb from the 3rd century, located near the city of Iznik, where the Nicene Creed was adopted in 325 AD. The fresco shows a young, bearded Jesus, dressed in a toga and carrying a goat on his shoulders, considered a unique example of the representation of Jesus with Roman attributes in Anatolia.

Recently, Pope Leo XIV visited Iznik to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, where the recitation of the Creed, essential for Christianity, took place. During the visit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented the pope with a tile painting representing the discovery of the fresco. The present religious leaders prayed for the unity of Christians, emphasizing the importance of the Creed in their spiritual journey.